The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, June 4, 2004, in the Board Room of JMU's College Center. Following is a summary of actions taken by the board and key areas of discussion at the board meeting: 

• Approved a $268.9 million operating budget for 2004-05. The new budget represents an 11 percent — or $26.7 million — increase over the 2003-04 budget of $242.2 million. The largest portion of the budget, $142 million, will go for educational and general programs — those directly or indirectly involving academic programs. Another $92 million will go toward auxiliary enterprises — self-supported functions that provide a variety of services for students.
• Approved a proposal from the university's administration to provide additional salary for faculty and staff above the 3 percent increase approved by the Virginia General Assembly. The supplemental increases provided by JMU, which will go to faculty and staff demonstrating satisfactory performance, will range from 1 to 3 percent.
• Approved a bachelor of science program in biotechnology, which will get under way this fall. The program will be one of a few in the country and the first of its type in Virginia.
• Agreed to a request to establish a new College of Fine and Performing Arts. The new college will be formed from a number of programs that are currently part of the College of Arts and Letters. They include the School of Art and Art History, the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance.
• Re-elected Joseph C. Farrell of Harrisonburg as board rector and Donna L. Harper of Harrisonburg as board secretary. Charles H. Foster Jr. of Richmond was elected vice rector, succeeding William S. Jasien of Clifton. Jasien has completed two four-year terms on the board and is ineligible for re-appointment.
• Passed a resolution praising the board service of Jasien and Pablo Cuevas of Broadway, another board member who has served two four-year terms and cannot be re-appointed.
• Was told that the board's Education and Student Life Committee had held lengthy discussions on concern over faculty salaries and on local law enforcement practices involving JMU students. No committee action was taken.
• Heard a report from Dr. Lee G. Sternberger, assistant vice president for academic affairs, on the university's global education programs.
• Was told by President Linwood H. Rose:
  • That JMU had again met all the management standards established for state colleges and universities. The standards require solid financial practices, proper audits, correct financial reporting standards and attainment of standards for accounts receivable and accounts payable.
  • That Georgia State University in Atlanta has joined JMU's intercollegiate athletic conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, and Northeastern University in Boston is expected to agree shortly to an offer to join the CAA. With the addition of Northeastern, the CAA will start a football conference in the near future.
  • Cited three JMU coaches who have been recognized for outstanding achievement: Paul Gooden, CAA women's golf coach of the year; Bob Ryder, National Archery Association Coach of the Year; and Kellie Young, whose lacrosse team reached the national quarterfinals.