The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, September 26, 2014, in the Board Room of Madison’s Festival Conference and Student Center.

Following is a summary of actions taken by the board and key areas of discussion at the board meeting: 

• Toured the Student Success Center;
• Approved the June 6, 2014 BOV meeting minutes;
• Accepted committee reports from Advancement, Athletics, Audit, Education & Student Life, and Finance & Physical Development;
• Approved differential tuition for nursing courses;
• Approved the creation of a masters program in sport and recreation management;
• Approved the issuance of bonds for the UREC expansion project;
• Approved the purchase of three streets, one alley and granted several easements;
• Received the President’s Report presented by President Jonathan Alger;
• Received a report on performance measures presented by Dr. Mark Warner, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs & University Planning;
• Received the 2014-15 budget update presented by Mr. Charles King, Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance;
• Met in Closed Session;
• Approved the following real estate purchases:
  • 700 Hickory Hill Drive for $305,000
  • 701 Hickory Hill Drive for $322,500

Was told by President Jonathan Alger:

• that the Student Success Center has been completed, and other capital projects are on track;
• that Virginia Supreme Court Justice William Mims appeared on campus September 17 to present the first lecture in this academic year’s Madison Vision Series;
• that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) held its annual joint meeting with the Council of Presidents at JMU September 15 and 16;
• provided an update on the Madison Collaborative Ethical Reasoning in Action;
• that the Office of International Programs is celebrating 35 years of international education at JMU;
• that the Valley Scholars Program held its kick off event September 13 for the initial cohort of 35 students from middle schools in Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah and Augusta counties and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro.  The event was open to the students’ families as well;
• that the Furious Flower Conference Seeding the Future of African American Poetry is being held on campus September 24-27.  The conference, held every 10 years, is drawing guests to JMU from across the country;
• that several students and faculty at JMU were recognized for their academic achievements;
• that Dr. Yvonne Harris has begun serving as JMU’s Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship, and that Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Operations at Virginia State University in Petersburg, is residing on campus for a year while she completes a year of professional development as an American Council on Education Fellow;
• that he’ll be touring to discuss The Madison Plan with JMU’s constituents throughout Virginia and beyond.  His presentation of the strategic plan will illustrate how JMU is positioned to become the national model of the engaged university.