The James Madison University Board of Visitors met on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Board Room of the JMU Festival Conference and Student Center.

The following is a summary of key areas of discussion at the board meeting:

• Received the president’s report from Mr. Jonathan Alger during which the board was told:
  • JMU received 25,029 applications and welcomed 4,525 freshmen and 800 new graduate students to campus this fall;
  • Cynthia Bauerle will serve as the new dean of the College of Science and Mathematics;
  • JMU participated in the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education survey;
  • JMU was cited as one of the most innovative schools in the South by U.S. News & World Report's 2017 Best Colleges rankings (#3; top public institution);
  • JMU held its place as #2 public regional university in the South, and ranked #8 in the South overall.
  • Money Magazine named JMU among its top 50 (#39) Best Colleges for Business Majors;
  • The Economics program was ranked #2 in the Southeast by Economics Bulletin in our category;
  • JMU Nursing won the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s “Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award;”
  • Keston Fulcher, Director of the Center for Assessment and Research Studies, was appointed to the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) Advisory Panel;
  • Gina McDonald, professor of Chemistry, received the American Chemical Society Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences;
  • The provost search committee is making progress;
  • JMU is participating in a number of national leadership programs including the ACE Fellowship and NCAA Pathways programs;
  • John Bridgeland, founder and CEO of Civic Enterprises, was the Madison Vision Series speaker on Constitution Day;
  • JMU has created and filled three positions for University Engagement Fellows.  The fellows are serving with Valley Scholars, Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services, and the Department of History and the Montpelier Estate;
  • President Alger has been named to the Campus Compact board of directors;
  • More than 5,000 students participated in the Block Party in the ‘Burg as part of 1787 Orientation;
  • Melissa Lubin is now serving as Associate Vice President of Outreach and Engagement;
  • The university conducted voter registration in the residence halls and will host an election watch party;
  • The next Madison Vision Series will be a debate of issues facing the next president and will be held on Nov. 2;
  • The Valley Scholars program now includes three cohorts;
  • JMU is hosting a summit in Washington, D.C. with education partners from Kosovo from Oct. 17 – 20.
  • Received a state budget update from Mr. Charles King, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration;
  • Received a report on 2016-2017 goals from Dr. Brian Charette, Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning and Engagement;
  • Received a report about the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery from Dr. Ken Rutherford, Director. 

The Board of Visitors took the following actions:

• Approved the minutes of the June 3, 2016 meeting;
• Approved an easement to allow construction of the Hotel Madison;
• Approved a resolution for approval of the construction procurement delivery approval procedures for capital project delivery;
• Approved the six-year institutional plan;
• Approved the purchase of real property at 708 Locust Hill Drive for $360,000.