The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in the Board Room of Madison’s Festival Conference and Student Center.

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

• Approved the Sept. 14, 2018, Board of Visitors meeting minutes;
• Accepted committee reports from the Advancement, Athletics, Academic & Student Life, and Finance & Physical Development committees;
• Received a report on the College of Health and Behavioral Studies from Dr. Sharon Lovell, dean of the college;
• Approved changes to the faculty handbook;
• Approved a resolution encouraging the use of open educational resources;
• Approved a resolution outlining a Level III management agreement;
• Met in closed session;
• Approved the purchase of real property:
  • 705 Oak Hill Drive for $278,500;
  • 217 Port Republic Road for $150,000.

Was told by President Alger during his President’s Report:

• The university successfully launched the public phase of its $200 million comprehensive campaign during Homecoming;
• Joseph (’76, ‘77M) and Pamela Craun (’77) Damico have donated $1 million to create an endowed chair in the Exceptional Education program;
• Eric (’91) and Lara Parker (’92) Major have donated to name the College of Business’ laboratory for Innovation, Collaboration, Creativity and Entrepreneurship;
• The Gilliam family has committed to a $5.2 million gift to name the Center for Entrepreneurship in honor of the late Leslie Flanary Gilliam (’82), a former member of the Board of Visitors and co-founder of Women for Madison;
• The university will hold a number of regional campaign events in areas including Richmond, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and New York;
• A groundbreaking ceremony was held during Homecoming for the new College of Business Learning Complex;
• The university has begun the process of updating the current strategic plan which culminates in 2020;
• JMU hosted the Engagement for the Public Good conference at the Hotel Madison Nov. 7-9;
• Best-selling author John Grisham hosted author and musician James McBride at the inaugural John Grisham Writer’s Hour in October;
• The Madison Vision Series recently hosted two former members of Congress, one Democrat and one Republican, to discuss the current political climate;
• JMU’s partnership with the Republic of Kosovo continues to flourish through mutual exchanges and attendance of administrators, faculty and alumni at an innovation conference in Kosovo;
• Volleyball is currently tied for first place in the CAA;
• Women’s soccer was the regular season CAA champion and coach Josh Walters was named CAA Coach of the Year. Five players earned All-CAA honors;
• Men’s soccer was the regular season CAA champion and will host the CAA tournament. Coach Paul Zazenski was named CAA Coach of the Year while nine players earned All-CAA honors;
• Searches for deans of the College of Business, College of Education, and Libraries and Educational Technology are progressing;
• The Virginia Council of Presidents expects issues of affordability and access to be prominent in the General Assembly;
• JMU was named the most recommended university in the United States by the Times of Higher Education / Wall Street Journalbased on a national survey of more than 200,000 students.