The James Madison University Board of Visitors met Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, 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 April 26, 2019, Board of Visitors meeting minutes;
• Accepted committee reports from the Advancement, Athletics, Academics & Student Life, Audit and Finance & Physical Development committees;
• Approved two easements for road improvements and utility work;
• Received a report on the College of Arts and Letters from Dr. Robert Aguirre, dean of the college;
• Approved the Six-Year Plan to be submitted to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; Met in closed session;
• Approved the purchase of real property:
  • 735 S. Main Street for $1.4 million.

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

• The Madison Plan is being reviewed and updated;
• Some key challenges and trends facing higher education:
  • Value propositions;
  • Declining trust in expertise and institutions;
  • Student safety and well-being;
  • Enrollment, demographics, diversity
• JMU is responding to challenges and trends:
  • Focus on intellectual skills and action;
  • Increased emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving;
  • New academic programs that respond to emerging needs;
  • Internship and hands-on experiences;
  • Career and academic planning;
  • Community and civic engagement;
  • “Anchor” institution model;
  • Fostering an environment that values and shares different perspectives through civil discourse;
  • Increased counseling staff;
  • Creation of new programs like Madison Cares, Rebound;
  • Continued focus on safety and prevention;
  • Increased outreach and recruitment efforts;
  • Focus on financial aid and scholarships;
  • Continued emphasis on raising JMU’s national profile and name recognition;
  • Programs to recruit and retain first-generation and disadvantaged students;
  • Expansion of graduate, adult-degree and certificate programs;
  • Recommendations from the Task Force on Inclusion;
• Introduced new campus leadership:
  • Bethany Nowviskie, dean of Libraries;
  • Mark L’Esperance, dean of the College of Education;
  • Jack Knight, university counsel;
  • Bob Klein, American Council on Education fellow.