November 17-18, 2005
Present:
Mona D. Albertine, Rector
Randall R. Eley (Friday)
Elizabeth F. Foster
Benjamin W. Hernandez
Elizabeth S. Hughes
Martha K. Leighty (Friday)
J. William Poole
Patricia B. Revere
Nanalou W. Sauder
Daniel K. Steen
Fred D. Thompson, Jr.
Also Present:
Rosemary Barra, Vice President for Academic Affairs
William M. Anderson, Jr., President
Meta R. Braymer, Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies
Gail D. Brooks, College of Graduate and Professional Studies Faculty Representative
Mary Randolph Corbin, Executive Assistant to the President
Richard V. Hurley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Terry L. Luttrell, Clerk of the Board
Denis Nissim-Sabat, Mary Washington College Faculty Representative
Frank Puleo, Student Government Association President
Ronald E. Singleton, Senior Vice President for Advancement and College Relations
Absent:
Karen C. Radley
The Rector, Ms. Albertine, convened the meeting of the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors at 8:00 p.m. in the Minor Board Room of the Jepson Alumni Executive Center, following a tour of the James Monroe Museum and dinner.
Historic Properties Committee
Ms. Pat Revere, Vice Chair of the Historic Properties Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Ms. Joanna Catron, Curator of Belmont, reported on current activities at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, calling attention to the new identity for Belmont; the new name and logo became official on November 1, 2005. The repainting of the main house in new, Melchers-era colors was completed on time; the blue doors were hand-painted using traditional period techniques and materials. A study revealed that the previously black doors were painted blue under 17 generations of paint, reflecting the Melchers’s long association with Holland; it is the same blue used in his paintings.
Ms. Catron lamented the slow pace of construction of the Studio addition, which has become costly due to delayed planned exhibits and special events, and increased the storage cost for Melchers’s paintings. However, shop sales have increased 40% from this time one year ago.
Mr. John Pearce, Director of James Monroe Museum, thanked Board members for visiting the Museum, where they were shown part of the costume collection to emphasize both its value and the dangerous storage conditions. He used PowerPoint to report on recent activities at the Museum, including an exhibit in the UMW Ridderhof Martin Gallery titled “The Laurance Gouverneur Hoes Collections of the James Monroe Museum” that showcased many items for which there is no space to exhibit in the Museum. The 16th Annual Fredericksburg Welsh Festival was held in the block in front of the Museum to celebrate Monroe’s Welsh heritage, and attended this year by 125 members of the Clan Monro, USA. Mr. Pearce also presented three resolutions for approval of loans from the Museum.
Following the Historic Properties Committee meeting, the Rector provided an update on activities of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which met on October 14 to review more than one hundred applications with the search consultants from Korn/Ferry. Eleven candidates were invited for confidential, off-campus interviews.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Following breakfast, the Rector reconvened the meeting at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2005. She recognized Mr. Jack Knight, Assistant Attorney General, and congratulated him on the birth of his son. She also congratulated the Governor and the citizens of the Commonwealth on the reappointment of William Leighty as Chief of Staff.
Academic Affairs Committee
Ms. Nanalou Sauder, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Dr. Andrew S. Dolby, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, presented information on his Jepson Fellows project titled “Avian Mating Tactics” using gray catbirds as the subject since they are abundant on campus and amenable to testing by students.
Dr. John T. Morello, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, recommended five faculty members to the Board for approval to serve as Jepson Fellows in 2006-07. He explained that the Jepson Fellows program provides a competitive opportunity for faculty members to complete a sustained research project that has a direct impact on UMW students and the courses taught.
Dr. Denis Nissim-Sabat, Professor of Psychology and President of the Faculty Senate, reported on issues discussed at the meeting between the Faculty Affairs Committee and the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors, and on three motions presented at the recent Faculty Senate meeting, none of which require Board action. Dr. Nissim-Sabat distributed a chart showing the escalated cost of housing in the Fredericksburg region from 1998 to 2005, noting that this has become a deterrent to hiring new faculty, and discussed a motion passed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Compensation Issues, expressing concern for the lowest-paid classified employees. Ms. Sauder and Mr. Eley reminded Dr. Nissim-Sabat that the Board and the President have already declared their support for increased compensation for this group of workers in the next fiscal year. Ms. Albertine commended Mr. Hurley on the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, and stated that President Anderson has supported the committee recommendations in a responsible manner as his first priority, in spite of an outrageous headline in the local newspaper and the grandstanding of one committee member. Ms. Leighty questioned why the Faculty Senate is addressing classified-employee issues, and Dr. Anderson pointed out that the Office of Human Resources has advisory committees on which classified employees are represented.
On motion by Ms. Sauder, seconded by Ms. Revere, and agreed to by all Board members, they went into Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for Personnel. Everyone with the exception of President Anderson, Dr. Barra and Dr. Braymer left the room. At the end of the discussion, on motion by Mr. Poole, seconded by Ms. Revere, and agreed to by all Board members, they came out of Closed Meeting.
In compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Ms. Sauder made a motion, seconded by Ms. Revere, to adopt the Certification of Closed Meeting that was read and is attached to these minutes as Appendix A. Ms. Sauder called the roll to ascertain whether each member was in agreement with the Certification that the purpose of the Closed Meeting had been strictly adhered to. All members were in agreement, except Ms. Radley who was absent from the meeting.
Graduate & Professional Studies Committee
Mr. Bill Poole, Chair of the Graduate & Professional Studies Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Ms. Gail D. Brooks, Program Director for Computer Technology and Information Security and College of Graduate & Professional Studies Faculty Representative to the Board, reported on two new courses in the MBA program and one in CIS, as well as three other programs under consideration. She presented a resolution for Board approval to change the title of a concentration in the BPS program from Computer Technology to Computer Information Systems, which is considered a more accurate description that is more readily understood by students and employers.
Dr. Meta Braymer, Vice President for Graduate & Professional Studies and Dean of the Faculty, reported on the 2005 Summer Session at the College of Graduate & Professional Studies, which generated $114,786 more in revenu
e than the previous year. She introduced Dr. Jeanie Pollard Kline, the new Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and reported that the women’s Leadership Colloquium had the largest participation since its inception in 1994.
Dr. Martin A. Wilder, Jr., Vice President for Enrollment, reported on the enrollment growth at CGPS, noting the upward in the MBA, BPS, and MEd programs. He also provided a profile of the adult students, whose average GPA at their enrollment is over 3.0 in the BPS, MBA, and MEd programs, and whose ethnicity is more diverse than that of the students on the Fredericksburg campus.
Alumni and University Relations Committee
Ms. Betsy Hughes, Chair of the Alumni and University Relations Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Ms. Cynthia L. Snyder, Director of Alumni Relations, reported on recent activities of the Alumni Association. She noted that the Jepson Alumni Executive Center has become the center of activity for Homecoming, as young alumni see it as their symbolic home. Leather-like coasters with the Alumni Association’s Web address were distributed at Homecoming and to the Board of Visitors. Ms. Snyder noted that the quarterly electronic newsletters now reach 40% of alumni. She mentioned that Lynn Munroe Bragg served as the UMW Executive-in-Residence this semester.
Dr. Ronald E. Singleton, Senior Vice President for Advancement and University Relations, reported on UMW Foundation fund-raising efforts, noting that both total and unrestricted giving exceed the amounts recorded at this time last year. Dr. Singleton also mentioned that Goodman and Company completed their audit for the Foundation and issued a clean report.
Mr. Jeff Rountree, Vice President for University Development, reported on planned giving and on grant proposals filed by the UMW Office of Foundation and Government Grants. He distributed a membership list of foundations that have been or will be contacted for external grant and research funding, and asked Board members to note any members they know and would be willing to contact in support of a UMW proposal. Mr. Rountree presented three resolutions for approval of two scholarships and a memorial bench.
Student Affairs Committee
Ms. Marti Leighty, Chair of the Student Affairs Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Mr. Frank Puleo, Student Government Association President, provided an update on SGA activities including their goals to integrate the two campuses and to create a Spring Spirit Week as a new tradition to complement the fall Homecoming celebration. He also reported on online voting for student government positions, and the record number of cases reviewed by the Judicial Review Board.
Dr. Barra provided an update on the work of the Honor Constitution Review Committee, distributing a copy of proposed revisions to Article III, Section 4B, which details the entries on the student’s official academic record when sanctioned at an Honor Hearing. The proposal would remove the notations for community service and probation at the time of the student’s graduation from the University. This revision will be presented to the Honor Council and the student body in the spring to amend the Honor Constitution. Ms. Albertine commended the work of the Review Committee.
A written update on Student Affairs was provided in the Board’s advance materials.
Audit and Finance Committee
Mr. Fred Thompson, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Ms. Helen C. Vanderland, Director of Internal Audit, and Ms. Louise B. Welch, IT Audit Manager, used PowerPoint to present the structure and function of the UMW Internal Audit Department and their auditing backgrounds for the benefit of new Board members. Ms. Vanderland presented a resolution for Board approval to accept the 2005-06 audit plan and goals and objectives.
Mr. Hurley distributed and reviewed the University financial report for the period ending October 31, 2005, noting no unusual revenue or expense variances after four months into the fiscal year.
Mr. Hurley discussed the advantages and disadvantages of spending $20 million to construct a convocation center that will seat 2,600 versus $30 million to seat 4,500, and presented a recommendation from the Finance Committee to build the $20 million facility. While Board members recognized the need for a convocation center to meet athletic and recreational scheduling needs and to compete for high-achieving applicants, they agreed that the smaller size is typical for an institution of UMW’s size, and noted that even the larger size could not accommodate an indoor commencement ceremony. With the Board’s approval, Mr. Hurley will renegotiate a contract with the architects for more detailed plans and cost estimates for the smaller facility. The completion date will move from fall 2008 to spring 2009.
On motion by Ms. Sauder, seconded by Mr. Thompson, and agreed to by all Board members, they went into Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for Personnel. Everyone with the exception of Mr. Hurley left the room. At the end of the discussion, on motion by Mr. Poole, seconded by Ms. Revere, and agreed to all Board members, they came out of Closed Meeting.
In compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Ms. Sauder made a motion, seconded by Mr. Poole, to adopt the Certification of Closed Meeting that was read and is attached to these minutes as Appendix B. Ms. Sauder called the roll to ascertain whether each member was in agreement with the Certification that the purposes of the Closed Meeting had been strictly adhered to. All members were in agreement, except for Ms. Leighty and Ms. Radley who were absent.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Mr. Randall Eley, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, introduced the following presenters:
Mr. John Wiltenmuth, Associate Vice President for Facilities Services, provided the following update on campus construction projects:
Belmont Phase II – continuing work on the interior
Belmont Roof – revising plans for BCOM review
Seacobeck – work in kitchen area started in September
Indoor Tennis Courts – complete
Stafford Campus, building #2 – steel framing started in October
Lee Hall Renovation – coordinating relocation issues
Bell Tower – reviewing drawings; construction to begin following commencement
Dodd Refurbishing – complete
Parking Deck – preparing site
Academic Building Renovations – preliminary plans approved by BCOM
Mr. Hurley informed the Board that mold has been discovered in the basement of George Washington Hall. Employees will be relocated during its removal. Emergency funding in the amount of $1.5 million has been requested from the State; in the meantime, University funds will be used to correct the problem.
Student Affairs Committee continued
Mr. B-J Huff, Honor Council President, provided an update on Honor Council activities, noting a wide array of opinions among Council members regarding the recommendations proposed by the Honor Constitution Review Committee. He explained that two new committees have been formed within the Council, the Report Committee, which reports to the Faculty Senate, and the Education Committee, formed to educate students and new faculty on the Honor System and process. Mr. Huff reviewed events held during Honor Awareness Week, and responded to questions from Board members regarding outstanding honor cases.
Board Actions
Rector Albertine acknowledged the reporters from the Free Lance-Star and the Bullet. She entertained a motion for approval of the minutes. On motion by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Steen, the minutes from the October 6, 2005, meeting of the Audit and F
inance Committee were approved by members of the Committee.
On motion by Ms. Albertine and seconded by Ms. Revere, the minutes from the September 16-17, 2005, Board meeting was approved as distributed.
On motion by Ms. Revere and seconded by Ms. Hughes, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the loan of a Nelly Custis Lewis dress to the George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation for the period March 1 – April 30, 2006, is hereby approved:
JM76.10 Gown originally owned by Nelly Custis Lewis
On motion by Ms. Revere and seconded by Mr. Eley, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the loan of nine items to the Virginia Historical Society for the period January 23 – August 11, 2006, for their exhibition “Virginia’s Diplomats,” is hereby approved:
JM76.72 Cockade
JM76.73 Badge
JM76.194 Miniature of James Monroe
JM76.222 Presentation Tray
JM76.313 Watch
JM76.201 Bouillote Table
JM76.65 Dispatch Box
JM76.19 a-b Ceremonial Court Rapier
JM76.219
and .220 Habit a la Francaise
On motion by Ms. Revere and seconded by Ms. Hughes, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the loan of five items to Monticello (The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation), for the period
December 1, 2005 – March 10, 2006, for their exhibit “A Society to Our Taste,” is hereby approved:
JM76.113 a-h James Monroe’s shaving kit
JM76.218 James Monroe’s riding gloves
JM76.105 a-j Elizabeth Monroe’s necessaire
JM76.101 a-f Elizabeth Monroe’s aquamarine earrings
JM76.79 Elizabeth Monroe’s coral tiara
On motion by Ms. Sauder and seconded by Ms. Foster, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the following individuals are appointed Jepson Fellows for the 2006-2007 academic year:
Stephen J. Farnsworth, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Affairs; “The Nightly News Nightmare (second edition)”
Christofer C. Foss, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Linguistics, and Speech; “A New Edition of Toru Dutt’s Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan”
Elizabeth F. Lewis, Associate Professor, Department of Modern Foreign Languages; “The Concept of Caridad in the Literature of Spain: Origins, Expressions, and Applications”
Keith Mellinger, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics; “New Classes of Optical Orthogonal Codes from Finite Geometry”
Jennifer A. Polack Wahl, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science; “Designing Computer Technology Learning Modules in the K-12 Curriculum”
On motion by Ms. Sauder and seconded by Mr. Poole, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the Personnel Docket, Part I, dated November 18, 2005, is hereby approved.
On motion by Mr. Poole and seconded by Ms. Revere, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the change of title from Computer Technology to Computer Information Systems (CIS) is hereby approved and will be effective Fall 2006.
On motion by Ms. Hughes and seconded by Ms. Leighty, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the Fredericksburg Chapter Local Area Scholarship is established. The selection of recipients will be guided by the following criteria:
Selection of Recipient
- The scholarship shall be awarded annually to a student with demonstrated financial need.
- Preference shall be given to a student from the City of Fredericksburg or any of the following counties: Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline or King George.
- Selection of the recipient shall be made by the Associate Dean for Financial Aid.
- In the event that no applicant completely meets the above criteria, the University will be permitted to award the scholarship to the student most closely meeting the spirit of the criteria.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board wishes to express its appreciation to the Fredericksburg Chapter of the UMW Alumni Association for its generosity in establishing this scholarship to assist deserving students from Fredericksburg and the surrounding areas. Members of the chapter have fond memories of their time at the University and wish to provide similar experiences to future alumni.
On motion by Ms. Hughes and seconded by Ms. Leighty, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the Jeremiah Von Poyck Memorial Bench is hereby established. The following terms are based on the Donor Recognition Policy for Campus Facilities and University Programs that was approved by the UMW Board of Visitors.
- The bench will be placed along a sidewalk on the campus of the University of Mary Washington’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
- A plaque that is permanently affixed to the bench will read:
In loving memory of
Jeremiah Von Poyck
June 17, 1983 – March 27, 2004
Son of Art and Lynne Poyck - Family members and friends have made sufficient gifts to fully endow the memorial. The donations will be applied to the cost of creating a plaque, purchasing a bench, and landscaping the area around the bench as needed. After these costs have been deducted from the original donation, the remaining balance will remain in the Campus Bench Memorial Fund and will be used to maintain the memorial in perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board expresses its deep appreciation to Elizabeth Zelinka and Kevin Poyck, children of Marjorie M. Poyck ’66, and friends for their generosity in establishing this lasting tribute to Jeremiah Von Poyck.
On motion by Ms. Hughes and seconded by Ms. Foster, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the Mary Page Williams Walden ’69 Scholarship is established. The selection of recipients will be guided by the following criteria:
Selection of Recipient
- The scholarship shall be awarded to a freshman with demonstrated financial need and shall be renewable provided the student remains in good academic standing.
- Preference shall be given to a student from the Southwestern region of Virginia, specifically any of the following counties or towns or cities incorporated within the counties: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Roanoke, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise or Wythe.
- Selection of the recipient shall be made by the Associate Dean for Financial Aid.
- I
n the event that no applicant completely meets the above criteria, the University will be permitted to award the scholarship to the student most closely meeting the spirit of the criteria.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Walden for their generosity in establishing this scholarship. Mary Page Williams Walden graduated from Mary Washington College in 1969 with a major in sociology. She values her experience at Mary Washington College and wishes to assist students who are entering the University.
On motion by Ms. Hughes and seconded by Ms. Leighty, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the presentation of two Washington Medallions is hereby approved, effective December 9, 2005.
On motion by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Poole, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the Audit Plan and Goals and Objectives for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006, are hereby approved as presented.
On motion by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Ms. Hughes, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the project budget for the Convocation Center be established at $20 million dollars.
On motion by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Ms. Revere, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington that the recommended salary for the President, effective November 25, 2005, be $291,058 which includes a salary supplement of $162,598 from nonState funds.
Rector’s Remarks
Ms. Albertine thanked the Board for their time and reminded them of dinner at Brompton at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Poole commended Ms. Albertine for all of her hard work as Rector of the Board.
Adjournment
There being no further items on the agenda, in compliance with Article VI of the Bylaws, the Rector declared the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.