Christopher Newport University
Board of Visitors Meeting
April 30, 2003

The Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University met on April 30, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. at Christopher Newport University in the Alumni Room of the Student Center, with Rector Robert L. Freeman, Jr. presiding.

Rector Freeman welcomed all those present and thanked President Trible for the dinner at the President’s residence the evening prior to the meeting.  Rector Freeman called for approval of the minutes of the meetings of November 6, 2002, November 13, 2002, December 6, 2002 and January 9, 2003.  Mr. Raymond noted that Mr. Thro was absent from the December 6, 2002 meeting.  Subject to that modification, Rector Freeman asked for a motion to approve the minutes.  The motion was provided by Ms. Hoinkes, seconded by Dr. Trieshmann and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
President’s Report

President Trible’s report was in a series of  “Do you Know . . .” questions as follows:
 
Do you know . . .
 
* that in only 10 days we will celebrate commencement and this academic year will come to a close? 

* that we expect to honor 450 graduates for their dedication and success and to be inspired by the good words of J. Harvie Wilkinson, one of the most respected Justices in America and an outstanding Virginian?

* The Washington Post recently highlighted CNU as one of 20 academic gems that deliver top quality educations?

* that there was a positive article in the Daily Press about the success of our admissions efforts?

* that last week over 1000 accepted students and families visited CNU and there was great excitement?

* that CNU hosted its first Minority Visit Day on March 15 with 110 guests? The Minority Task Force, Thad Holloman, Bill Thomas, Debbie Budlong, Admissions, and the Multicultural Student Association planned and hosted this event.

* that CNU has a wait list for the 1st time this year of nearly 200 bright, energetic and successful students who would love to attend CNU? 

* that recently---in one five day period -- we hosted over 800 guests for our normal daily visits?

* the average GPA to date is 3.3 for the Fall 2003? The SAT average is an 1164. The average SAT for the 1100+ freshmen who have said they’re coming is 1162. That’s a 202 point increase in our SAT average in six years.

* that to date 81 students have accepted membership in the PLP? Their average GPA is 3.7 and their average SAT is 1210.

* that the Alumni Society under the leadership of Professor Linda Gordon had a banner year engaging alumni and friends and raising funds?

* that Dean Douglas Gordon, Dr. Susan St. Onge and faculty representatives of all academic departments have been meeting, discussing, and debating how the academic life at CNU is defined in the days ahead?

* that 3 Mondays every month I meet with the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate and the 4th Monday with the entire Faculty Senate ensuring maximum communication and forging a remarkable partnership as we work to advance this University?

* that 7 times a year – 3 times in the fall, once midsummer, 3 times in spring – I hold Town Meetings for all faculty and staff?

* that quarterly I meet with all new employees to talk about our values and aspirations, answer questions, endeavoring to align our hearts and minds?

* that by my count this morning in the guest book at the President’s House, Rosemary and I have entertained 1,234 people this year?

* that the Captains have won an unprecedented sixth consecutive Dixie Conference President’s Cup for overall athletic supremacy? CNU’s margin of victory this year was the greatest in the 25-year history of the cup. Christopher Newport teams won nine of the 14 regular season championships.

* that CNU teams have won over 70 percent of their athletic contests for the second time in school history, giving an excellent chance to have the best won-lost record among all Virginia schools for the fourth consecutive year.

* that in the fall, CNU led off with yet another incredible football season, winning the Dixie Conference championship and earning its second NCAA Tournament spot in two years, something that has never before been achieved in NCAA history at any level. Did you know that CNU played one of the toughest schedules in the country?  Did you know that in the NCAA playoff game we played even with Washington Jefferson, one of the best schools in the country for over half the game and ultimately lost by only 2 touch downs.  Do you know that CNU for the first time was ranked in the final national poll as one of the top football teams in the nation? 

* that 19,742 people attended CNU football games this year making us 8th in the country in overall attendance in Division III NCAA? 

* that at the recent Eastern Psychological Association Conference meeting in Washington DC more CNU students presented papers than any other school on the East coast except for Rutgers?

* that the construction of our world class Center for the Arts continues apace and these exciting performance and teaching spaces are taking shape?

* that the design of our new library and our new student center is now being completed and the construction of these all important projects will begin in the next academic year?

* that this summer we will break ground on a new residence complex for sophomores and juniors that will increase our residential population to more than 2500 students by Fall 2005?
 
* that this is Tim Marshall’s last meeting and he has been one of the most effective Faculty Senate Presidents in a difficult and challenging year?

* that Jeremiah Davis has been elected President of the SGA and that over the summer we will reshape the student government of CNU to be more consistent with the CNU of today and tomorrow?

* that despite the difficulties occasioned by the states budget crisis this has been a remarkable year in the life of CNU?

 
Finance and Audit Committee Report
 
Mr. Heath reported on the meeting of the Finance and Audit Committee and a copy of his report is attached and made a part of the minutes. 
 
Rector Freeman thanked Mr. Heath and the committee for their hard work.  He said that CNU has a strong and good internal audit function.  He explained that the internal auditor reports to the Board and audits the financial activities of the university.  He suggested that Mr. Midgette make a presentation regarding the role of the internal auditor at the next meeting
 
Mr. Thomas questioned the computer conversion effort and the opinion of the state auditor.  Mr. Brauer explained that we are down in staff in the computer center but are in the process of filling positions and that we have only lost 2 staff from the SCT conversion effort.  Despite this, we continue to make good progress. There is a critical conversion date of July 1 for the financial accounting system.  President Trible noted that we struck out in a new direction, as did most of the schools in Virginia who had problems with PeopleSoft.  Our new team is now led by George Webb, who is doing a superb job on this and Bob Midgette is also assisting.  The recent hire of our Director for the Computer Center will be an important part of the team.  Over the last year we have implemented successfully the software system for admissions and financial aid. 
 
Mr. Thomas stated that the staffing of this project is very important and if more staff is needed there it is worth it due to the savings of time and people that this type of technology will bring.  Mr. Thomas said he feels this is a priority and should be reviewed at each Board meeting because it so important to the growth and operation of the University.
 
Mr. Raymond asked about a comment in the auditor’s report that the comptroller prepares financial statements manually and this process should be enhanced by  an automated financial statement reporting system.  Mr. Brauer stated that this is what SCT will do.  Rector Freeman suggested that at the next meeting Dr. Webb attend and give the Board a full report on the status of this project and the staffing situation. 
 
Rector Freeman called for a motion to approve Resolution 1:  Cancellation of Accounts Receivable Considered Uncollectible.  Mr. Raymond provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Thomas and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 

Tuition and Fees
 
Ms. Perry distributed and thoroughly reviewed the proposed resolution and supporting documents regarding tuition and fees and room and board for the next fiscal year.   In addition she reviewed the assumptions and legislative restrictions which must be taken into account when deciding tuition and fees. 
 
Further, Ms. Perry explained the increase in the parking fee.  This is a non-mandatory fee which the board is not required to approve.  Currently the parking fee for students, faculty and staff is $100.  It is recommended that the parking fee for students be increased from $100 to $150 next year with the intent to increase the fee to $200 for 2004-2005.  A tiered structure is recommended for the first time for faculty and staff.  This is in line with what other schools do and a comparison of the parking fees of other schools was also provided.
 
Dr. Trieshmann asked about the acceptance of credit cards.  Ms. Perry explained that we do not accept credit cards for the payment of tuition but the bookstore accepts credit cards.  Mr. Raymond asked if the proposed figures covered the 9% increase which the Board assumed in October due to the Governor’s budget cuts and Ms. Perry said that it covers that 9%. 
 
President Trible noted that cost is not a factor to the students coming to CNU.  CNU remains a very good buy.  At every admissions event, it has been made clear that tuition and fees would increase about a $1,000 and we are competitive with other schools. 
 
Mr. Thomas inquired about the salary increases.  President Trible noted that on November 25 faculty and staff will receive a pay increase of 2.25% or a bit more than that.  The cost of that is shared by the Commonwealth of Virginia and by CNU. 
 
Mr. Joseph raised the question of charging a differential in fees depending on which residential complex a student chooses to live.  Rector Freeman explained that since all of CNU’s facilities are new, it is difficult to set different fees.  President Trible explained that we took the first step towards this bringing on the CNU apartments for 12 month contracts and a higher fee.  This is something to discuss with the finance committee for the future. 
 
The budget process was explained.  Mr. Joseph asked if we were generating additional dollars and what would this do for us.  Ms. Perry explained that the 5% tuition increase will generate about $2 million but we had $4 million in general fund cuts.     Dr. Trieshmann inquired if any vacancies would be filled.   The President responded affirmatively and said they would first be done on the administrative side.  Faculty replacements will be hired but there will be a net loss of 19 faculty.  CNU will return to the number of faculty that we had in 1996 and yet there are 1000 more students. 
 
Mr. Heath moved that Resolution 2: Tuition and Fees and Room and Board be approved as presented.  Mr. Joseph seconded the motion and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
 
 
Academic Committee Affairs Report
 
Mr. Raymond reported on the meeting of the Academic Affairs Committee.  He reviewed Resolution 3: Plan of Compensation for Faculty.   He explained that the state sets the ranges and there are no exceptions but for those outlined in the resolution. Mr. Raymond moved for approval of Resolution 3, seconded by Ms. Budlong and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
Mr. Raymond presented Resolution 4: Master of Arts in Teaching Degree.  Resolution 4 establishes a five-year baccalaureate/magisterial degree program which will lead to teacher certification.  Mr. Raymond recommended several amendments to the language in the resolution.    President Trible mentioned that Dr. Marsha Sprague and a group of faculty members had been working for many months and they determined that it would work in favor of our students and the community that CNU continue to produce good teachers.  The purpose of their work was to ensure that those individuals who wish to be teachers would benefit from a rich and rigorous arts and sciences curriculum, earning a baccalaureate degree and then go on to a masters program in the 5th year where they receive the professional courses required for their success in the classroom.  This has met with strong support from our students and a partnership has been built with Newport News City Schools.  Mr. Raymond thanked the president and others who worked on developing this program in response to the community concerns. 
 
Mr. Raymond made a motion to adopt Resolution 4:  Master of Arts in Teaching Degree as amended, seconded by Ms. Hoinkes and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 

Alumni Society Report
 
Rector Freeman recognized Dr. Linda Gordon, President of the Alumni Society who presented an update on the recent activities of the society. 
 
Rector Freeman then returned to the Academic Affairs Committee Report.  Mr. Raymond reviewed Resolution 5: Discontinuation of Degree Program known as Bachelor of Science in Governmental Administration and Resolution 6: Discontinuation of Degree Program known as the Master of Public Safety Leadership. Mr. Raymond reported that the faculty of the department of Government and Public Affairs re-evaluated their program and the degrees offered and how they fit into the mission of the University.  The faculty concluded that they should discontinue the BS in Governmental Administration degree believing they could better serve our students and the university mission by focusing on the BA in political science. Because the BSGA degree was the foundation for those who wanted a Masters of Public Safety Leadership and because that program had not generated much interest, it was also proposed that the Master in Public Safety Leadership be discontinued.  These resolutions come to the Board from the Department of Government and Public Affairs based on their own evaluation of the needs of that department.
 
Mr. Raymond made a motion to the Board for adoption of Resolution 5 and Resolution 6.
 
Rector Freeman called for questions and there was an in depth discussion regarding these resolutions.  President Trible stated that this initiative came from the faculty in the department, has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by all requisite committees of the faculty including the faculty senate who voted in favor of this recommendation.  Quentin Kidd has been involved in this initiative from the beginning and President Trible asked him to elaborate on this decision.
 
Dr. Kidd said that the faculty in his department have been discussing and meeting  about this matter over the past year and voted to discontinue both the BSGA and MPSL degrees.  A very detailed 2 year teach out plan was developed.  The students who were freshmen or sophomores were given the option to continue the BSGA degree or switch to a BA in political science.  He noted that no faculty are affective by this decision.
 
Rector Freeman called for a second to Mr. Raymond’s motion to approve Resolution 5:  Discontinuation of the Bachelor of Science in Governmental Administration and Resolution 6: Discontinuation of the Masters in Public Safety Leadership, which was provided by Ms. Hoinkes and both resolutions passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 

Report on Task Force on curriculum and Academic Life
 
Rector Freeman called upon Dr. Douglas Gordon, Dr. Susan St. Onge and Dr. Quentin Kidd to brief the Board on the activities of the Task Force on Curriculum and Academic Life.  Also Doug Gordon reported on the Paideia Conference which features the outstanding undergraduate research of our students. 

 
Student Life Committee Report
 
Ms. Budlong reported that three new staff members have been hired – Sean Hueval, admissions counselor, Susan Hill, admission counselor and Dan Webber, hall director.  The alcohol foundation plan was reviewed as is required annually by the Attorney General’s office.  The plan was not modified and CNU is still a dry campus.  A report was given on the minority admissions day and the continuing work of the task force.  Associate Dean Donna Eddleman reported on the Virginia Coalition concert, spring fest held in conjunction with freshman admission day where 1000 parents and students were in attendance, commencement preparation, the setting sail orientation program and the creation of the student media board.  Dr. Trieshmann inquired about the status of the student health program.  Dean O’Connell explained there is a nurse practitioner available 2 days a week and we are negotiating to make that 3 days a week.  He stated that students mostly require triage assistance – they come in for the flu, etc.  Dean O’Connell mentioned that the State Council has been discussing a health insurance plan for all students but that has not been created yet.  CNU offers a basic health plan for students who have no other options.
 
At 11:30 a.m. Rector Freeman called for a motion to enter closed session under Freedom of Information Act 2.2-3711(a)(1) Personnel, 2.2-3711 (a)(3) Real Estate, 2.2-2.2-3711(a)(6) Investments, 2.2-3711(a)(7) Litigation, 2.2-3711(a)(8) Gifts, Bequests and Fundraising and 2.2-3711(a)(10) Honorary Degrees.  Ms. Budlong provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Raymond and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
The Board returned to open session at 12:40 p.m. and the Rector asked for a roll call certifying that only public matters identified in the public motion by which the executive or closed meeting was called were discussed.  Board members Mr. Heath, Mr. Holloman, Mr. Raymond, Ms. Budlong, Ms. Hoinkes, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Thomas, and Rector Freeman certified to the above.
 
Rector Freeman called for a motion to approve the following resolutions:
 
Resolution 7:  Property Acquisition.  Ms. Hoinkes provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Thomas and approved by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
Resolution 8: Transfer Agreement, as amended.  The motion was provided by Mr. Heath, seconded by Mr. Thomas and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
Resolution 9: Promotions of Instructional Faculty, as amended.  The motion was provided by Mr. Raymond and seconded by Ms. Hoinkes and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
Resolution 10: Instructional Faculty Tenured Appointments; Resolutions 11-19: Awarded of Emeritus Status.  The motion was provided by Mr. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Holloman and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
Rector Freeman called for a motion to award an honorary degree to J. Harvie Wilkinson, III, the commencement speaker.  The motion was provided by Ms. Budlong and seconded by Mr. Thomas and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
 
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Deborah L. Budlong,
Secretary

Beverley Mueller
Administrative Assistant To the Board
Approved: Rector Robert L. Freeman, Jr.