Board of Visitors Meeting November 8, 2005

The Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University met on November 8, 2005, in the Ferguson Center for the Arts with Rector William P. Heath, Jr. presiding.

Rector Heath welcomed everyone present and called on the President for his report.

President's Report

President Trible told the Board that this meeting was being held on the stage of the Ferguson Center Concert Hall in order for the Board to see this magnificent venue. He noted that literally thousands of CNU students have come to performances in the Ferguson Center and tickets are made available to them at greatly discounted prices. He shared with the Board a letter he received from Joann Falletta the conductor of the Virginia Symphony praising the Ferguson Center .

He noted that recruitment to CNU continues and that there have been more visitors and more applicants than ever before. Applications are up 42% over last year with more than four times more the number of admits this year than last year at this time, with an average GPA of 3.61 and SAT of 1187. Registration for open houses is up dramatically and the first fine and performing arts visit day was a success with over 100 guests. In addition, over 300 guests have registered for the leadership visit to CNU. Applications of out-of-state students has more than doubled and CNU continues to receive a record number of applications from Northern Virginia and Richmond . He told the Board about the efforts to involve parents in the life of CNU and the good work and support of the Parent Council and thanked Mike and Patty Martin for their efforts in leading this group. He noted that Friday is a minority recruitment day and 30 students are coming from a program in DC making over 50 minority students on campus this weekend as well as an open house on Saturday.

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Athletic Report

President Trible reported that CNU has had another great fall. He noted that 4 out of 5 years, CNU has had the highest winning percentage of any school in Virginia . Three teams have won conference championships; the volleyball team is going to Atlanta for first round of the NCAA tournament and Lindsay Sheppard was named Coach of the Year. The women's soccer team dominates the conference and have been undefeated this year. Men's and women's cross country teams won the 2005 conference championship and the football team is currently 5- 4 and will conclude their season this Saturday. Men's soccer concluded with another winning season advancing to the semi-final round of the USA South Tournament. In addition the CNU field hockey team had a successful season finishing 12-4.

President Trible noted that CNU is expanding international initiatives and creating opportunities for students to study abroad in Prague and Oxford at Harris Manchester College . In January the first CNU student Megan Murray will be studying at Oxford .

President Trible then asked Bill Biddle, Director of the Ferguson Center for the Arts to talk to the Board about the Ferguson Center and the current season. Mr. Biddle reviewed the past and upcoming performances and he told the Board of the many other events that take place in the Ferguson Center and the opportunities that have been created for CNU students to work with the performers. Most notably was the opportunity for CNU Student Anthony Colossomo to perform on stage with Andrea Bocelli.

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Finance and Audit Committee Report

Chairman Jay Joseph reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the most recent financial statements and all finances look to be in order. The committee reviewed the capital projects underway and asked Mr. Brauer to report on their status. Mr. Brauer reported on the status of the capital projects stating that the student center should be completed in early 2006. The student center conversion and renovation of Gosnold are underfunded and we must ask General Assembly for more dollars to cover the increased construction costs. Mr. Brauer also spoke on the construction and operation of the Ferguson Center .

President Trible reported that there is $180 million necessary to complete capital projects approved and funded on college campuses throughout Virginia . As chairman of the Council of Presidents, he will gather information on all projects that are underway at each institution and determine the exact amount of money necessary in order to fund completion of the projects. He is hopeful the Governor will find funding for the escalation in costs of these projects which would allow CNU and other institutions to move forward with their capital projects.

Mr. Joseph reported that rental of the space at CNU Village is underway and tenants are starting the interior work. There will be a variety of restaurants and shops that offer services to our students as well as the public.

Rector Heath called on President of the Student Government Association, Mehreen Farooq. Ms. Farooq told the Board that President Trible addressed the SGA recently. homecoming elections were held with highest voter turnout; the SGA had been involved with Virginia 21 and continues community outreach projects. Recently there was a town hall meeting and the topics discussed ranged from IT and dining services to pedestrian safety. She mentioned the SGA is conducting a survey of students regarding the habits of crossing Warwick Boulevard in an effort to determine if a bridge would be beneficial. President Trible noted that the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph, more defined crosswalks were being formed, and countdown lights were being added in an effort to make crossing Warwick Boulevard safer.

Rector Heath called on Vice President of the Faculty Senate Gary Whiting to address the Board. Dr. Whiting told the Board that a Graduate School Preparation Group was being formed in order to help our students prepare for their GREs and LSATs. Secondly, the faculty senate is working on increasing the faculty development grant budget due to the expansion and enhancement of the faculty. They are also looking at the classroom designs of the two new academic buildings, Gosnold and the Student Center .

Rector Heath called on Ms. Janet Barker, President of the Alumni Society, to report to the Board. She told the Board that the alumni membership went from 500 to 14,000 by dropping the dues requirement. This is an effort to get everyone involved and engaged with the University. President Trible addressed the need for an alumni house at CNU as the alumni membership grows and noted that a number of alumni have already committed to this project.

At 11:25 p.m. Rector Heath 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, and 2.2-3711(a)(10) Honorary degrees. Ms. Hoinkes provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Luter and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

The Board returned to open session at 12:05 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. Joseph, Ms. Frank, Ms. Ford, Ms. Luter, Rector Heath, Ms. Hoinkes, Mr. Passaro, Mr. Martin, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Holloman and Ms. Crittenden certified to the above.

Rector Heath called for a motion to approved Resolution 1: Enclosure 2: Leave of Absence for Instructional Faculty which was discussed in closed session. Mr. Passaro provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Martin and passed by unanimous vote of the Board. In addition he called for a motion to bestow an honorary degree upon Mr. Hornsby at graduation. Ms. Ford provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Wilson and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

At the recommendation of the Finance Committee, Mr. Joseph provided a motion to increase President Trible's salary by 7.76 % to $321,631. Ms. Hoinkes seconded the motion 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

William P. Heath, Jr., Rector

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