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Board of Visitors Meeting December 18, 2007 - DRAFT
The Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University met on December 18, 2007, in the Brauer Room in the Administration Building with Vice Rector James R. Joseph presiding.
Present from Board
Mr. Jay Joseph, Vice Rector
Mrs. Jane Susan Frank
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes
Mrs. Ann Hunnicutt
Mrs. Frances Luter
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Present from the University
Mr. Paul Trible, President
Ms. Cynthia Perry, Chief of Staff
Mr. William L. Brauer, Executive Vice President
Ms. Beverley Mueller, Executive Assistant
Dr. Gary Whiting, Faculty Senate President
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Vice-Rector Joseph welcomed everyone and asked President Trible to address the Board.
President Trible began stating that it had been a good fall with applications for admission up over 800 from last year. The test of the emergency siren system was successful and CNU was the first university in Virginia to have success on the first try.
President Trible said that the Governor's budget was recently released and there is a shortfall for higher education of $400 million. The Governor did introduce a capital bond initiative of $1.5 billion, however, $7 billion is need to cover projects for each university in Virginia . CNU will lose 5 % of its operating funds, however, funding was provided for the integrated science center which is approximately an $80 million project. The Governor's budget also indicates no pay increases for faculty and staff or 18 months.
President Trible reported that the library staff was moving out of the old student center into the new library and the library will be up and running when the students return in mid-January. In accordance with authority delegated to him from the Board in1996, he authorized the demolition of the old student union which will be accomplished over winter break and then W.M. Jordan will start construction of the new academic building.
The Faculty Senate President, Gary Whiting agreed it had been a great fall. The senate has been focusing on faculty development. Among other things, the faculty will participate in mentorship programs and the faculty senate is looking into streamlining the faculty evaluation process.
President Trible reported to the Board that he was granting CNU staff 1 ½ days of recognition leave for the holidays noting that some offices would need to remain open for operating purposes. The Board agreed with this decision.
Vice Rector Joseph asked Mr. Brauer to discuss Resolution 1: Reimbursement Resolution . Mr. Brauer explained that this resolution relates to the relocation of the Mariners' Museum Library to CNU allowing the expenditure of up to $3 million to get the Mariners' Museum in place prior to the issuance of tax exempt bonds in the future. The project will be funded through a line of credit from the Foundation with interest only for up to 5 years and The Mariners' Museum and CNU will share equally in the interest expense.
Following discussion of Resolution 1, Vice Rector Joseph called for a motion to adopt Resolution 1 which was provided by Ms. Hoinkes, seconded by Ms. Frank and passed by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.
Mr. Brauer explained Resolution 2: Establish The Ferguson Center for the Arts Foundation, Inc. The purpose of the Foundation is to solicit grants and contracts exclusively for arts foundations which are not typically available to universities. Vice Rector called for a motion to approve Resolution 2, which was provided by Ms. Luter and seconded by Ms. Hunnicutt and passed by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee was provided with project and finance estimates for the President's House and discussed the financing options in detail. Following discussion and questions, Ms. Luter moved that the financing of the construction for the President's House proceed on the basis of Scenario 1 as discussed. Scenario 1 states that the university will finance the construction of the house and the Foundation will gift the Property to the university as opposed to Scenario 2 where the university would finance the project and debt service would be shared equally between the university and the Foundation. Ms. Hoinkes seconded the motion and it passed by vote of the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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Ms. Deborah Budlong, Secretary to the Board
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Beverley Mueller, Administrative Assistant to the Board
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Claude S. Hornsby, III, Rector of the Board
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