Board of Visitors Meeting February 24, 2006

The Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University met on February 24, 2006, in the Alumni Room of the Student Center with Rector William P. Heath, Jr. presiding.

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

President Trible provided the Board with a legislative update and explained that the House and Senate approved budget recommendations are amendments to Mark Warner's proposed budget for the biennium. The Council of Presidents spoke by conference call to try understand what the recommendations mean to each school as well as to higher education in general. He said that although both plans would generate a great deal of money, it is not enough to cover all of the requests of each school.

He told the Board that applications for admission were up over 1000 from last year and the quality of the class continues to improve with an average SAT of 1200 and GPA of 3.6. Also, applications to the Honors Program and President's Leadership Program are extraordinary. CNU is now seeing an increase in applications from Maryland , Pennsylvania , Delaware , New York and New Jersey . Currently, 5% of the freshman class is from out of state and that number will increase. However, CNU's first responsibility is to the students in Virginia . The number of African American students applying is up 32% over last year.

President Trible told the Board that CNU established a guaranteed admission program with Rappahannock Community Colleges and more of these types of agreements will be signed with other community colleges. Fifteen students from Rappahannock Community College will be guaranteed admission to CNU. These students are members of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

The Ferguson Center for the Arts has had a remarkable year. The total number of tickets sold since September is 70,000 -- exceeding $3 million in ticket sales and 5% of the tickets sales have been to students.

Consistent with increasing academic rigor and expectations, President Trible told the Board that discussions are underway with the Faculty about revising the academic calendar to create reading days for our students during exams. Discussions are also ongoing to find ways to make commencement more meaningful. Along those lines, the suggestion is to have 3-4 days of activities for the graduates and their families and move the commencement ceremony to Sunday, Mother's Day.

Over the next 60 days CNU will explore the possibility of hiring a national company to operate food services. President Trible noted that only CNU and Virginia Tech provide their own food service while the other schools contract their dining out. Providing dining services has become increasingly challenging now that CNU has 3000 residential students. The President told the Board that he met with the dining staff personally to explain the situation and has formed a committee to explore this possibility. The committee will make their recommendation to him by the end of the academic year.

President Trible reported that the fall athletic programs at CNU got off to a great start with a winning percentage of 74 percent. CJ Woollum was named Coach of the Year and freshman Davon Barton was selected the USA South's Rookie of the Year. President Trible also told the Board that he was recently elected to the NCAA President's Council.

In order to improve customer service at CNU, a national consultant was hired. As a result of their recommendations, a number of employees were selected to become master trainers and a program was implemented in which every employee must attend customer service training.

Rector Heath called for a motion to approve the minutes of June 10, 2005, September 23, 2005 and November 8, 2005. Mr. Joseph provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Crittenden and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Finance and Audit Committee Report

Chair Jay Joseph said the committee met this morning and reviewed the financial statements. In addition, a report from Bob Midgett the Internal Auditor was given. Bob Midgett shared his audit plan and discussed the comparison of audit staffs at Virginia universities.

Chairman Joseph reviewed the construction and operating costs of the Ferguson Center with the Board and answered questions. It was noted that the Ferguson Center is breaking even for the first year of operation. There was a discussion of the impact of the Ferguson Center on the community and on the lives of CNU students.

Chairman Joseph reviewed the Resolution 1: Cancellation of Accounts Receivable Considered Uncollectible and stated that the committee recommends approval of the Resolution. Rector Heath called for discussion and a vote by the Board. Resolution 1 was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

At 1:10 p.m., Rector Heath called for a motion to enter closed session under the Freedom of Information Act Sections 2.2.3711(a)(1) Personnel, (3) Real estate and (8) Gifts Bequests and Fundraising. Mr. Hornsby provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Hoinkes and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

The Board returned to open session at 2:40 p.m. and the Rector asked for a roll call certifying that only public matters were discussed that were identified in the public motion by which the executive or closed meeting was called. Board members Ms. Frank, Ms. Luter, Ms. Budlong, Rector Heath, Ms. Hoinkes, Mr. Martin, Mr. Holloman, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Heath and Ms. Crittenden certified to the above.

back to top

Academic Affairs Committee Report

Chair Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes told the Board that the committee had a good discussion regarding the academic calendar and the possibility of creating a winter program offering several courses at very concentrated level. These courses would be offered during winter break for academic credit. The Provost will work with the faculty to look into this possibility.

Provost Summerville reviewed with the Board Resolution 6: Plan of Compensation. He stated that this Resolution comes to the Board each year and outlines the compensation for the faculty in the upcoming academic year . Ms. Hoinkes said the Academic Affairs recommended this resolution for approval. Rector Heath called for discussion and Resolution 6 then passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Student Life Committee Report

Chair Thad Holloman said the committee received reports from student life regarding campus activities and they discussed retention efforts and the improvement in retention with the early alert program and learning communities. He told the Board the there had been a meeting between representatives of the Captains for Excellence Program and Project Discovery to discuss ways in which the two programs could work together. There is a possibility that some students in Project Discovery may join the Captains for Excellence Program. In addition, the Captains for Excellence Program will continue to seek opportunities for funding so that the program may be expanded.

Vice President O'Connell, reported on the activities of the SGA. He said that they had been very active in Virginia 21, endorsed the learning communities concept and the SGA would like to see a dining facility within the new Student Union named for Linda Carter – “Miss Linda's.” In addition, they are going to work with the Chief of Police to improve the safety of crossing Warwick Boulevard during the road construction.

Rector Heath called for a motion to approve the following resolutions which were discussed in closed session:

Resolutions 2-4: Promotions of Instructional Faculty

Resolution 5: Instructional Faculty Tenured Appointments

The motion was provided by Ms. Hoinkes, seconded by Ms. Crittenden and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Rector Heath called for a motion to move forward with the finalization of the President's contract as discussed in closed session. Ms. Hoinkes stated that the Board agrees with the elements of the President's contract and moved to authorize Rector Heath to proceed with steps necessary to perfect the wording and finalize the President's contract to the satisfaction of the Foundation and President. Mr. Hornsby seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Deborah Budlong, Secretary

Beverley Mueller, Administrative Assistant to the Board

William P. Heath, Jr., Rector

back to top