Board of Visitors Meeting September 23, 2005

The Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University met on September 23, 2005, 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.

resident's Report

President Trible told the Board that he meets with the full faculty senate and faculty senate executive committee on a regular basis and there is a great spirit on campus. The faculty have commented on the quality of the students and that they are engaged in the class room and prepared for class.

He reported that the Ferguson Center for the Arts 1700 seat theater opened with Michael Crawford and Skitch Henderson and he talked about the upcoming performances. A minimum of 100 tickets per performance are set aside at greatly reduced prices of the students so that they may enjoy the performances at the Ferguson Center.

He announced that Smithfield Foods and the Smithfield Foods-Luter Foundation recently contributed a $5 million gift to CNU – the largest gift ever to the University. The funds will establish the Joseph W. Luter, III School of Business and $1 million will go toward merit scholarships.

Admissions continue to soar and it is anticipated there will be 7,000 applications for a class of 1200. He noted that in 1997 the required GPA and SAT average for incoming Honors program students was a 3.0 and 1000 --- this fall's class averaged a 3.8 and 1262 for 111 new students. He reviewed the upcoming recruiting events and other campus activities for prospective students.

President Trible told the Board of the death of a CNU student while crossing Warwick Boulevard . He said that CNU and the City of Newport News are working on a number of ways to make the crossing of Warwick Boulevard safer including landscaping and defining crosswalks, wider crosswalks, adding more lighting, etc. In addition efforts will be doubled to educate students about the safe passage across Warwick Boulevard .

He told the Board that he is now the Chairman of the Council of Presidents and it will be a challenging year as the restructuring process moves forward. In August the Board approved the resolution to adopt the state goals and objects and in October we must submit enrollment, academic and financial plans.

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Finance and Audit Committee Report

Chairman Jay Joseph said the Finance Committee reviewed the financials for the 12 months ended June 2005 and found everything to be in order and the university is operating in balance. Mr. Brauer explained the variances in the report and answered questions. Mr. Joseph noted that CNU received a clean letter of Management Standards from the State. Mr. Joseph reviewed with the Board the Capital Projects Summary and status of construction on campus.

Mr. Brauer explained Resolution: 1 Enclosure 2- Debt Authorization for Parking Deck II

The Resolution allows CNU to sign a loan agreement for the parking lot project under construction Rector Heath noted the Resolution comes to the Board as a recommendation from the Finance and Audit Committee. Following discussion and questions Resolution 1 was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

President Trible reviewed with the Board the Restructuring Plan and the next steps required. He noted that all schools must submit 6 year plans on enrollment, academic matters and financial plans. From the years 2006 to 2012 CNU projects that enrollment would increase from 4700 students to 5200 students and the FTE would increase from 4300 to 5100. The freshman class will remain at 1200. Out of state enrollment would increase by 1% per year or to 10% by 2012. The financial plan requires the development of a revenue plan and a spending plan. President Trible explained in detail the revenue plan and base adequacy funding to the Board members.

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Academic Affairs Committee

Chair Ms. Hoinkes spoke briefly about the restructuring act and asked Provost Summerville to brief the Board on the academic aspects of the plan. Provost Summerville spoke to the Board in detail regarding the academic component of the plan and the 9 goals set out to be accomplished and the plan for doing so.

Ms. Hoinkes also said that the Academic Affairs Committee is recommending 3 resolutions to the Board for approval which will be discussed in closed session.

Rector Heath called for a motion, as discussed, to authorize the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, Mr. Joseph, and Chair Academic Affairs Committee, Ms. Hoinkes, to be authorized to work with the administration and finalize the restructuring plans. Ms. Ford provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Crittenden and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Ms. Hoinkes explained Resolution 2: Enclosure 3- Tuition and Fee Wavier Authorization stating that this allows the waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees associated with the enrollment of a foreign language teaching assistants in coursework offered by the University.

President Trible told the Board that CNU was beginning a relationship with the State Department to bring 20 college students from Muslim nations to CNU. These students would spend a month to 6 weeks studying at CNU and learning about America . Classes would be taught by CNU professors and an equal number of CNU American students would go through a similar program in North Africa . The State Department would pay for all costs associated with having the 20 students on our campus. Following discussion, Rector Heath then called for a vote to pass Resolution 2 and it passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

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Student Life Committee Report

Chair Mr. Holloman said the committee met and received a report on the opening of the academic year and move-in. They received a report on the increase in enrollment and a freshman profile indicated the number of incoming freshmen, SAT and GPA averages and number of applications. The committee was also provided an enrollment summary that showed the headcount had declined but the FTE increased by 101. The committee discussed the Captains for Excellence Program and the increase in minority enrollment. The committee also spoke about the recent death of a CNU student and ways to improve student safety. Mehreen Farooq said the SGA was trying to take an active role in this endeavor. She noted that freshmen senate elections would be going on next week and that President Trible would be addressing the SGA on October 3 rd .

Rector Heath then called on the President of the Faculty Senate, Dr. Tracey Schwarze. Dr. Schwarze reported that the faculty senate had set several goals. One of which was to enhance the quality of faculty life emphasizing scholarship and creation of a vibrant academic culture. They would like to create more sabbatical opportunities, as well as opportunities for junior faculty to spend more time on research. The faculty senate has been working with administration on retention planning initiatives and faculty space in the new student union.

At 2:00 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)(8) Gifts, Bequests and Fundraising. Mr. Duncan provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Hoinkes and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

The Board returned to open session at 3:10 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, Mr. Duncan, Ms. Ford, Ms. Luter, Ms. Budlong, Rector Heath, Ms. Hoinkes, Mr. Martin, Mr. Holloman, Mr. Wilson, and Ms. Crittenden certified to the above.

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

Resolution 3: Enclosure 4-Leave of Absence for Instructional Faculty

Resolution 4: Enclosure 5- Award of Emeritus Status

Resolution 5: Enclosure 6- Acquisition of Property by Eminent Domain

(note: that the Administration is instructed to seek a compromise, employ an intermediary and determine relocation needs of property 1 prior to initiating condemnation proceedings)

Ms. Ford provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Duncan and 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

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