Board of Visitors

Board of Visitors Meeting February 20, 2015

Present from the Board

• Mr. Gary Byler
• Mr. William Downey
• Mr. William R. Ermatinger
• Ms. Vicki Siokis Freeman
• Mr. Andy Hughes
• Ms. Ann N. Hunnicutt
• Mr. C. Bradford Hunter
• Mr. Bruce Jennings
• Mr. Scott Millar
• The Hon. Gabriel A. Morgan, Sr.
• Mr. Mark Rodgers
• The Hon. Ronald Tillett
• Dr. Ella P. Ward
• Mr. Preston White

Present from the University

• President Paul Trible
• Ms. Cynthia Perry, Chief of Staff
• Mr. William L. Brauer, Executive Vice President
• Dr. David Doughty, Provost
• Ms. Adelia Thompson, Vice President for University Advancement
• Ms. Maureen Matsen, University Counsel
• Ms. Beverley Mueller, Executive Assistant
• Dr. Lisa Duncan Raines, Vice Provost for Enrollment Services
• Mr. Robert Lange, Dean of Admission
• Dr. Kevin Hughes, Dean of Students
• Dr. Jana Adamitis, Faculty Senate President
• Michelle Moody, Director of Title IX and EO
• Mr. Mark Bernecker, Alumni Society President
• Ms. Lori Jacobs, Director of Public Relations

Captains Log Reporters

• Mr. Collin Brennan
• Mr. Josh Reyes
• Ms. Laura Faragelli

Rector White welcomed everyone present. He said that for the first time he attended the Academic Affairs Committee and Student Life Committee meetings and found them very interesting and informative.

Rector White called for approval of the minutes of the September 12, 2014 meeting. The motion was provided by Mr. Tillett, seconded by Mr. Millar and the motion passed by unanimous vote of the Board. He then called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Advance on November 2-3, 2014. Mr. Morgan provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Jennings and the minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Board.

President's Report

President Trible reported on the 2015 legislative session. He said that at this point we are waiting for the House and Senate to resolve the differences recommended in their budgets. He reported that there are some additional funds being made available and both the House and Senate had recommended salary increases for faculty and staff. The House also added additional operating dollars to partially offset the reduction in State funds that was imposed in the last session, however, the Senate did not restore these monies. There was important language adopted by the House which expands the authority for Level II institutions providing many of the benefits afforded Level III schools. For CNU, it will allow greater autonomy in procurement, expand authority in capital outlay and information technology. He stated there was little or no funding this year for capital funding. President Trible said that there are two projects being prepared to move forward when funding becomes available - the expansion of the library and the creation of a visual arts center. He noted that there is some discussion about a capital bond initiative in the 2016 Session.

President Trible announced that CNU received a perfect "A" from ACTA for having the most rigorous academic core curriculum of any public university in America. He also announced that seniors in the Luter School take a national test each year to determine how much they have learned and for the past four years, CNU students have finished in the top 10% in the nation. He also reported that the sophomore retention rate is approaching 90% placing us in the ranks of the finest schools in America. He noted that all athletic teams are doing well and that CNU ranks 3rd in the nation among all NCAA Division III schools.

The comprehensive campaign is going well and moving toward the goal of $40 million with a record number of contributions. President Trible was proud to report that Christopher Newport has the highest giving rate of faculty and staff - 87%.

Finance and Audit and Committee Report

Ms. Hunnicutt reported that the Committee met and reviewed revenues and expenditures for the six months ended December 31, 2014 and everything appears to be in order.

She then called on Mr. Brauer who explained to the Board the Compliance Report stating that it comes before the Board every year and it establishes and recognizes the relationship between the university and the foundations. The report shows that all four foundations are in compliance with Board policy and everything that is required by policy has been received and reviewed.

Mr. Brauer reviewed the SWaM report and noted that CNU is doing well in all categories with the exception of women-owned businesses but in all other areas we are ahead of our goals and the goals of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Brauer then gave an update on current capital projects. He said the Student Success Center is on schedule and move-in will take place after graduation. There are four other projects and two have already been awarded to W.M. Jordan - Greek Village and Shenandoah Residence Hall. The other projects are the construction of the Alumni House and the expansion of Regattas Dining Facility.

Mr. Brauer explained the three resolutions which support the construction of these facilities. Resolution 1: Debt Issuance Authorization - Expand Dining Facilities, Resolution 2: Debt Issuance Authorization - Construct Residential Housing and Resolution 3: Debt Issuance Authorization - Construct Residence Hall VII. Ms. Hunnicutt noted that these Resolutions come before the full Board at the recommendation of the Committee. Following questions and discussion Rector White called for a motion to approve Resolution 1. Mr. Byler provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Jennings and approved by unanimous vote of the Board. Mr. Morgan moved to approve Resolution 2, seconded by Mr. Tillett and approved by unanimous vote of the Board. Mr. Tillett moved to approve Resolution 3, seconded by Ms. Ward and the Resolution passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Mr. Brauer reviewed Resolution 4: Cancellation of Accounts Considered Uncollectible which is presented to the Board each year. This resolution writes off bad debt but he explained that efforts do not stop to collect these monies. He said that debts of $3,000 and above are turned over to the Attorney General's office and smaller debts are turned over to collection agencies. It was noted the amount to be written off was remarkably small given our budget. Mr. Byler moved for adoption of Resolution 4, seconded by Mr. Hunter and following discussion it was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Academic Affairs Committee Report

Mr. Jennings said the Committee had a great meeting with good discussions. He reported that the search is underway for a Dean of the Luter School of Business. A consulting firm has been hired and they expect that we will have 30-60 candidates and eight will be interviewed. He said that there are 20 searches underway for faculty. Five have finished successfully and eight offers have been extended. He noted that two new faculty positions will be added next year bringing the faculty total to 275.

Undergraduate research is an important part of the emerging academic identity of CNU and is of great value to our students as they plan their careers upon graduation and there has been increased support for the Summer Scholars Program. Under this program a faculty member and a student submit a joint proposal for research and they work together for eight weeks over the summer. The student is paid and receives a housing stipend. The goal is to fund 20 summer scholars.

He reported that the Provost is proposing a tiered system of rankings for Lecturers. He noted that having a significant pool of Lecturers and Instructors is a key component to increasing the number of small classes and reducing the number of adjuncts. This proposal has been given to the Faculty Senate. He also said the Faculty Senate is reviewing a parental leave proposal.

Mr. Jennings told the Board CNU is going through the re-affirmation process and will be reviewed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in the 2016-2017 academic year. Mr. Jennings explained the process and timeline.

Mr. Jennings said that the Provost shared information about the CLA+ that was administered to our seniors last spring and freshmen this fall. The CLA+ measures how students have progressed from freshmen to seniors. CNU seniors scored in the 78th percentile and freshmen scored in the 75th percentile. A value-added calculation estimating the growth of student learning shows that CNU performs better than 72% of those institutions administering the CLA+.

The Committee learned that study abroad initiatives continue with 320-350 students expected to study abroad this year. There are twelve summer trips planned and students are already studying at the University of Glasgow and in China at Beijing Normal University.

Preparation for application to Phi Beta Kappa continues. Mr. Jennings noted that study abroad opportunities and summer research programs are an important part of this process and that 10% of our faculty are PBK.

Mr. Jennings said the Committee reviewed and recommended Resolution 5: Plan of Compensation noting that the numbers are the same as last year. Rector White called for a second to the recommendation which was provided by Mr. Hughes and Resolution 5 passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

Student Life Committee Report

Mr. Millar said the Committee had a very good meeting with several student athletes attending. He said that the athletic report was very interesting and that 60% of the students at CNU participate in some type of sporting activity. Mr. Millar said that the General Assembly recently required universities to adopt a code of conduct for student athletes. He explained Resolution 6: Student Athlete Discipline which ensures that CNU is in compliance with the General Assembly mandate. He said this is not a change to our current policies and procedures. Mr. Millar said the Resolution comes to the Board at the recommendation of the Committee. Rector White called for a motion to adopt Resolution 6, provided by Mr. Jennings, seconded by Ms. Ward and approved by unanimous vote of the Board.

The Committee was given an update on freshman admission by Dean Lange. Admission and scholarship applications are keeping pace with last year and are on track to enroll an excellent class. There have been over 7,400 applications and more early action offers were made this year. Dean Lange highlighted the student recruitment activities of the Office of Admission. Outreach efforts to minority students continues and Mr. Davidson reported on the relationship building with students, parents and high school leaders. It was reported that minority admission is up 2% and SAT and GPA scores are also higher. CNU is working with the Newport News school system on an early college program where students take community college courses to earn credit toward college.

Mr. Millar said that the Committee was given an update on enrollment services and pointed out the retention of entering freshman from fall 2014 returning in the spring semester was 95%. Over 900 sophomores declared their majors on Signing Day and there has been an increase in peer tutoring by the Center for Academic Success. The Career Center has increased its efforts to be engaged with employers, has held a spring career and graduate school fair, graduate and professional school fair and will host an internship and summer employment fair as well.

The Committee discussed sexual assault on campuses and noted that CNU is evaluating and reviewing policies and procedures ensuring we are in compliance with the new legislation. He introduced Ms. Michele Moody who is CNU's Title IX Director and leading this effort with a number of others at the University.

Dean Hughes discussed Greek Life on campus stating that participation is on an upward trend with 27% of the student population involved in Greek activities. He said that 99% of our students were matched with their preferred sorority. Additionally, he said that there are growing numbers of students seeking leadership positions on campus, there has been an increase of individual and group services within the office of Counseling Services and there is continued satisfaction with the residential experience. He reported on the many other activities on campus including the Inclusive Leadership Conference, the Captain's Ball and the annual Pancake Breakfast.

Faculty Senate Report

Dr. Jana Adamitis, President of the Faculty Senate, reported that the Senate is reviewing the proposals on lecturers and parental leave. She expressed appreciation for the work that the university is doing to prevent sexual assault on campus and making sure CNU is in compliance with federal and state legislation. Dr. Adamitis said that a major goal of the Faculty Senate is to ensure that lines of communication between the faculty and administration remain clear and a number of handbook changes will be recommended this year by the Faculty Senate in order to accomplish this goal.

Alumni Society Report

Mr. Mark Bernecker, President of the Alumni Society said that networking and outreach to alumni continues. He reported that a President's Leadership Alumni Chapter had been chartered. Mr. Bernecker said that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Alumni Society and the foundation was being revised which required a by-law change. Working with the Office of Alumni Relations and University Advancement, necessary changes were being made. The revisions add the President of the University as an ex officio officer of the Alumni Board. The President is required to appoint two Board of Visitors members and senior administrators as ex officio members. The appointments from the Board are Mr. Brad Hunter and Mr. Scott Millar and from the University, Ms. Adelia Thompson and Ms. Amie Dale.

At 1:45 p.m. Secretary Freeman called for a motion to enter closed session under the Freedom of Information Act Section 2.2-3711(a) (1) Personnel, (a)(3) real estate, (a)(6) investments, (a) (8) Gifts, Bequests and Fundraising and (a)(10) honorary degrees. Dr. Ward provided the motion, seconded by Rector White and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

The Board returned to open session and Secretary Freeman asked for a roll call certifying that only public matters were discussed that were identified in the motion by which the executive or closed meeting was called. Board members Mr. Downey, Mr. Tillett, Mr. Millar, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Byler, Mr. Ermatinger, Mr. Morgan, Ms. Hunnicutt, Mr. Hunter, Dr. Ward, Ms. Freeman and Rector White certified to the above.

Rector White called for approval of the motion to award honorary degrees at commencement to Secretary Anne Holton, Governor and Mrs. Holton and Mr. Joe Adachi. Mr. Jennings provided the motion, seconded Mr. Downey and with abstentions from Mr. Millar and Mr. Byler, the motion was approved by majority vote of the Board.

Rector White called for a motion to approve the following resolutions: Resolution 7: Promotions Instructional Faculty, Mr. Morgan provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Ward and passed by unanimous vote of the Board; Resolution 8: Tenured Appointments of Instructional Faculty, Mr. Tillett provided the motion, seconded by Mr. Downey and passed by unanimous vote of the Board; and Resolution 9: Faculty Sabbatical Leaves, Mr. Byler provided the motion, seconded by Ms. Ward and passed by unanimous vote of the Board.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.