Board of Visitors

2023 Annual Executive Summary of Interim Activity

Enabling Authority

§§ 23.1-1400 through 1403

Executive Summary

Christopher Newport University is a public institution of higher education, created by §§ 23.1-1400 through 1403 of the Code of Virginia and governed by the General Assembly of Virginia.

Pursuant to the Code of Virginia § 23.1-1303(B)(13), this Summary of Interim Activity is respectfully submitted. All necessary changes and operational efforts directed by 2013 Chapter 577 have been incorporated into the operations and activities of the Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University.

In 2022, the Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors conducted its business as a “state public body” for purposes of the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only conducted closed meetings in conformance with the provisions of that law.

Highlights from this past year include:

• Instituted and completed a Board self-assessment protocol for academic year 2021-22.
• Adopted a Presidential Search Committee composed of 16 members chosen from Christopher Newport faculty, alumni, Board members, students, former rectors, and staff members. The Presidential Search Committee conducted a national search which culminated in the recommendation of finalists to the Board of Visitors.
• The Board of Visitors conducted interviews for the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University.

In 2022, the Board of Visitors held regularly scheduled meetings in February, April, June, September, and November. In conformance with the provisions of the Code, the Board of Visitors convened and conducted a separate meeting on June 8, 2022, for the purpose of delivering an evaluation of the President’s performance.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, the Board of Visitors held the following meetings:

• March 29, 2022 - Budget Presentation and Public Comment Session on the setting of tuition and fees.
• June 29, 2022 - Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors to approve the FY23 Operating Budget and to set the 2022-23 tuition and fee schedule for all in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students.
• August 8, 2022 - Board of Visitors Orientation for new members.
• October 21, 2022 - Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors for the purpose of discussion and consideration of prospective candidates for the position of President of Christopher Newport University.
• December 2, 2022 - Board of Visitors Announcement Committee Meeting.
• December 11 - 14, 2022 - Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors for the purpose of discussion, consideration and interviews of prospective candidates for the position of President of Christopher Newport University and consultation with legal counsel regarding the search.

The Board of Visitors webpage is located at http://cnu.edu/whoweare/bov/. This website includes access to Board Bylaws, listing of members and committees, schedule of meetings, email address for public communications, agendas, meetings resolutions and supporting materials. The Board of Visitors continues to use a cloud-based platform to manage its meeting agendas, meeting materials, and minutes and to make those materials publicly available.