Board of Visitors

2024 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 2023, 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:

• Approval of New Degree Program, The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music
• Negotiated and executed a contract with then President Select, William G. Kelly
• Onboarding of the sixth President of Christopher Newport University.
• Inauguration of William G. Kelly as the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University
• Approval of New Degree Program, The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education
• Began the formal process for an appointment of a non-voting member of the Faculty to the Board of Visitors
• Created an Athletics Committee

In 2023, 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 9, 2023, for the purpose of delivering an evaluation of the Interim President’s performance.

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

• February 2, 2023 – Announcement by the Board of Visitors of its selection of William G. Kelly as the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University.
• March 16, 2023 - Budget Presentation and Public Comment Session on the setting of tuition and fees.
• August 8, 2022 - Board of Visitors Orientation for new members.
• September 14, 2023 - Board of Visitors Orientation for new members.

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, meeting minutes, schedule of meetings, email address for public communications, agendas and supporting materials. The Board of Visitors continues to use a cloud-based platform to manage its meeting agendas and meeting materials and to make those materials publicly available.