At the April Board of Visitors meeting this weekend, members discussed a number of issues including proposed capital outlay projects, tuition and rate increases, and the University's 2020 commission reports.
The Board of Visitors is composed of 16 members appointed by the governor, and a non-voting student member. Responsible for the long-term planning of the University, the members meet with the president four times a year to approve its policies and budget.
Capital projects
At the Board's Saturday session, members approved the University's new $959 million six-year capital outlay plan.
The plan calls for a mix of renovation projects, new construction efforts, and infrastructure projects between 2002 and 2008.
"This is a very large capital program," said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget. "It comprises a major portion of the budget."
The plan's proposed long-term capital projects include renovations of Cocke, Rouss and New Cabell Halls. The plan also recommended the construction of a new sports arena to replace University Hall, a Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering facility, the proposed new student center, and the proposed fine arts precinct.
Other projects include Medical Center expansion, various utility projects and construction efforts at the College at Wise.
Burma
Although the Board declined to place the issue of divestiture from Burma on the meeting's Friday agenda, members discussed how it would proceed with the issue.
In a memorandum presented to the Board, University Rector John P. Ackerly III outlined several reasons for declining to put the item on the agenda.
"I do not see that a significant portion of the University's efforts should be devoted to controversies ... that only indirectly affect us ... if the University takes a position on Burma, why should it not take a position with respect to atrocious conditions in other parts of the world?" the memo reads.
Even though the Board initially declined to consider the issue in its meeting, Ackerly said that Student Council's request to divest from Burma is now "entitled to significant and serious consideration."
According to the memo, Board member and former U.S. Rep. Thomas J. Bliley, in consultation with William H. Goodwin Jr., chairman of the Board's finance committee, will review the matter and meet with Council and members of the administration to "bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion."
Tuition Increase
Also during the Friday session of the meeting, Board members passed a resolution calling for increased tuition rates.
In order to comply with a tuition freeze policy approved by the 2000 Virginia General Assembly, the Board increased in-state undergraduate student combined tuition and fees by 1.8 percent to $4,236, and out-of-state student tuition and fees by 4.9 percent to $18,268.
Graduate student in-state tuition rates increased 3.1 percent to $5,178, and out-of-state rates also increased 4.9 percent to $18,268.
Leonard W. Sandridge Jr., executive vice president and chief financial officer, said scholarships help offset the negative effects of higher out-of-state tuition rates, but "we have to be sensitive from year to year."
The Board also agreed to raise housing rates 6.2 percent to an average of $2,230 and dining rates 3 percent to an average of $2,710.
Rates also were increased for the Darden, Law and Medical Schools in order to move the schools "toward financial self-sufficiency" from the state, Sheehy said.
2020 reports
At the Friday meeting the Board discussed the 2020 Commission's final reports.
University President John T. Casteen III established the 2020 Commissions in 1998 to "define long-term goals" for where the University wants to be in the next 20 years.
The reports outline the final recommendations of four task forces in areas the University seeks to improve: science and technology, fine and performing arts, international programs, and public service and outreach.
After some discussion, the Board passed a resolution agreeing that Casteen, in consultation with the Board, should proceed to implement measures in accordance with the 2020 reports' goals, University spokeswoman Louise Dudley said.
Athletics
As part of its discussion on the 2020 initiatives, the Board discussed the final report of the Strategic Planning Task Force for the Athletics Department.
The 17-member task force was created by Casteen as part of the Virginia 2020 long-term planning effort, and emphasizes the goals of excellence, community, compliance and fiscal responsibility in athletics. The commission is composed of faculty, staff, one student, alumni and athletics department representatives. Director of Athletics Terry Holland is an ex officio member of the commission.
Facing a projected athletic operating budget deficit of $47.4 million by 2010, the task force recommended that the Board restructure the funding system for the University's 24 sports, raise student fees for athletics by $50, and raise a $100 million endowment to support the operating budget.
The athletics department must find a way to "balance academics, athletics and finances," Task Force Chairwoman Carolyn Callahan said. There has been an "incredible rate of rise in expenditure in recent years," she added.
To comply with Title IX, a law that bars gender discrimination at institutions receiving federal funds, the group also recommended the creation of a women's golf team and the elimination of men's indoor track and field.
The athletic department's current operating deficit is expected to exceed $200,000, but after 10 years, the department projects that the annual deficit could reach $10.4 million
According to the task force's report, varsity sports would be classified into four tiers, with less support in each successive tier.
In response to the recommendations, the Board passed a resolution sending the task force's report to the Board's finance committee and student affairs and athletics committee for further evaluation, Dudley said.
The Board, which has the final say in implementing the task force's recommendations, agreed to consider the report again at a later date after the committees finish their review, she said.
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