In a closed session meeting yesterday afternoon, the University Board of Visitors elected Gordon F. Rainey Jr. to serve as its 37th rector and Thomas F. Farrell II, its first vice rector under its new leadership format.
Rainey, chair of the Richmond law firm Hunton & Williams, will succeed John P. Ackerly III. Rainey was appointed to the Board in 2000 and formerly has served as chair of the student affairs and athletics committee and as a member of the Board's executive committee.
Farrell, also a Richmond resident, is chief executive officer of Dominion Energy Inc. He will act as vice rector for two years before automatically taking the post of rector in July 2005. Farrell, former chair of the buildings and grounds committee and member of the executive committee, was appointed to the Board in 2001.
The creation of a vice rector position and the shortening of the rector's term from four to two years were changes the Virginia General Assembly passed at the end of February, according to Board Secretary Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam Jr.
Gov. Mark R. Warner approved an emergency provision a couple of weeks ago which allows the Board to elect its rector and vice rector with the changes in effect, Gilliam said.
These adjustments bring the Board in line with the governing boards of other Virginia public schools.
Because this is the first year the rector will share responsibilities with a vice rector, a formal division of duties has yet to be determined.
"Since we haven't done this before, we're going to let that evolve and see what makes the most sense," Rainey said.
One of the key motivations for the addition of a vice rector post was to relieve the work load placed on the rector, Gilliam said.
Rainey said he expects the rector and vice rector to work closely together during their terms to maintain long term consistency in interests and initiatives.
"There is almost a six year horizon in terms of planning and staying on the same planning trajectory," he said.
Some issues expected to require future planning include the upcoming Capital Campaign and the newly-established special committee on diversity and equity.
Improving Board efficiency also will be an important issue, Rainey said.
"Members of our Board are very talented and their time is valuable and limited," he added. "We need to make the best use of their time."
One of the first duties the new rector will undertake is the appointment of members to the Board's eight standing committees.
Rainey said he has begun talking to members, soliciting their specific interests, and will make committee assignments by the middle of the month.
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