The University Board of Visitors will convene Thursday for the first time since the Board appointed Rector Carlos M. Brown and Vice Rector Victoria Harker in a special meeting Feb. 21. Unlike typical meetings of the Board, only the Health System Board, Buildings and Grounds Committee and full Board will meet for a reduced meeting schedule due to Board member availability.
The HSB meeting will be held at Boar’s Head Resort and will not be livestreamed. Both the Buildings and Grounds Committee and full Board meetings will be held in the Board Room of The Rotunda and will be livestreamed on Youtube. Members of the public may attend open sessions of all meetings — though seating is limited.
The HSB oversees the operations and provides governance for the University Medical Center, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing. HSB is composed of voting members including the Board rector and six appointed Board members, and no more than six public members may serve for up to four-year terms.
Ex-officio non-voting advisory members include the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the University, the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Center, the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Dean of the School of Nursing and the President of the Clinical Staff of the Medical Center. Board member David Okonkwo currently serves as HSB’s chair.
HSB has received written reports from the Medical Center, School of Medicine and School of Nursing, and in closed session, will discuss business matters, recruitment strategy and finances to further strategic initiatives of the three entities. Additionally during closed session, HSB will receive consultation from legal counsel regarding federal and state legal requirements and accreditation standards.
The Medical Center’s report details leadership role updates, employee appreciation events including holiday meals and an end-of-year celebration and clinical and operational changes including the expansion of its Medical Park at Zion Crossroads and a planned employee engagement survey. The report also lists awards for U.Va. Health’s commitment to patient care and research.
The School of Medicine’s report details recognition of individuals with leadership roles, including dedication of the Carey Courtyard for former SOM Dean Robert Carey and Bobby Chhabra, Lillian T. Pratt Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, taking office as the 80th president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Additionally, the report includes research innovations in drug discovery and memory loss, a symposium held in November centered on cardiovascular disease in women and student scholarly achievements.
In the School of Nursing’s report, Board members were given information on applicants and strategic planning, leadership changes and philanthropic and alumni affairs. Events detailed in the report include the 2025 Undergraduate Recognition and White Coat Ceremony, guest speakers and lectures and a Spring Semester Kick-off All-school meeting.
In open session, HSB will hear a finance report from HSB’s Finance Working Group, and HSB will undertake credentialing and recredentialing actions. According to the written finance report, U.Va. Health’s operating income for the first six months of FY26 was favorable to budget, and this favorable outcome was driven by clinical performance and patient progression.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee is responsible for the use, maintenance and security of University buildings. The Committee selects architects and engineers for construction projects, and it approves the siting, construction and naming of buildings.
The Committee is set to review and approve the U.Va. College at Wise’s Master Plan Update 2035, and it will also approve the schematic designs for the Research Data Center at the Charlottesville campus.
The Board approved the College at Wise 2025 Master Plan in 2016, and the renewed 2035 plan will incorporate updates to the core academic area of the campus and will look into expanding two redevelopment zones.
The Board currently authorizes a budget of $72 million for the Research Data Center project that was approved September 2018. The Buildings and Grounds Committee will be able to approve the schematic design for the center that is guided by principles of enhanced patient care, connectivity to Grounds and replacing outdated clinical and research infrastructure.
For review, the Buildings and Grounds Committee will hear from University Architect Alice Raucher on the schematic design for the School of Data Science and Entrepreneurship building. Lastly, the committee will also hear a report on proposed revisions for the FY2027 Major Capital Plan.
The project budget for the School of Data Science and Entrepreneurship building is $77 million, and the long-term framework plan for the building was approved September 2016 to redevelop the Ivy Road Corridor. According to the agenda, the committee will review design plans that will enable the building to “create a new interdisciplinary computational research environment.”
The multi-year major capital is presented annually at the Buildings and Grounds Committee's March meeting for review, and in this meeting, the committee decides whether projects should be added to the plan. The proposed FY2027 Plan involves additional projects including an Athletics Multipurpose Practice field, Copeley Connector Road and three new updates to U.Va. Health buildings.
In addition to the proposed projects, according to the written report to the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the University also will initiate planning for future projects. Some of these include Scott Stadium North Endzone improvements, a multi-use facility at U.Va. Wise and a reconfiguration of College of Arts and Sciences buildings.
In the full Board meeting, the 17 members are set to discuss topics including a macro financial overview and a University of Virginia Investment Management Company overview. The Board will also hear remarks from Brie Gertler, interim executive vice president and provost, Board Rector Carlos Brown, Gregory Perryman, Board Student Representative and fourth-year College student and Board Faculty Representative Jim Lambert.
The full Board will also approve the Coogan Family Bicentennial Professorship to support a scholar in the Darden School of Business and the Sarah A. and Frank M. Hamlin Directorship and Professorship of the Causeways Program for Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
The full Board meeting will conclude with a Board-wide discussion with University leadership led by University President Scott Beardsley.
Read More
Sigma Nu under interim suspension following hazing allegations
By Lauren Seeliger | 1 hours agoThe University’s chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity is under interim suspension as of Feb. 25 according to Marsh Pattie, associate vice president for student affairs.
Batten admits reflect on the admissions process and their future at the school
By Komal Reddymachu | 11 hours agoBatten offers a two-year undergraduate major in Public Policy and Leadership as well as two minors in Public Policy and Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship.
Third annual Founders Forum draws students and alumni to hear from entrepreneurs
By Edward Christopher | YesterdayThe Galant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted its third annual Founders Forum Wednesday.
