Board of Visitors holds quarterly meeting on campus

The Radford University Board of Visitors (BOV) held its quarterly meeting Sept. 17-18 at Radford University.

The board was updated on the progress and many accomplishments of campus divisions including academics, business affairs, student affairs, governance, information technology, athletics, fundraising and marketing.

Among the plans and actions approved by the board were:

• the university's operating budget of $206.3 million (Fiscal Year 2015-16), which includes an additional  two percent average salary increase for teaching and research faculty
   
  
• Radford University's 2015 Six-Year Plan and the 2016-2022 Six-Year Capital Outlay Plan
   
• a resolution honoring Radford University student-athletes Teresa Williamson and Stephen Hudgens who were selected as the 2014-15 Big South Conference Female and Male Scholar-Athletes of the Year
   
• amendments to the University's Threat Management Policy to ensure compliance with updated Virginia Code § 23-9.2:8.  Revisions include procedures for notifying the institution's student health or counseling center when a student exhibits suicidal tendencies or behavior.
   
• amendments to the Radford University Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation policy that incorporate necessary updates resulting from related Commonwealth of Virginia legislation
   
• an adoption of resolutions honoring retiring Board members Michael A. Wray and Matthew B. Crisp '04.
   
• the appointment of Hannah Gullickson as the Student Representative to the Board of Visitors. Gullickson, of Evans, Ga., is a senior chemistry major and biology minor.

President Penelope W. Kyle presented to the Board a video summarizing spring semester Radford Amazonian Research Expedition (RARE) to the Las Piedras Biodiversity Station in the Peruvian Amazonian rainforest and introduced Radford University faculty members Jason Davis, assistant professor of Biology, and Joy Caughron, assistant professor of Biology, who led the expedition.  RARE provided Radford University undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to conduct original biological research.

The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) heard a report from Dean of Admissions James Pennix on enrollment and retention. Pennix spoke of enrollment initiatives, including recruitment of students from culturally diverse populations and out-of-state students.

The AAC also learned that faculty emeriti status has been awarded to eight faculty members:

• Anne Alexander, Health and Human Performance
   
• Donald Hall, Psychology
   
• Margaret Hrezo, Political Science
   
• William Hrezo, Political Science
   
• Jeffery Saperstein, English
   
• Wayne Saubert, Accounting, Finance and Business Law
   
• Jill Stewart, Mathematics and Statistics
   
• Beverly Zeakes, Health and Human Performance.

The Advancement/ Alumni Relations & Communications/Marketing Committee (AACMC) received a branding and marketing update from Joe Carpenter, vice president for University Relations and chief communications officer. The AACMC also received year end results for Fiscal Year 2014-15 fundraising from Melissa Wohlstein, vice president for University Advancement. According to Wohlstein, the total amount of private funds raised increased 12.5 percent compared to the previous year. The AACMC also received reports about the successful implementation of a customer relationship management (CRM) program that will assist in more efficient fundraising and engagement.

The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) was briefed by Student Government Association President Colby Bender on the upcoming SGA elections. Bender also discussed the SGA Voting Action Office, a new initiative. The SGA has partnered with the Radford City registrar to establish a Voting Action Office on campus. Eighteen student-volunteers were recently trained as assistant deputy registrars. Bender also briefed the committee on an upcoming campus safety walk, to be scheduled at a later date.

The SAC heard information on the success of the new student move-in activities as well as the New Student Convocation, held at the beginning of the semester. The board was updated on the university's enhanced recreational opportunities at the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the opening of the new Student Outdoor Recreation Complex and the partnership with the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

The Governance, Administration and Athletics Committee (GAAC) received an update from Danny Kemp, vice president for Information Technology, on the nearly-complete Radford University website redesign project.

The GAAC received an update from Title IX Coordinator Brooke Chang regarding.  Chang also provided the committee with information about on-going efforts to train and educate students, faculty and staff on sexual assault and harassment prevention, reporting and victim support procedures.

Director for Intercollegiate Athletics Robert Lineburg and Associate Athletics Director Stephanie Ballein reported on progress of Radford Athletics' strategic plan "Moving Forward Together." They also spoke about the Radford University student-athlete experience, academic and athletic excellence, resource development and branding and marketing.

The Business Affairs and Audit Committee (BAAC) received a written brief on several capital projects including:

• the Student Outdoor Recreation Complex, which opened in August 2015
   
• ongoing residence hall renovation projects, including Pocahontas and Bolling Halls, which came online in August 2015
   
• the Center for the Sciences, set to come online in January 2016
   
• the new academic home of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, set to open Fall 2016
   
• future Whitt Hall renovations
  

The BAAC was also presented information on various alternative tuition models for future BAAC discussion.

The next BOV meeting will take place Nov. 12-13 in Richmond.