RD424 - James Madison University Annual Executive Summary - January, 2014


    Executive Summary:
    James Madison University was established in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg and became James Madison University in 1977. The Board of Visitors was established in 1964 and currently has fifteen members who serve on the board. Mr. Jonathan R. Alger became the sixth president of James Madison University in 2012. During 2013, the Board of Visitors held four meetings: January 18, April 5, June 6-7, and October 4.

    § 23-2.01 Boards of visitors; public access to information.

    The Board participates in closed session during the regular meetings of the board. The specific reason and code specification is announced in the motion to move into closed session as designated in the Code. Only those items listed in the motion are discussed in closed session. When reconvening in open session, each board member is asked,

    “During the closed session, the board discussed only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements and only those types of matters identified in the motion for the closed session.”

    The vote is then recorded in the minutes. No action is ever taken during the closed session.

    § 23-2.02 Board of visitors; bylaws.

    The Board Manual has been updated during the fall semester and will be presented to the board for approval at the January 17, 2014 meeting. After its approval, the manual, which includes the by-laws, will be posted on the university’s website. The meetings of the JMU Board of Visitors are announced on the university’s website and the Commonwealth Calendar. In addition, the media is notified of all board meetings according to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The notice includes whether public comment will be taken at the meeting. Each of the four meetings held in 2013 were announced in this way. Documents related to the board meeting are available through the Office of Public Affairs. An executive summary of the actions at the board meeting are posted on the university’s website at the conclusion of the meeting. The draft minutes of the board meeting are posted on the website within the required ten days and the approved minutes are posted within the required three days. All actions of the board are discussed in open session and recorded in the minutes. The Attorney General’s representative is also the university’s legal counsel and attends the board meetings.

    § 23-2.03 Board of visitors; annual meeting with the president of the institution.

    The Executive Committee of the board evaluates the president’s performance annually in the fall. This evaluation is discussed with the president in January of each year and reviewed with the full board in closed session at the January meeting. Following the closed session, any adjustments to the president’s employment contract is presented for approval in open session. The evaluation of the president’s performance for 2012-13 has been completed and the Rector of the Board will be providing a summary of the evaluation at the board meeting on January 17, 2014.

    § 23-2.04 Board of visitors; executive committee.

    The Board Manual outlines the statement of governance and a code of ethics for the board members. The by-laws of the board are reviewed periodically and appropriate changes are recommended to the full board. In consultation with the administration of the university, the Rector and the executive committee consider committee appointments. All new board members attend an orientation conducted by the administration of the university which includes an overview of the responsibilities of board members including the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, their liability, the structure of the board, trends in higher education, and the history, master plan/strategic plan, and organizational structure of the university. The board is currently drafting a set of qualification and competencies for membership on the board.