RD38 - University of Mary Washington Annual Executive Summary of Interim Activity and Work of the Board of Visitors


    Executive Summary:
    In accordance with Va. Code § 23-2.05, the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington provides the following summary of its activities since the submission of its last executive summary. Pursuant to Va. Code § 23-2.01, the Board continued its practice of conducting all Board, committee, and subcommittee meetings in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. Consistent with the requirements of Va. Code § 23-2.02, the Board's bylaws are posted on the Board's website and the bylaws include all statutorily required terms. An Attorney General’s representative has been invited to all Board meetings and has attended most. The Board conducted a 360-degree assessment of the President as specified in its bylaws, in addition to conducting its regular annual assessment of the President. As required by Va. Code § 23-2.03, the Board held a closed meeting to provide an evaluation of the University President's performance. In conjunction with that meeting, the Board voted to amend the President’s contract and extend the term of the contract through June 30, 2017. In accordance with Va. Code § 23-2.04, the Board's Executive Committee organized the working processes of the Board to accomplish the specific governance practices identified therein. The Board has adopted a statement of governance and a code of ethics for Visitors. Effective July 2014, three new Board members were appointed (one to fulfill the term of a Board member who resigned) and one Board member was reappointed. The Board conducted orientation and continuing education programs for Visitors that included training on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. In addition, new Board members were provided an orientation session for the UMW Foundation. The development of a set of qualifications and competencies recommended for membership on the Board remains in progress. Four Board members attended the annual Association of Governing Boards (AGB) National Conference on Trusteeship. Newly appointed and reappointed members of the Board attended the mandatory SCHEV orientation program. Highlights of the Board's activities since the 2013 report was filed are set forth below, along with information regarding access to the minutes of all related meetings:

    January 13, 2014: Executive Committee Meeting

    The Executive Committee met with members of the University Faculty Council, as specified in the Board’s bylaws, to discuss faculty matters. The Executive Committee approved the agenda for the February Board of Visitors meeting.

    February 20-21, 2014: Board of Visitors Meeting

    New Board members were provided an orientation by the UMW Foundation. The Board held a closed meeting to discuss the President’s 360-degree assessment. The Board discussed its participation in a board governance survey being conducted under sponsorship of SCHEV.

    March 19, 2014: Executive Committee Meeting

    The Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors met with members of the University Faculty Council, as specified in the Board’s bylaws, to discuss faculty matters. The Executive Committee approved the agenda for the April Board of Visitors meeting. The Executive Committee met in closed meeting to discuss the President’s contract; no action was taken following the closed meeting.

    April 9-10, 2014: Board of Visitors Meeting

    The Board received a report on activities of the UMW Foundation. The Board discussed the Board self-assessment process, including its participation in the SCHEV-sponsored board governance survey.

    May 9, 2014: Board of Visitors Meeting

    The Board of Visitors approved the 2014-2015 tuition and fee schedule and the preliminary budget plan.

    July 8, 2014: Nominating and Governance Committee Meeting

    In accordance with the Board’s bylaws, the Nominating and Governance Committee met to adopt a slate of nominees for Board Officers and At-large Executive Committee members.

    August 3-6, 2014: Annual Board of Visitors Planning Retreat

    The Board of Visitors conducted an orientation program for new members. The Board received a FOIA/COIA presentation by Carrie Nee, Assistant Attorney General. The Board elected Board Officers and At-large Executive Committee members. The Board of Visitors discussed Board self-assessment, including recent board governance surveys conducted by JLARC and under sponsorship of SCHEV. The Board conducted its annual evaluation of the President, as specified in its bylaws. The Board voted to extend the President’s contract through June 30, 2017, and to amend the terms of the contract.

    August 25, 2014: Executive Committee Meeting

    The Executive Committee approved the agenda for the Board of Visitors September meeting.

    September 18-19, 2014: Board of Visitors Meeting

    Board members were provided a tour of campus facilities, as part of its ongoing orientation and education. The Board of Visitors discussed the Board self-assessment process, determining that a self-assessment would be conducted prior to the next Annual Planning Retreat in summer 2015.

    October 21-22, 2014: SCHEV Board of Visitors Orientation

    All three of the three new members of the UMW Board of Visitors, as well as the reappointed Board member, attended the mandatory orientation program presented by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in Richmond in compliance with the requirements of Va. Code § 23-9.14:1. In addition, the Rector and Vice Rector attended the session provided for board leadership.

    October 23, 2014: Executive Committee Meeting

    The Executive Committee met with members of the University Faculty Council, as specified in the Board’s bylaws, to discuss faculty matters. The Executive Committee approved the agenda for the November Board of Visitors meeting.

    November 13-14, 2014: Board of Visitors Meeting

    The Board of Visitors discussed and reviewed the October SCHEV orientation program.

    Minutes of all meetings of the Board of Visitors and its committees are available at:
    http://www.boarddocs.com/va/umw/Board.nsf/Public