RD46 - Annual Executive Summary of the Interim Activity and Work of the Board of Visitors of Old Dominion University


    Executive Summary:
    As stated in Virginia Code §23-2.05, the boards of visitors of each public institution of higher education and the State Board for Community Colleges shall submit to the General Assembly and the Governor an annual executive summary of its interim activity and work no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly.

    During 2014, the Board of Visitors of Old Dominion University held three regular meetings on April 24, 2014, September 18, 2014, and December 4, 2014, and its annual meeting on June 14, 2014. In addition to the regular and annual meetings of the Board and its standing committees (Academic & Research Advancement, Administration & Finance, Audit, Student Enhancement & Engagement, and University Advancement), the Board also met as a group to discuss AASCU’s 2014 Gubernatorial State of the State for Higher Education (April, 2014); the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (April, 2014); the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan (June, 2014; September, 2014); 2014-2015 tuition and fees (June, 2014); 2014-2015 operating budget (June, 2014; September, 2014); JLARC’s survey for Boards of Visitors members (June, 2014); SCHEV’s Statewide Strategic Plan for Higher Education in Virginia (December 2014); and JLARC’s Recommendations and Options for Addressing the Cost of Public Education in Virginia (December, 2014). The Board’s executive committee met twice on November 17, 2014, and March 17, 2014, and the Board’s annual retreat was held on January 23, 2014. During these meetings Board members received briefings on the National Center for Collaboration in Medical Modeling and Simulation, campus safety and policing, and the sea-level rise initiative. An exit conference with the Auditor of Public Accounts on the University’s audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 was held on June 12, 2014.

    The following actions were taken by the Board during 2014:

    • 92 faculty appointments, 116 administrative faculty appointments, two appointments with tenure, eight emeritus/emerita appointments, one posthumous emeritus appointment, one named professorship, and granted tenure to 24 faculty members
    • Approved two bond financing resolutions and one bond reimbursement resolution
    • Approved a new Ph.D. program in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Services (December 4, 2014)
    • Appointed faculty representatives to the Board standing committees (September 18, 2014)
    • Appointed student representative to the Board (April 24, 2014)
    • Awarded an honorary degree to Susan S. Goode (December 4, 2014)
    • Revised Board’s Bylaws (September 18, 2014)
    • Approved 20 new or revised Board policies; rescinded eight policies
    • Named the James A. Hixon Art Studio Building and Annex (June 12, 2014)
    • Named the Strome College of Business and the Strome Entrepreneurial Center (June 12, 2014)
    • Named the President’s Residence The Jacobson House (December 12, 2014)
    • Renamed the College of Continuing Education to College of Continuing Education and Professional Development (April 24, 2014)
    • Renamed the Office of International Student & Scholar Services to the Office of Visa and Immigration Service Advising (April 24, 2014)
    • Renamed the Department of Accounting to the School of Accountancy (September 18, 2014)
    • Renamed the Department of Urban Studies and Public Administration to the School of Public Service (September 18, 2014)
    • Renamed the Regional Studies Institute to the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy (September 18, 2014)
    • Renamed Experiential Learning to Prior Learning Assessment (September 18, 2014)
    • Approved the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan (December 4, 2014)
    • Approved the Six-Year Academic and Finance Plan (September 18, 2014)
    • Approved Comprehensive Fees for FY15 (June 12, 2014)
    • Approved a preliminary Operating Budget (April 24, 2014) and an amended Operating Budget (June 12, 2014)
    • Approved FY15 SWaM Plan (June 12, 2014)
    • Increased President John R. Broderick’s deferred compensation by $12,800 (September 18, 2014)

    The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has advised that institutions should also report on activity specifically related to Virginia Code §23-2.01 (public access to information), 23-2.02 (adopting bylaws), 23-2.03 (BOV annual meeting with the president), and 23-2.04 (duties of the executive committee). The Board has taken the following actions to ensure compliance with the provisions of these statutes:

    § 23-2.01 – Public Access to Information

    The Board operates in a transparent manner, to the extent required by law, in all Board actions. Each of the meetings noted above were open to the public and notice was provided pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3707. The agendas and minutes of the meetings are published on the Board’s website and the Commonwealth Calendar. Any business conducted in a closed session during any of these meetings was done in compliance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3711. The University’s Assistant Attorney General & University Counsel attends all meetings of the Board.

    § 23-2.02 – Bylaws

    The Bylaws of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors are posted on the Board’s website and address the required provisions as noted in § 23-2.02. These Bylaws, revised by the Board on September 18, 2014, note the requirements of the Board in order to ensure the transparency of its actions. Sections 3.07 and 3.08 of the Bylaws require that all meetings of the Board be conducted in accordance with the Code of Virginia, the Bylaws and Board policies and procedures. This is more specifically addressed in Board Policy 1107, Board of Visitors Meeting Scheduling and Procedures. Section 3.07 also states that the Board shall request the presence of the University legal representative at all open and closed meetings and committee meetings, except those where the President is being evaluated or presenting portions of his/her Annual Report dealing with the evaluation of University officers (unless otherwise directed by the Attorney General).

    § 23-2.03 – Annual Meeting with the President

    During 2014, the Board met twice with President John R. Broderick in closed session – at its retreat in January and its annual meeting in June - to discuss his evaluation. They also received a written report and submitted comments and observations to the Rector. As noted above, the Board approved, by unanimous vote, a $12,800 increase to the President’s deferred compensation on September 18, 2014.

    § 23-2.04 – Executive Committee

    The Board’s Executive Committee periodically reviews the requirements of §§ 23-2.01-23-2.05, and has concluded that the specific requirements of § 23-2.04 have been addressed, as follows:

    • Develop and recommend to the board a statement of governance setting out the board’s role – Board Policy 1101 – Board of Visitors Governance

    • Periodically review the board’s bylaws and recommend amendments – An ad hoc Bylaws Committee is appointed annually by the Rector. The Board approved revisions to its Bylaws at its meeting on September 18, 2014.

    • Provide advice to the board on committee structure, appointments, and meetings – Board Policy 1107 – Board of Visitors Meeting Scheduling and Procedures

    • Develop an orientation and continuing education process for visitors that includes training on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act – An orientation session is conducted on an annual basis following the appointment of new Board members and is open for all Board members to attend. This year’s orientation was held on August 18, 2014, and was attended by all five new members. The orientation includes a legal briefing by the University Counsel, which is included on the Board’s website.

    • Create, monitor, oversee, and review compliance with a code of ethics for visitors –The Board’s Code of Ethics was approved unanimously by the Board at its meeting on June 13, 2013.

    • Develop a set of qualifications and competencies for membership on the board for approval by the board and recommendation to the Governor – The Board adopted the Recommended Qualifications and Competencies for Members of the Board of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors on June 12, 2014.