RD40 - 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 2015, the Board of Visitors of Old Dominion University held three regular meetings on April 23, 2015, September 24, 2015, and December 3, 2015, and its annual meeting on June 11, 2015. 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’s executive committee met twice on March 23, 2015 and July 20, 2015, and the Board’s annual retreat was held on January 22, 2015. During these meetings, the Board received briefings and/or held discussions on the following topics:

    • Future Funding Strategies
    • Fundraising Strategy
    • Strategic Plan Funding Strategies
    • FY16 Budget and Tuition and Fees
    • Internet2 100G Network
    • Hampton Roads Veterans Business Outreach Center
    • Executive Order 41 “Ban the Box”
    • President’s Task Force on Inclusive Excellence
    • Virginia Consortium for Public Health and Population Health Sciences
    • FY16 SWaM Plan
    • Information Security Update
    • Transportation and Parking Services Update
    • Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program
    • Campus Safety Plan Update
    • Six-Year Academic and Financial Plan
    • Compliance Plan for Higher Education, JLARC Recommendations
    • Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2015
    • Virginia Retirement System ORP Update

    An exit conference with the Auditor of Public Accounts on the University’s audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, was held on June 11, 2015.

    The following actions were taken by the Board during 2015:

    • 77 faculty appointments, 97 administrative faculty appointments, six appointments with tenure, 17 emeritus/emerita appointments, and granted tenure to 12 faculty members
    • Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Provost Carol Simpson
    • Appointed new Provost Austin Agho
    • Appointed new Dean of the Strome College of Business
    • Two dual employments
    • Awarded four honorary degrees
    • Revised six Board policies
    • Four new degree programs: M.S. in Maritime Trade and Supply Chain Management, B.S. in Sport Management, M.S. in Sport Management and M.S. in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies
    • Resolution in Support of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014
    • Appointed faculty representatives to the Board standing committees
    • Appointed student representative to the Board
    • Revised Board’s Bylaws
    • Six-Year Academic and Financial Plan
    • Comprehensive Fees for FY16
    • FY16 Operating Budget and Plan
    • Renamed the Albert Brooks Gornto, Jr. Teletechnet Center
    • Two Amendments to Deed of Lease with the ODU Real Estate Foundation for student housing and parking in the University Village
    • President’s Compensation Package

    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 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 2015, 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. The Board approved, by unanimous vote, the President’s compensation package at its meeting on June 11, 2015.

    § 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 24, 2015.

    • 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 17, 2015, and was attended by all three 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.