Bebonchu Atems

This session focused on community service and activism within the 757 area. The first guest, Sandra Cherry, Vice Mayor of the City of Newport News, discussed her dedication to community engagement, efforts to improve the Southeast Community, streetscape improvements along Jefferson Avenue, new housing developments, the Innovation and Opportunity Center, and her commitment to serving the entire city as she runs for mayor. The second guest, Minister Gary McCullough, discussed his background in corporate America and government, emphasizing the importance of his grassroots organization, 'Do The Due,' which focuses on ensuring justice, accountability, transparency, and fairness from police, government, and corporate entities. The discussion also highlighted the critical importance of voting in all elections, especially local and off-year elections, as they determine budgets and resource allocation affecting citizens' lives.

The Board of Visitors meeting agenda included concurrent committee meetings for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance and Administration, and University Advancement. Key discussion topics involved the Framework for the Strategic Plan, SACSCOC Reaffirmation Readiness, and Program Accreditation Readiness within Academic Affairs. Student Affairs planned to discuss the Student Government Association Report and the Impact of Mandatory First Year Live-In Requirement. The Finance and Administration Committee was set to cover the Financial/Budget Report, Budget Savings Strategy, and Enterprise Risk Management Update. University Advancement planned updates on the BOV/NSUF Liaison Committee and Advancement Metrics. The main Board session included reports from the Rector and President, action items recommending approval of an Honorary Degree Candidate and amendments to Board Bylaws, and a review of the BOV Annual Executive Summary. The agenda concluded with business reports from all committees, followed by a Consent Agenda and sessions for Old Business, New Business, and Closed Session covering litigation and personnel matters.

The meeting featured several key discussions regarding academic affairs. Updates were provided on faculty hiring priorities, including filling vacancies for Deans, Department Chairs, and specialized assessment roles. The committee reviewed the status of seven scheduled program accreditation visits for 2017 and the ongoing preparation for the SACSCOC Reaffirmation scheduled for 2018, including the submission of the Institutional Summary Form. Sponsored Programs reported awards approaching $4M for the current academic year, with expectations to exceed the previous year's high of $4.7M. Significant discussion centered on cybersecurity initiatives, including leveraging NSU's infrastructure for industry-recognized credentials and pursuing lead regional and national roles, potentially partnering with the Jefferson Research Laboratory expansion. Furthermore, the committee addressed pathways for students to obtain state positions, including focusing on marketing and expanding the MS online Cybersecurity program, and reviewing the pilot cohort for the RN to BSN Online Program. The Faculty Senate provided an update on its goals for 2016-2017, including addressing faculty salary compression. Action items included recommending approval for a new Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and Theatre, capitalizing on program growth and existing national recognition, and recommending the discontinuance of the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree as part of a reorganization of Journalism and Mass Communications degrees.

The Student Affairs Committee meeting included a review of the impact of the mandatory first-year live-in requirement, noting a significant increase in on-campus freshmen enrollment from 475 in Fall 2015 to 1039 in Fall 2016. Discussion items covered the Student Government Association (SGA) report, which highlighted successful voter registration efforts, positive feedback on Homecoming, and proposals for student development programs. An overview of Norfolk State University's residential facilities detailed current housing options and discussed potential revenue generation during summer months, as well as the need for aesthetic improvements. The committee also reviewed the mission and tenets of The Ideal Spartan Student Affairs Curriculum and received updates on the Enrollment/Census figures, noting a slight decrease in first-time freshmen headcount between the start of the academic year and the census date, and discussed future use of predictive analytics. The Department of Athletics reported on upcoming student-athlete graduations, high academic performance leading to high Academic Progress Rates (APR) projections, and the NCAA task force appointment for Mr. Miller.

The Finance and Administration Committee meeting included a detailed Financial Report and Budget Report, showing a strong financial position as of January 31, 2016, with a projected $689K year-end fund balance, and positive revenue over expenses across Education & General funds. A Legislative Update covered several House and Senate Bills relevant to higher education institutions, including discussions on HB 1075 regarding Memorandums of Understanding with local law enforcement. Projections for the University Operating Budget 2016-2017 were presented, detailing needs for raises, facility maintenance, and utility costs. The committee discussed two options for Undergraduate In-State tuition increases for 2016-2017 and recommended Option A-1 ($156 increase) over Option A-2 ($258 increase), despite concerns about fully funding a living wage increase for lower-paid employees. The committee also accepted draft goals and objectives for 2016-2017 and approved the Board's 2016-2017 budget at $45,238.