Shelly Gardner-Lutz

The meeting included a public comment session concerning the discontinuation of labor and delivery services at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and a request for WVSOM to explore solutions for rural maternity care access. Key actions involved the adoption of revisions to policy GA-23: Emergencies and Adverse Weather. Committee reports noted positive financial trends from the Finance and Audit Committee. The President provided updates on legislative engagement, the Dean search, and fundraising. The Board received presentations from the outgoing Dean regarding national perspectives on osteopathic medical education and from the Associate Dean regarding statewide campus operations. The CFO reviewed the FY26 financial status as of September 30, 2025, noting strong financial health. The Board elected a new Vice Chair and Secretary, and the Faculty Council Chair presented the Annual Faculty Report.

The meeting included a review and unanimous approval of the September 26, 2025, minutes. Key committee discussions involved the Office of Business Affairs (OBA) update, specifically reviewing the FY26 financials as of September 30, 2025, which indicated a 3.6% year-over-year revenue increase versus a 2.6% expense increase. The OBA previewed a new SharePoint site intended for transparent communication, which will feature a financial dashboard including YTD financials and deferred maintenance updates for facilities like the Founders Activity Center and Student Housing. The Robert C. Byrd Clinic (RCBC) reported operating at a surplus for the first quarter despite HRSA grant drawdown delays due to a government shutdown, and is continuing work on historical accounts receivable cleanup. The Special Task Force is reviewing reimbursement models and researching a repayment strategy for debt owed to WVSOM, with a suggested plan to be presented at the January Board Meeting. Follow-up items for the January meeting include the presentation of the FY 2025 Audit and the formal presentation of the FY 2027 Draft Budget.

Key discussions included the approval of a graduate, the revision and approval of several academic policies (DO-14 regarding COMLEX passage for promotion, GA-20 for graduation dates, and GP-12 for graduation requirements), and an update on academic management software for Years 3 and 4 students, noting that Canvas remains in use for Years 1 and 2. The committee also reviewed student testing data, specifically COMAT data for the Class of 2026, noting an outlier, and discussed COMLEX data for the Classes of 2027 and 2026.

The Institutional Policy Committee meeting addressed Institutional Policy GA-23: Emergencies and Adverse Weather. The General Counsel presented proposed revisions, which were prompted by recent scenarios requiring campus closures due to weather or emergencies. The policy with revisions had completed the required 30-day comment period, and one comment was addressed administratively without requiring further policy changes. The committee unanimously approved the revised policy for presentation to the full Board of Governors. No administrative reports were presented for gathering information or making recommendations.

The agenda for the meeting included roll call and mission statement, introductions, a public comment period, and approval of the minutes from the November 7, 2025 meeting. Key discussion items involved the Auditor's Update, specifically a review of the FY25 Audited Financial Statements. The Board was set to vote on the approval or repeal of numerous academic and institutional policies, including revisions to standards for academic standing, grading, and background checks. Reports included updates from the Chair and the President of WVSOM, covering committee reports, the financial health of WVSOM, the FY26 financial update, the FY27 draft budget, and a facilities update on Science Building renovations. Board Items included the approval of an amendment to the Edward Tucker Architects contract, approval of the Science Building Construction Bid, approval of Graduates, discussion of a potential utility easement grant, and potential restructuring concerning the Robert C. Byrd Clinic. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss personnel employment issues, potential real property matters, and legal matters.