Black Box Theater, NCAA reaccreditation, student conduct policies among topics discussed at board of visitors meeting

6 Nov 2006

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors took action on several resolutions during its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting held on campus today.

Among them, the board approved a policy on Virginia Tech-sponsored applications for permanent residency (also known as “green cards”). In recent years, the university has seen an increase in the number of foreign scholars applying for, and being appointed to, both instructional and research faculty positions. Foreign scholars make up a large proportion of the doctoral-trained workforce in certain fields and the marketplace for talent has become international, especially in the sciences and engineering. The approved policy will establish consistent guidelines for handling applications for permanent residency.

The board was updated on the progress of the university’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I Certification program. As part of the program, Virginia Tech has begun a comprehensive self-study to thoroughly review all of its athletics programs. The review, which will be completed by May 1, 2007, will allow the university to acknowledge the strengths of its athletic program, to identify opportunities to make it better, and to ensure the university’s commitment to integrity in intercollegiate athletics.

To hold students more accountable for their own unacceptable behavior, the board approved two revisions to the University Policies for Student Life. The first revision will enable Virginia Tech to utilize the University Judicial System when students engage in unacceptable behavior on other college campuses. Likewise, the university will inform other colleges and universities of student misconduct when visiting students behave in an unacceptable manner on the Virginia Tech campus. The second revision will empower the university to withhold an academic degree due to misconduct resulting in suspension or dismissal.

The board also approved a resolution to change its own bylaws. Revisions to the board of visitors' bylaws were necessary as a result of the Higher Education Restructuring Act of 2005 and other changes in the Code of Virginia.

The Buildings and Grounds Committee reviewed architectural renderings of the proposed Black Box Theater portion of the Henderson Hall renovation project. The 8,600 square-foot addition, to be located on College Avenue, will provide academic space for the School of the Arts.

The board also approved the reappointment of Rosemary C. Goss as Residential Property Management Advisory Board Professor in the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Five professors and administrators were honored with emeritus status.

The next quarterly meeting of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will be held March 25-26, 2007 on the Virginia Tech campus.