Strategic growth initiatives emerge from Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting
At their regularly scheduled meeting today, Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors approved a resolution that would authorize the university to create a new Health Science Division that would support increased collaborative efforts between the university and Carilion Clinic. The expanded partnership will further support Virginia Tech’s growing research foundation focused on the life sciences. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger told the board that the university must accelerate its growth of life sciences research in order to meet or exceed the $540 million Fiscal Year 2012 research target in the strategic plan.
The board approved a resolution that would authorize, at the discretion of the university president, the establishment of the Virginia Tech Technology Services and Operations Corporation as a university-related corporation. If established, the corporation would leverage and manage university technology and services for potential projects that scale beyond serving only the university. Such initiatives could attract new public and private partners that could favorably impact economic development opportunities in the commonwealth and beyond.
A resolution on a number of potential operating and capital budget initiatives that could be submitted to the Executive Budget adjustments and the General Assembly session was also approved. In addition, the board approved resolutions Faculty Handbook revisions and the appointment of Sherwood G. Wilson, vice president for administrative services, to be appointed as the university’s representative to the Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Authority.
The Academic Affairs Committee heard a report updating them on the proposed Virginia Tech, India campus that will include a 70,000-square-foot campus facility and graduate-level programs for approximately 300 students annually. The committee also heard reports on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, 2010-11 undergraduate and graduate student enrollment projections and the impact of the recent Howard Hughes Medical Institute award.
The Building and Grounds Committee received the annual report on the university’s sustainability initiatives. The report provided a comprehensive status of implementation of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan and highlighted the accomplishments and breadth of sustainability programs at the university.
The Research Committee heard reports on the university’s research performance to date and the latest on the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute The full board also approved a resolution that makes permanent the standing Research Committee.
The Student Affairs and Athletics Committee received reports on the new mission of the Division of Student Affairs as well those on summer orientation, Hokie Camp, Hokie Hi, fall opening, and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
The board honored 12 current faculty members through appointments to endowed professorships. Forty nine individuals were honored with emeritus status.
The next full Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting will be held Nov. 7-8 on the Blacksburg campus. More information on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors may be found online.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
