The Board of Visitors convened yesterday for its quarterly meeting to discuss topics currently impacting Virginia Tech.
The meeting opened with recognition of Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Zenobia Lawrence Hikes, 53, who died Oct. 27 after cardiac surgery complications. Board member Ben J. Davenport read through the resolution honoring Hikes, which the board approved. Following this, members took a moment of silence to remember and honor her life.
Renovations to both McComas Hall and Ambler-Johnston Residence Hall were discussed during the meeting.
The board approved the university's adjustment to the McComas addition project, where the facility would be expanded by 27,000 gross square feet rather than the initial 43,000 gross square feet in order to stay within the original budget of $13 million that was estimated in July 2006.
Authorization to continue repairs on the exterior of McComas was also approved; the estimated cost to complete this project is $6 million.
The board also ordered Tech to complete the design and renovation of Ambler-Johnston hall, with a university supplement of $65 million.
The success of Tech's alcohol abuse prevention program was also acknowledged at the meeting -- 98 percent of the incoming freshman class has completed an online course pertaining to alcohol-related education. In addition, a committee is currently in the planning stages of a Pritchard Hall initiative to contribute to substance abuse prevention.
A recommendation that the Board of Visitors recognizes the department of computer science, the department of history, the school of architecture and design, the department of teaching and learning, and the CLAHS undergraduate research institute for their excellence in working with other departments to meet various goals was also approved.
Toward the conclusion of the meeting, board members acknowledged that the year has been one of high pressure since last April 16. This prompted a standing round of applause for President Charles Steger.
Following the meeting, board members continued with a closed session where faculty status (Emeritus, salaries, personnel changes), current litigation status, special awards, and the acquiring control of real property were scheduled for discussion.
The next full Board of Visitors meeting will be held on March 22 and March 23, 2009.
Leave a comment 1 Comment Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
Wow good to see VT is still pushing forward with all of the construction (debt)....seeing how employees at VT and all across the state of VA will not see the 2% raise we were promised until next fiscal year.....with AEP increases approved 24% that leaves us 26% in the hole. :(
Reply to this Top