BOV Meeting Discusses Future

By COLLEEN HUBER

The University of Mary Washington’s Board of Visitors met on Aug. 29 to discuss the committee agenda and assignments for the upcoming year and to examine the Regional Engagement and Economic Development Plan.

President Rick Hurley said the Plan would help UMW to support economic growth in the surrounding areas and businesses.

The plan will help the economic development of Fredericksburg, Stafford, King George, Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, according to Hurley.

“We can have an impact on the region,” said Hurley. “We will be the lead agency—effort.”

Joe Wilson, a member of the BOV, had some issues with the plan, but believes that this plan is a step in the right direction.

“This is a tool to help us improve our region; it is an aid to existing businesses,” said Wilson.

Hurley discussed how the plan will help to promote the university.

“It will make us attractive to prospective students,” said Hurley.

Holly Cuellar, the vice rector of the BOV, who was listening in on the meeting from Coronado, California, questioned the feedback the plan is receiving from the faculty.

Hurley informed the Board that the plan is very well received by UMW’s faculty.

“The faculty have embraced the idea to ‘get out into the real world’,” said Hurley.

After reviewing the plan, the BOV then moved on to discuss the committee assignments for the 2012-2013 year.

Judge Pamela White, the rector of the BOV, discussed the September agenda which included the hotel ground breaking and the ribbon cutting at the new Mason and Randolph buildings.

Daniel Steen, a member of the BOV, brought up the concept of parent orientation. The idea is to blend it into student orientation, and to possibly implement it in 2013.

Martin Wilder, chief of staff, informed the BOV that orientation for 2013 is being totally reworked by a committee led by Douglas Searcy, vice resident of student affairs, and that there will be an active parent component.

The BOV also discussed the entering freshman class. Hurley informed the members that the rising freshman class mirrors last year’s with around 978 new students. However, this year’s transfer students make one of the largest groups yet, with approximately 237 new transfer students.

The meeting came to a close with the rector’s remarks, the president’s remarks and a quick word about Eagle Gathering, a candle lit ceremony on Ball Circle during orientation for the entering freshman students.

The Gathering was used to officially welcome the students and instill UMW’s values within them, according to Hurley.