Several resolutions passed at Virginia Tech Board of Visitors spring meeting

Several resolutions were approved when the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors met at its spring board meeting March 28-29.

The Board adopted a plan to set the upper bound of tuition and fees for the 2004-05 academic year. The total cost to attend Virginia Tech for a Virginia undergraduate campus resident will be no more than $10,082, an $883 increase. Out of state campus residents will pay no more than $20,957, a $1,844 increase. The board was unable to establish specific tuition and fee levels because a state budget had not been approved at the time the meeting. By establishing an upper bound of tuition and fees, the university can develop financial aid packages for incoming students. Once the state budget is determined, the university will set specific tuition and fee levels. University officials hope to set final levels before the end of April.

A resolution to improve graduate assistant compensation was also approved. The commitment to enhance wages and medical benefits will help the university to be competitive in the recruitment and retention of high ability graduate students. Specific funding allocations will be determined once the state budget is passed.

The board also approved a series of resolutions to authorize the university to finance the expansion of Lane Stadium and several General Revenue Pledge, Dormitory and Dining Hall and University Services capital projects.

The Board also approved a resolution to authorize the Graduate School to award graduate certificates for the completion of approved advanced education programs. Graduate certificates will now be included on university transcripts and a certificate will be awarded in recognition of completion of graduate certificate requirements.

Revisions to the consulting policy for faculty members in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) were approved. Policy revisions can be made permanent in two years provided the consulting practices do not create inappropriate competition for the teaching hospital and/or equine medical center.

The board also approved a motion to endorse the conversion of WPI (formerly the Waste Policy Institute) to a for-profit corporation. The change in status will help the corporation, which provides environmental policy services to the government and private sector, to be more competitive in today's marketplace.

Three faculty members were awarded endowed professorships. Glenn Kraige, professor of engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering, was named to the W.S. "Pete" White Chair for Innovation in Engineering Education; Gregory C. Troy, professor and head of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department in the VMRCVM, was named the Dr. and Mrs. Dorsey Taylor Mahin Professor; and Martin Furr, associate professor of medicine in the VMRCVM, was named the Adelaide C. Riggs Chair in Equine Medicine.

Melinda Cep of Cordova, Md., a senior majoring in animal and poultry sciences and biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Marcus Ly of Waltham, Mass., a second year graduate student in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the College of Engineering, were selected to be the student representatives to the Board of Visitors during the 2004-05 year.

Ten university professors were honored with emeritus or emerita status.

The next Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting will be June 6-7.