Office of the President: Board of Visitors Records, 1908-2001 *JMU Records*
Descriptive Summary
Repository: Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
Title: Office of the President: Board of Visitors Records, 1908-2001
Collection No.: UA 0010
Creator: Office of the President. Board of Visitors
Extent: 18 hollinger boxes, 2 half-hollinger boxes, 1 oversize hollinger box; 6.94 cubic feet
Language: English
Abstract: The Office of the President: Board of Visitors Records, 1908-2001, document the activities of the James Madison University Board of Visitors and its predecessor, the Board of Trustees. Materials include meeting minutes, correspondence, financial documents, and president's reports.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions: Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions: Copyright for Official University records is held by James Madison University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Preferred Citation: [identification of item], [box #, folder #], Office of the President: Board of Visitors, 1908-2001, UA 0010, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Acquisition Information: This collection was formed from the merger of several groups of materials received
from Fred Hilton in JMU Media Relations (accessions 93-0107, 93-0210), Gail May in
the President's Office (accessions 99-1122, 00-0215), and Machelle Rader in the President's
Office (2005-0519). These accessions were combined under the collection number PR
99-1122.
Alternate Formats: Beginning with the March 26, 1999 meeting, JMU Board of Visitors meeting minutes are
available online at: https://www.jmu.edu/visitors/meetings/minutes/index.shtml. Selected
material from this collection has also been digitized and made available at: http://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/foundingdocs/.
Processing Information: The collection was reprocessed in 2016 and contains all documents from the original
accession (PR 99-1122) except for the Faculty Minutes, 1908-1998, which were removed
to form a separate collection (UA 0011). A copy of the original finding aid is located
in the collection control file. Old collection folders were reused during reprocessing
and folder titles were retained when possible. Inserts found in the Board of Trustees
Minute Book were removed and foldered separately. The inserts were subsequently photocopied
and those copies are also foldered separately. The Board of Visitors meeting minutes
and President's Reports were originally bound, but were disbound in 2016 during reprocessing.
Bio/Historical Note:
James Madison University's Board of Visitors was created in 1964 with the prime directive of overseeing the effective government of the university, then Madison College. When the institution opened in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the governing body was its own Board of Trustees. The school changed its name to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg in 1914 and governance was shifted to the Virginia Normal School Board, a state agency. The institution was renamed once again in 1924 to the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. The governance also experienced change as control was transferred to the State Board of Education. In 1964, the final change occurred when the Virginia General Assembly established independent boards of visitors for each of the state's former teacher colleges.
The Governor of Virginia holds the power of appointing each member of the Board of Visitors. The first Board of Visitors was comprised of 11 members; its first rector was Burr P. Harrison. The Virginia General Assembly acted to have the board size increased to 15 members in 1989. Of the selected members, no more than two can be non-Virginians and board members include both JMU alumni and non-alumni. In addition to appointed members, a student representative and the speaker of the JMU Faculty Senate serve on the board. Terms of service do apply as board members are not eligible to serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. Officers of the board (rector, vice rector, and secretary) are elected annually by the board for one-year terms.
Scope and Content:
The Office of the President: Board of Visitors Records, 1908-2001, document the activities of the James Madison University Board of Visitors and its predecessor, the Board of Trustees. The collection is comprised primarily of meeting minutes and correspondence. Minutes from the Board of Visitors' first meeting on July 16, 1964 are included. Researchers should note that meeting minutes from the various iterations of university governing bodies between 1914 and 1963 are not included. The correspondence is chiefly official memoranda, letters concerning business and new board members, and contractual agreements granting faculty members temporary leaves of absence. The collection also includes annual reports and reports to the Board of Visitors, financial materials documenting lease agreements involving James Madison University, athletic program expenditure statements, and audit reports. Miscellaneous items include documents explaining the origins of buildings' names, a Board of Visitors manual, and a document of Board of Visitors Resolutions.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into five series:
Series 1: Meeting Minutes, 1908-2001 Series 2: Correspondence, 1964-1995 Series 3:
Miscellaneous, 1981-1994 Series 4: President's Reports, 1909-1967 Series 5: Financial
Documents, 1922-1989
Subseries 5.1: Leases/Legal Documents, 1922-1981
Subseries 5.2: Budget Reports, 1961-1989 All series are arranged chronologically with
the exception of subseries 5.1 which is arranged alphabetically and subseries 5.2
which is arranged topically.
Bibliography:
"Board of Visitors" James Madison University Centennial Celebration. Accessed January
26, 2017. http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/wm_preview/rectors.shtml.
James Madison University - Board of Visitors. Accessed January 26, 2017. https://www.jmu.edu/visitors/about/index.shtml.
Contents:
Series 1: Meeting Minutes, 1908-2001
This series is comprised chiefly of Board of Visitors meeting minutes from 1964 to 2001 beginning with the first meeting on July 16, 1964. During that first meeting the members decided on the official design for "The Visitors of Madison College," agreed upon making the meetings of the Visitors closed to the public, approved of the revised faculty salary, and approved the continuation of degrees being offered to students. Also included is the original Board of Trustees minute book dating from 1908 to 1914. A full transcript is also contained within this series.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Board of Trustees Minute Book, 1908-1914 |
1:1
|
| Board of Trustees Minute Book – Inserts, 1908-1914 |
1:2
|
| Board of Trustees Minute Book – Inserts (Copies), 1908-1914 |
1:3
|
| Board of Trustees Minute Book – Transcript, 1908-1914 |
2:1
|
| Minutes, July 1964-November 1965 |
2:2
|
| Minutes, January 1966-August 1967 |
2:3
|
| Minutes, November 1967-March 1968 |
2:4
|
| Minutes, April 1968-September 1968 |
2:5
|
| Minutes, January 1969-May 1969 |
2:6
|
| Minutes, August 1969-September 1969 |
2:7
|
| Minutes, November 1969-August 1970 |
3:1
|
| Minutes, October 1970-November 1970 |
3:2
|
| Minutes, February 1971-April 1972 |
3:3
|
| Minutes, May 1972-November 1972 |
3:4
|
| Minutes, January 1973-June 1974 |
3:5
|
| Minutes, August 1974-October 1976 |
3:6
|
| Minutes, January 1977-September 1978 |
3:7
|
| Minutes, October 1978-January 1980 |
4:1
|
| Minutes, March 1980-May 1981 |
4:2
|
| Minutes, July 1981-October 1983 |
4:3
|
| Minutes, January 1984-April 1985 |
4:4
|
| Minutes, July 1985-April 1986 |
4:5
|
| Minutes, July 1986-May 1987 |
4:6
|
| Minutes, July 1987-April 1988 |
4:7
|
| Minutes, August 1988-December 1988 |
5:1
|
| Minutes, February 1989-June 1989 |
5:2
|
| Minutes, July 1989-December 1989 |
5:3
|
| Minutes, March 1990-July 1990 |
5:4
|
| Minutes, August 1990-December 1990 |
5:5
|
| Minutes, February 1991-April 1991 |
5:6
|
| Minutes, June 1991-October 1991 |
5:7
|
| Minutes, January 1992-April 1992 |
6:1
|
| Minutes, May 1992-July 1992 |
6:2
|
| Minutes, August 1992 |
6:3
|
| Minutes, October 1992-December 1992 |
6:4
|
| Minutes, May 1993 |
6:5
|
| Minutes, June 1993-August 1993 |
6:6
|
| Minutes, December 1993 |
6:7
|
| Minutes, March 1994 |
7:1
|
| Minutes, May 1994-June 1994 |
7:2
|
| Minutes, August 1994 |
7:3
|
| Minutes, December 1994 |
7:4
|
| Minutes, February 1995-April 1995 |
7:5
|
| Minutes, May 1995-July 1995 |
7:6
|
| Minutes, December 1995 |
7:7
|
| Minutes, February 1996-April 1996 |
7:8
|
| Minutes, June 1996-September 1996 |
8:1
|
| Minutes, October 1996 |
8:2
|
| Minutes, January 1997-March 1997 |
8:3
|
| Minutes, April 1997-June 1997 |
8:4
|
| Minutes, October 1997-February 1998 |
8:5
|
| Minutes, March 1998-September 1998 |
8:6
|
| Minutes, October 1998 |
8:7
|
| Minutes, January 1999 |
9:1
|
| Minutes, March 1999 |
9:2
|
| Minutes, March 1999-May 1999 |
9:3
|
| Minutes, June 1999 |
9:4
|
| Minutes, September 1999 |
9:5
|
| Minutes, October 1999 |
9:6
|
| Minutes, October 1999-January 2000 |
10:1
|
| Minutes, March 2000-June 2000 |
10:2
|
| Minutes, June 2000-September 2000 |
10:3
|
| Minutes, September 2000-January 2001 |
10:4
|
| Minutes, January 2001-March 2001 |
10:5
|
| Minutes, March 2001-June 2001 |
11:1
|
| Minutes, June 2001 |
11:2
|
| Minutes, June 2001-October 2001 |
11:3
|
| Minutes, October 2001 |
11:4
|
Series 2: Correspondence, 1964-1995
This series contains correspondence between fellow board members, government officials, and members of the university administration. Contract agreements between board members and faculty of the college are included. Topics of interest include but are not limited to campus construction and related funding, appropriation increases, project requests, requests related to enrollment increases, G. Tyler Miller's retirement, and faculty promotions.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Correspondence, 1964-1967 |
12:1
|
| Correspondence, 1968-1969 |
12:2
|
| Correspondence, 1970-1971 |
12:3
|
| Correspondence, 1972 |
12:4
|
| Correspondence, 1973-1974 |
12:5
|
| Correspondence, 1975-1977 |
12:6
|
| Correspondence, 1978-1983 |
13:1
|
| Correspondence, 1984 |
13:2
|
| Correspondence, 1985-1987 (Folder 1 of 2) |
13:3
|
| Correspondence, 1985-1987 (Folder 2 of 2) |
13:4
|
| Correspondence, 1988 |
13:5
|
| Correspondence, 1989-1990 |
13:6
|
| Correspondence, 1991 (Folder 1 of 2) |
13:7
|
| Correspondence, 1991 (Folder 2 of 2) |
13:8
|
| Correspondence, 1992-1993 |
14:1
|
| Correspondence, 1994 |
14:2
|
| Correspondence, January 1995-March 1995 |
14:3
|
| Correspondence, April 1995-June 1995 |
14:4
|
Series 3: Miscellaneous, 1981-1994
This series contains documents about the naming of buildings on campus as well as information on resolutions, manuals, honorary degrees and the Russell Weaver Society.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Naming of Buildings, 1957-1976 |
14:5
|
| Board of Visitors Manuals, 1981-1991 |
14:6
|
| Honorary Degrees, 1983-1990 |
14:7
|
| Student Board Members, 1984-1985 |
14:8
|
| Russell M. Weaver Society, 1986-1988 |
14:9
|
| Board of Visitors Resolutions, 1993-1994 |
14:10
|
Series 4: President's Reports, 1909-1967
The reports contain data regarding enrollment, campus services, faculty salaries, and financial records. Also included are recommendations from the president on approvals of resignations and appointments, budget increases, academic changes, campus expansion, etc. These reports provide an overview of the administrative proceedings of the university from one year to the next and are comprised of reports to the State Board of Education, reports to the Board of Visitors, annual reports, and special reports.
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Reports, 1909-1926 |
15:1
|
| Reports, April 1927-July 1934 |
15:2
|
| Reports, October 1934-May 1938 |
15:3
|
| Reports, July 1938-May 1941 |
15:4
|
| Reports, July 1941-April 1943 |
15:5
|
| Reports, June 1943-January 1945 |
16:1
|
| Reports, March 1945-August 1949 |
16:2
|
| Reports, September 1949-June 1951 |
16:3
|
| Reports, August 1951-May 1956 (Folder 1 of 2) |
16:4
|
| Reports, August 1951-May 1956 (Folder 2 of 2) |
16:5
|
| Reports, 1956-1957 |
17:1
|
| Reports, 1958-1959 |
17:2
|
| Reports, 1960 |
17:3
|
| Reports, 1961 |
17:4
|
| Reports, 1962 |
17:5
|
| Reports, July 1964-June 1965 |
17:6
|
| Reports, August 1965-May 1966 |
18:1
|
| Reports, August 1966-November 1966 |
18:2
|
| Reports, February 1967-August 1967 |
18:3
|
| Reports, 1970-1971 |
18:4
|
Series 5: Financial Documents, 1922-1989
| Folder Title |
Box : Folder
|
| Subseries: Leases/Legal Documents, 1922-1981 | |
| Andrews, Arthur M., 1975 |
19:1
|
| Baker House, 1966 |
19:2
|
| Blue Ridge Gas Co., 1966 |
19:3
|
| Colonial Drive Apartments, 1973 |
19:4
|
| Dingledine Property, 1940-1943 |
19:5
|
| Lincoln House/951 S. Main Street, 1940-1975 |
19:6
|
| Master's Property, 1980 |
19:7
|
| Nicholas House, 1957, 1980 |
19:8
|
| Old Agrico Building, 1961, 1973 |
19:9
|
| Old Nurse's Home, 1963-1966 |
19:10
|
| Shenandoah Apartments, 1922-1939 |
19:11
|
| SPE House, 1976-1980 |
19:12
|
| Sprinkle House, 1917, 1933-1934, 1942-1944, 1966 |
19:13
|
| Steele Property/131 Warsaw St., 1964-1966 |
19:14
|
| Virginia National Bank, 1981 |
19:15
|
| Walnut Lane, 1973-1974 |
19:16
|
| Wellington Apartments, 1924, 1929, 1957, 1965-1969 |
19:17
|
| Wolff, Mr. & Mrs. Frank A., 1978 |
19:18
|
| Wright Estate, 1963-1966, 1980 |
19:19
|
| Schedule of Buildings, Fire Insurance Report, 1924, 1932, undated |
19:20
|
| Subseries: Budget Reports, 1961-1989 | |
| Annual Reports, 1961-1963 |
20:1
|
| Annual Reports, 1964-1966 |
20:2
|
| Annual Reports, 1967-1968 |
20:3
|
| Annual Reports, 1970-1982 |
20:4
|
| Reports on Audits, 1969, 1972, 1978 |
20:5
|
| Reports on Audits, 1979, 1980, 1986 |
21:1
|
| Reports on Audits, 1987, 1989 |
21:2
|
| Athletic Program Expenses, 1963-1969 |
21:3
|
Compiled by: Compiled by: Chris Bolgiano and Kim Johnson, February 2000 Updated by: Julia Merkel, October 2005 Revised by: Emily Rehault, July 2015; Brianna Melchione, February 2016; Tiffany Cole, January 2017