Minutes of the VMI Board of Visitors. February 8, 1997

              VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
Lexington, Virginia
Minutes
BOARD OF VISITORS MEETING
8 February 1997
A meeting of the VMI Board of Visitors was held at the Virginia Military Institute at 8:30 A.M. on Saturday, 8 February 1997, pursuant to notice.
Present: William W. Berry '54, President
Anita K. Blair, Esq.
Robert C. Bobb
Dr. Mac A. Bowman '73
Rhett Clarkson '61
Robert B. Crotty, Esq.'73
Charles B. Lindsey '71
Dr. Edward A. Miller, Jr. '50A
James C. Roberts, Esq.
Samuel B. Witt, III, Esq. '58
Anne C. Woodfin
Absent: Michael C. Brooks '59
Bruce C. Gottwald '54
W. Thomas Hudson '69
Thomas M. Moncure, Jr. '73 (resigned)
Thomas A. Saunders, III '58
MG Carroll Thackston '55
Others Present:
MG Josiah Bunting, III '63, Superintendent
Col. Alan F. Farrell, Dean of the Faculty (Acting)
Col. Vernon L. Beitzel '72, Director of Admissions
Col. N. Michael Bissell '61, Special Assistant
to the Superintendent
C. Tabor Cronk, Esq. '62, Assistant Attorney General
Col. Edwin L. Dooley, Jr., Secretary to the Board
Col. Keith D. Dickson '76, Commandant of Cadets
Stephen C. Fogleman, Esq. '71, President, VMI
Alumni Association
Col. Leroy D. Hammond '57, Headquarters Executive
Mr. Tim Hickman, filmmaker
William Hurd, Esq., Deputy Attorney General
LTC Gary R. Knick, Treasurer & Assoc. Business Exec.
LTC Paul B. Maini '66, Exec. VP, VMI Alumni Assoc.
C. Douglas Marechal '62, BOV Representative
to the VMI Athletic Council
George H. Roberts, Jr., Esq.'68, Exec. VP, VMI Found.
Col. John L. Rowe, Jr. '66, Business Executive Col. William J. Stockwell, Assoc. Dean of the Faculty
Col. Michael M. Strickler '71, Dir., Public Relations
Mr. John A. Walters '66, Vice. Pres., VMI Foundation
Members of the press
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1. Mr. Berry presided and Colonel Dooley recorded the minutes of the meeting.
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2. A motion was made by Mr. Clarkson, seconded by Mr. Bobb, to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Visitors held on 7 December 1996. The motion passed.
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3. Mr. Berry welcomed Mr. Fogleman, President of the VMI Alumni Association. Mr. Fogleman reported that the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association met in Lexington on 12 January.
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4. Mr. Berry invited Mr. Marechal, Board of Visitors representative to the VMI Athletic Council, to present his report out of the normal sequence of committee reports so that he might attend a concurrent meeting of the Keydet Club Board of Governors, of which he is a member.
(a) Mr. Marechal reported on a meeting of the NCAA, held in January, which focused two major issues: restructuring and jobs for student athletes. He said that the new governing structure for Division I sports, adopted by the NCAA, emphasizes the role of the college presidents, who will now sit as a controlling Board of Directors. He said that faculty representatives and athletic directors, sitting as a Management Board, will report to the new presidential Board of Directors. In addition, he said there will be increased emphasis on representation of women and minorities in the governing structure.
He also reported that the NCAA passed a motion to allowing student athletes on scholarship to maintain a job during the school year.
(b) Mr. Marechal said that the VMI Athletic Council is pleased with the formation of a Student Athletic Advisory Committee at VMI, as mandated by the NCAA. The Regimental S-6 (the Regimental Athletic Officer), Cadet Jeremy S. King '97, serves on that committee.
(c) Mr. Marechal gave a brief update on winter sports.
(d) He expressed confidence in VMI's new football coach, Mr. Ted Cain.
------------------------------------------------------------- 5. General Bunting presented the Superintendent's remarks.
(a) Gen. Bunting began his remarks with several brief announcements and comments:
(1) He noted that VMI has 110 Eagle Scouts out of an enrollment of just under 1,200 cadets.
(2) He announced that Lt. Joseph J. Dubose '96, last year's First Captain who has been working this year in the Admissions Office at VMI, was accepted this week to the University of Virginia Medical School.
(3) He thanked Col. Rowe and Mr. James Roberts for their work with the General Assembly.
(4) He reminded the Board of a Reception in honor of the members of the Virginia General Assembly which friends and supporters of VMI will sponsor on Monday, 17 February, in Richmond.
(5) He reported that Governor Allen and members of his staff continue to be steadfast friends of VMI. In addition, he said that he has been struck, in his visits to the General Assembly, by the bipartisan character of the support that VMI enjoys.
(b) He then turned to various activities associated with the coming of women to VMI.
He said, "The activities that are undertaken in behalf of doing that properly currently occupy, I would say, about half of our time at VMI, including innumerable long sessions with members of the press, with journalists, and most importantly with members of the Corps and faculty, who -- after all -- will be charged with doing this and doing this properly next year.
"We are in the very early preparatory stages, on both sides of Letcher Avenue, for a major campaign. The public kick-off is probably at least two years away, but we are now -- as most of you know -- looking very hard at the sinews and muscles that we must assemble to make our case before our alumni and public. An investigation and a study of the needs of the school: this work is going forward under the direction of Col. William Stockwell, Associate Dean of the Faculty. We are beginning now to consult with as many people as possible on the whole question of the principle aim of the campaign, something that is sometimes referred to as "the vision." We're looking at the early preparation of a strategic plan. And, finally, the preparation of the "case statement." I think you will hear more and more about this as we go along. The conventional wisdom is, If they are so rich, why do they want more money? Well, we are not rich, and nobody in this business, in this day in age, is rich. If they think they are, they're kidding themselves.
"Finally, I spent a good deal of time in the last two or three months working with and on admissions and alumni projects. As you know, the VMI alumni family extends all over the country, and we continue to visit, under the auspices of Steve Fogleman, many of those groups, to get out the story of what we are about here. The alumni have been enormously supportive and hospitable to our efforts, and I think everybody saw the wonderful editorial written by our friend Ross MacKenzie relative to alumni annual giving in this very difficult year for VMI, which, in spite of our projection that we would have a decline, has actually risen.
"The Admissions results, you'll hear a little bit more about them this morning. I think they are extremely heartening and gratifying. And among other things, they represent a trend which I believe will continue, particularly as VMI recruits not only in Virginia but in the deep South and out west in California.
"Col. Mike Bissell is going to talk to us ..., but I would like to say a few things about this large enterprise of admitting women that is ahead of us. I've spent a lot of time in the last couple of months -- and so have other members of the staff -- working specifically and particularly with the VMI Class of 1998, the Second Class. They are the most important players in what will happen starting next August. This is a big class: it's about a hundred larger than the current First Class.... It's an extraordinarily unified class with very good leadership. This is the class that has Kevin Trujillo [president of the Second Class] in it. Kevin is a remarkable young man with a real sense of purpose and great maturity beyond his years. "We have before us, and everyone is aware of it, the cautionary example of events at The Citadel, our friendly rival. Whether what is alleged to have happened at The Citadel actually happened is not the point, the point is that there's a feeding frenzy on the part of the national media when something like that does happen, and it is something we cannot afford next year.
"We are hard at work, as you will hear later, on our exchange and transfer program. I think most of you know that we are working with Texas A&M, Norwich University, and the New Mexico Military Institute to arrange to bring in next year six or eight young women, Second Class women (juniors) who would be coming from these colleges in exchange for VMI cadets who would spend a term in those places.
"We're working hard, as you will hear from Col. John Rowe, on the necessary physical changes, almost all of that work is going ahead now well under budget.
"The topic of hazing that I alluded to a moment ago is very much in the air -- it is in the culture nationally. You can hardly pick up a paper without reading of some horror being alleged to have happened in the Army, or recently in the Marine Corps, or at The Citadel.
"I continue, personally, a close relationship with Barracks. I think it's important for all of us to understand at this point that having the Dean in Barracks and teaching, having the Commandant working closely with cadets and teaching, having the Superintendent involved day to day in the lives of these cadets is awfully important at any time, but particularly in the crucial year that we have ahead of us."
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6. The Board then viewed a 12-minute video that will be mailed to alumni as a report on VMI's preparation for the assimilation of female cadets. The video is being produced by Mr. Tim Hickman, filmmaker, and Mr. John Walters '66, of the VMI Foundation.
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7. The Board then heard a report on planning for assimilation from Colonel Mike Bissell, Special Assistant to the Superintendent. Colonel Bissell's report is attached to these minutes as Appendix I.
In the brief question and answer session that followed Col. Bissell's report, Mr. Witt asked the administration to insure that Fourth Classmen, at the conclusion of the Rat Line, be included in the planning process for assimilation, and, responding to a question from Mr. Crotty, Col. Bissell assured the Board that each member is on the distribution list to receive periodic status reports on assimilation.
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8. Mr. Bobb, chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on a meeting of his committee held on Thursday.
(a) He brought one item for action by the Board: a modification in the Institute's Mission Statement. He presented background on the motion, pointing out that the Institute's Mission Statement requires modification to reflect the assimilation of women into the Corps. Mr. Bobb then read the modified Mission Statement. (The proposed changes, in the form of the insertion of the words "and women," are underlined in the text below.)
MISSION OF THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
The Virginia Military Institute believes that the measure of a college lies in the quality and performance of its graduates and their contributions to society.
Therefore, it is the mission of the Virginia Military Institute to produce educated, honorable men and women, prepared for the varied work of civil life, imbued with love of learning, confident in the functions and attitudes of leadership, possessing a high sense of public service, advocates of the American Democracy and free enterprise system, and ready as citizen-soldiers to defend their country in time of national peril.
To accomplish this result, the Virginia Military Institute shall provide to qualified young men and women undergraduate education of highest quality -- embracing engineering, science, and the arts -- conducted in, and facilitated by, the unique VMI system of military discipline.
Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Bobb, seconded by Mr. Witt, the Board adopted the amended Mission Statement of the Virginia Military Institute. Mr. Berry informed the Board that the modified mission statement will be submitted to the State Council for Higher Education (SCHEV) for its required approval.
(b) Mr. Bobb stated that his committee wished to insure that several critical areas of the Institute's academic programs that are in need of funding, including information services and library services, are included in the 1997-1998 budget. To that end, he asked that his committee -- and other committees -- be given an opportunity to participate in drafting the Institute's budget before it is distributed to the Board for final action at the May meeting. Mr. Berry agreed, saying that committees should meet for this purpose before 16 April with the Institute's budget officers, the date on which the final draft budget will be mailed to the Board for action in May. Mr. James Roberts, acting chairman of the Audit, Finance, and Planning Committee, added that the his committee also plans to review the draft budget before it is sent to the Board for action.
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9. Mr. Crotty, chairman of the Committee on Appeals, reported that his committee had no appeals to consider at this meeting. He announced that Colonel Donald K. Jamison '57 had retired as the Superintendent's Representative to the Honor Court and was replaced by LTC Thomas S. Baur '75, who had been serving as his assistant. Colonel Edwin A. Sexton was appointed to assist LTC Baur.
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10. In the absence of Mr. Gottwald, chairman of the Audit, Finance, and Planning Committee, Mr. James Roberts reported for the committee.
(a) Mr. Roberts stated that the committee did not hold a formal session during the present meeting of the Board because of the absence of most members. Instead, he said that members in attendance met informally with Colonel Rowe.
(b) Mr. Roberts emphasized the success that VMI has had in the present Session of the General Assembly, saying that the Institute received the financial support it requested and separation of the Unique Military Activities (UMA) appropriation for VPI&SU and the VWIL program from VMI's UMA appropriation. He explained that the three UMA appropriations were combined when the Virginia Corps of Cadets was created.
(c) Mr. Roberts complimented General Bunting and Colonel Rowe for the effective work they have done with the money committees in the General Assembly.
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11. Mr. Witt reported for the Legislative Affairs Committee.
(a) He stated that VMI enjoys good will in Richmond, for which he gave much credit to the work of General Bunting, Board members Clarkson, Roberts, and Hudson, Colonel Rowe, and others.
(b) Mr. Witt said that VMI's $5.1 million request was faring well in the General Assembly, and VMI now has its own UMA provision, separate from the VPI&SU and VWIL appropriations.
(c) Mr. Roberts added two items: (1) He informed the Board of Senator Warren R. Barry's complimentary remarks about VMI in the Senate, and (2) He invited members of the Board to attend a VMI breakfast with the Legislative Black Caucus on 18 February.
(d) General Bunting informed the Board that the State Council of Higher Education Board will meet at VMI in April. He complimented especially Dr. Gordon Davies, Executive Director of SCHEV, with whom he recently met and who informed him of an increase in faculty salaries to be effected in December.
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9. In the absence of Mr. Hudson, chairman of the Cadet Affairs Committee, Mr. Clarkson reported on a meeting of his committee held Thursday.
(a) Mr. Clarkson reviewed several items reported to the committee by Col. Dickson, Commandant of Cadets. Included was an explanation of a change in the nightly status check, which has been redesigned. Mr. Clarkson says that the Corps is happy with the new system.
(b) He reported a significant improvement in the morale of the Corps and in its relation with the Commandant. He said that many changes are being made in the Barracks, and that the changes are very positive.
(c) Mr. Clarkson said that the Commandant is revising the way appointments to rank and promotions are made, so that all cadets who desire to hold leadership positions may apply for them. He said that the new system insures that leadership positions will not be limited to cadets enrolled in ROTC. He asked the administration for a report on the percentage of Corps leaders who are enrolled in ROTC and those who are not.
(d) Mr. Clarkson reviewed a report made to the committee by Colonel James N. Joyner '67, Director of Cadet Affairs, on the finances of several cadet activities and on renovations in Lejeune Hall. He said that the finances of the Cadet newspaper and the Bomb have improved greatly over the past four years.
(e) Mr. Clarkson reviewed a report made to the committee by Mr. Jeffrey J. Morgan '80, Executive Vice President of the Keydet Club, on the status of the "B-2" athletic financing plan, which was instituted in 1994 and will come to an end in 1998. He said that although the Keydet Club endowment is projected to reach $8 million, the Development Board may still have to supply some funding to the program after the end of the "B-2 Plan." He said that support for scholarships appears adequate; however, there is a need for additional funding in the area of athletic operations.
(f) Mr. Clarkson reviewed a report made to the committee by LTC Thomas S. Baur '75, Superintendent's Representative to the Honor Court, on the work of the Honor Court this year. He said that cadets will submit a recommendation soon to the Superintendent on improvement of security measures in Barracks.
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10. In the absence of General Thackston, chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, Dr. Miller reported on a meeting of the committee held Thursday.
(a) Dr. Miller informed the Board that General Thackston was called away on military duty during the course of the committee's meeting.
(b) He said that the committee received a report from Col. Dickson, Commandant of Cadets.
(c) He said that the committee received a report on the VWIL program at Mary Baldwin College from Col. Bissell. At this point in the General Assembly Session, Dr. Miller said, it is uncertain if the Commonwealth will continue to support the VWIL program.
(d) Dr. Miller reported that the Department of the Army is preparing to change its policy that guarantees graduates of senior military colleges assignment to active duty upon being commissioned. He said that the military colleges are asking the Department of the Army, through the good offices of Senator John Warner, to reconsider changing the policy.
(e) He reminded the Board of a continuing need at VMI to provide room and board support for ROTC scholarship cadets. He said that the scholarships do not, by law, cover room and board expenses, and that other senior military colleges provide this support as a supplement to ROTC scholarships as a recruiting incentive. He said that the three professors of military science at VMI have asked the Institute to assign highest priority to this area of funding.
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12. Ms. Blair, chairman of the Special Programs and Public Relations Committee, reported on a meeting of his committee held Thursday.
(a) Ms. Blair said that she received a recruiting and admissions report from Colonel Beitzel.
(b) She said that she received a report from Colonel Strickler on the activities of the Public Relations Coeducation Committee. The committee is thinking about preparations necessary to provide materials and assistance to the media in August and thereafter.
(c) Ms. Blair stated that the Public Relations Office will need at least one additional staff member next year, and the committee will recommend the inclusion of the position in next year's budget. Also, several cadets will be trained in August to assist the office during the academic year.
(d) She reminded Board members of the Legislative Reception to be held in Richmond on 17 February.
(e) She said that she reviewed a video tape of the New Market Ceremony that will be made available to alumni organizations and schools.
(f) Ms. Blair, who also serves as Chairman of the New Market Medal Award Committee, reported that her committee received the nomination of Jonathan M. Daniels '61 to receive the New Market Award posthumously. She reminded the Board of its decision on 13 May 1996 that it would be willing to receive a recommendation for a posthumous award and waive the policy that the recipient be a living person. However, she stated that as her committee considered the nomination, it arrived at a consensus that the example of Jonathan Daniels is a very special opportunity for VMI to provide something in the nature of a continuing reminder for the Corps of Cadets. The committee decided that the example of Jonathan Daniels provides an opportunity for VMI to establish a new award, or a memorial, that would afford cadets a continuing reminder that it is possible to embody and display heroic qualities of honor and loyalty and devotion at any age and in any circumstances. Consequently, the committee recommended that the Board of Visitors consider establishing an award for that purpose. She added that the award could be named in honor of Jonathan Daniels and it could be given annually or from time to time. Ms. Blair said the committee believes that the award should be distinguished from other awards given by the Institute, and that it should be given in conjunction with an event such as Founders Day, New Market Day, or Finals at which the entire Corps is present.
Whereupon, Ms. Blair made a motion that the Board appoint a committee to develop criteria, procedures, and policy for such an award, and to report these to the Board for action. The motion passed.
Mr. Berry then appointed the New Market Award Committee to serve as the committee to develop the details of the Jonathan Daniels '61 award. Ms. Blair requested that the membership of the New Market Award Committee be augmented for the purpose of discussing the new award, and Mr. Berry agreed.
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13. Mr. George H. Roberts, Jr., Board of Visitors representative to the Investment Committee, reported on continuing increases in the total aggregate base of the Institute's endowment. He reported a 17.3 percent return on an endowment of $165 million, and he said that annual giving continues to be up through January. He also made reference to planning that has begun on the next major capital campaign and progress on planning for work on "Neikirk Hall," a project to rehabilitate the "Blair House" on Letcher Avenue to consolidate the operations of the Keydet Club, the VMI Foundation, and alumni agency accounting.
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14. Mr. Berry noted an unusual number of absences at the present meeting and asked for suggestions for making the February meeting more convenient for members to attend. He also commended the Board for its diligence over the past twelve months in attending an unusually large number of meetings, and he thanked them for their hard work.
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15. The Board recessed at 9:55 A.M.
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16. The Board reconvened at 10:15 A.M.
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17. At 10:17 A.M., a motion was made by Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Roberts, that the Board enter into executive session pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Paragraph 1, of the Code of Virginia, for the purpose of discussing employment, appointment, promotion, performance, and salaries of specific employees of the Virginia Military Institute; and pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Paragraph 7, for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation regarding the admission of women to VMI, the meeting to include the designated representatives of VMI's co-defendants and the Superintendent and his designated staff members. The motion passed.
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18. At 11:14 A.M., the President of the Board instructed the Secretary to let the record show that the Board reconvened in open session, pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Paragraph 1, of the Code of Virginia, having discussed employment, appointment, promotion, performance, and salaries of specific employees of the Virginia Military Institute; and pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Paragraph 7, having consulted with legal counsel pertaining to actual litigation regarding the admission of women to VMI, the meeting having included the designated representatives of VMI's co-defendants and the Superintendent and his designated staff members.
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19. On motion of Mr. Witt, seconded by Mr. Roberts, the Board unanimously passed the following resolution:
CERTIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE MEETING WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute has convened an executive meeting on 8 February 1997, pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute that such executive meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the executive meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute.
VOTE:
AYES: 11
NAYS: 0
Absent during the meeting and during the vote:
Mr. Brooks
Mr. Gottwald
Mr. Hudson
Mr. Saunders
MG Thackston
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20. A motion was made by Mr. Bobb, seconded by Dr. Bowman, that the Board approve faculty and staff changes as presented. The motion passed.
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21. There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 A.M.
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Edwin L. Dooley, Jr.
Secretary APPENDIX I
COL. N.M. BISSELL
BOV BRIEF
ASSIMILATION PLAN
8 FEBRUARY 1997
THE SUPERINTENDENT ASKED ME TO PROVIDE A SYNOPSIS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE PLANNING AND PROGRESS ON THE ASSIMILATION PLAN. IM DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO BRIEF YOU THIS MORNING.
BEFORE I TALK ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND STATUS ON THE ASSIMILATION PLAN, LET ME BRIEFLY TOUCH ON THE STATUS OF OUR EFFORTS IN THE RECRUITING OFFICE.
AS OF 8 FEBRUARY, THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED 753 APPLICANTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2001, OF WHICH 33 ARE FROM WOMEN. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 23.2% OVER THE APPLICATION RATE AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR. VMI HAS OFFERED APPOINTMENTS TO 500 APPLICANTS, INCLUDING 20 WOMEN. FIVE WOMEN HAVE MADE DEPOSITS AND BEGUN THE RESERVATION PROCESS.
THE ACADEMIC PROFILE OF THE WOMEN OFFERED ADMISSION IS WELL ABOVE AVERAGE. THE MEAN GPA IS 3.42 AND THEY HAVE AN AVERAGE SAT SCORE OF 1136. THIRTEEN OF THE 20 RANK IN THE TOP QUARTER OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS, 14 PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS AND ALL 20 HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
I WOULD BE AMISS TO NOT COMPLIMENT COL. VERN BEITZEL AND MAJ. TERRI REDDING FOR THE CREATIVE AND HARD WORK THEY HAVE DONE IN RECRUITING.
AS YOU KNOW IN JULY OF 1996 WE FORMED AN ORGANIZATION TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO ASSIMILATE WOMEN INTO THE VMI CORPS OF CADETS BY THE FALL OF 1997.
THE STRUCTURE INCLUDED AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND 8 SUB- COMMITTEES THAT WERE ORGANIZED TO COVER ALL THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS AND ORGANIZATIONS AT VMI. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY ME AND INCLUDES A VICE CHAIR, ALL 8 SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, DEAN OF ACADEMICS, 1ST. CLASS PRESIDENT, REGIMENTAL CAPTAIN, AND 2 CADETS-AT-LARGE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROVIDES DIRECTION, GUIDANCE AND PRIORITIES TO THE SUB COMMITTEES.THE 8 SUB-COMMITTEES ARE COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATION FROM THE ENTIRE VMI COMMUNITY TO INCLUDE, OF COURSE, BOV MEMBERS, FACULTY, STAFF, ALUMNI, CONSULTANTS AND CADETS. ALL IN ALL THERE ARE OVER 120 ACTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
THE COMMITTEES WE HAVE ARE ORIENTATION, RECRUITING, ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, FACILITIES, CO-CURRICULAR, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND A CADET COMMITTEE-AT-LARGE.
THE ORIENTATION COMMITTEE IS TASKED TO PROVIDE A PLAN FOR ORIENTING THE FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS AS WELL AS DEVELOPING A FOLLOW-ON TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WOULD CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THEIR 4 YEARS OF CADETSHIP.
THE RECRUITING COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMISSIONS POLICIES AND STANDARDS, RECRUITING, SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL COSTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ACADEMIC COURSES, COUNSELING, ADVISING, RATIO OF FACULTY MEMBERS, VMI REGULATIONS AND ALL BROAD POLICIES THAT WOULD ENCOMPASS THE INSTITUTE AS A WHOLE.
THE ATHLETIC COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NCAA SPORTS AND COACHING REQUIREMENTS, RESEARCHING NCAA REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS (EG. FIELDS, VANS) TO SUPPORT THE ASSIMILATION OF WOMEN INTO THE CORPS.
THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MODIFICATIONS TO, OR ADDITIONS TO, FACILITIES (BARRACKS, MESS HALL, ATHLETIC FACILITIES), AND CADET SUPPORT SERVICES (LAUNDRY, TAILOR, CLOTHING ISSUE AND DINING REQUIREMENTS.)
THE CO-CURRICULAR COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGIMENTAL CLASS AND HONOR SYSTEMS, BLUE BOOK, HAIR CUTS, BARRACKS AND UNIT INTEGRATION; INTRA MURALS, RAT CHALLENGE, AND POLICIES THAT PERTAIN TO THE CADET CORPS.
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.
LASTLY, THE CADET COMMITTEE-AT-LARGE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CORPS ISSUES FOR THE SUB-COMMITTEES AND COMMUNICATIONS TO AND FROM THE CORPS OF CADETS. THIS IS CLEARLY ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT COMMITTEES AND IS COMPOSED OF APPROXIMATELY 18 CADETS FROM ALL THE CLASSES. THE COMMITTEE PROCESS IS WORKING WELL. COMMITTEES MEET WEEKLY FOR SEVERAL HOURS TO METHODICALLY RESEARCH THEIR VARIOUS AREAS OF INTEREST.
THEY SUBMIT POLICIES TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHO STAFFS THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH OTHER COMMITTEES, THE CADET COMMITTEE-AT-LARGE AND OUR COUNSEL. ONCE POLICIES HAVE BEEN STAFFED THEY ARE SUBMITTED TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR HIS REVIEW, COMMENT AND /OR APPROVAL.
AT PRESENT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS APPROVED APPROXIMATELY 20 POLICIES. THOSE POLICIES APPROVED ARE WITH COUNSEL FOR THEIR FINAL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS. EIGHT ADDITIONAL POLICIES HAVE JUST BEEN SUBMITTED TO HIS OFFICE. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 26 POLICIES STILL BEING RESEARCHED AND DEVELOPED. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF POLICIES CONTINUE TO GROW AS WE CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A POLICY DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN A CHANGE, ONLY THAT WE HAVE REVIEWED A SPECIFIC AREA AND FOUND THAT A CHANGE IS OR IS NOT REQUIRED.
MANY VISITS WERE PLANNED TO OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO RESEARCH THEIR LESSONS LEARNED AND OBSERVE HOW THEIR SYSTEMS OPERATE. TO DATE: TEXAS A&M, NMMI, NORWICH, CULVER MILITARY ACADEMY, DAVIDSON, CITADEL, VPI AND THE ARMY FITNESS CENTER AT FT. BENNING, GA. HAVE BEEN VISITED.
THE REMAINING VISIT SITES INCLUDE USCGA, USMMA, QUANTICO, PARRIS ISLAND, AMHERST AND WILLIAMS COLLEGES. WE HOPE TO COMPLETE ALL THE VISITS BY THE 1ST WEEK IN MARCH.
TEAMS COMPOSED OF FACULTY/STAFF (4) AND CADETS (2) HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED TO VISIT EACH OF THESE LOCATIONS. THE VISITS HAVE BEEN BOTH VERY INFORMATIVE AND WORTHWHILE IN OUR PROCESS..
WE HAVE INVITED MANY CONSULTANTS OR GROUPS FROM OTHER COLLEGES TO VISIT VMI TO REVIEW OUR PLANS AND SEE FIRST HAND OUR PROGRESS AND THE DAILY ACTIVITIES AT VMI.
AT THIS POINT WE HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING VISITS: THE ASST. COMMANDANT PLUS 3 FEMALE CADETS FROM THE TEXAS A&M;, LAMAR DANIELS, A CONSULTANT ON TITLE IX FORMERLY FROM THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS; THE COMMANDANT PLUS, 3 FEMALE CADETS AND 1 MALE CADET FROM NORWICH; AND ELAINE DONNELLY, PRESIDENT OF THE CENTER FOR MILITARY READINESS. SCHEDULED FOR THE REMAINDER OF FEBRUARY AND EARLY MARCH ARE LTG WINFIELD SCOTT, SUPERINTENDENT OF USAFA & NMMI; DR. JOSEPH ELLIS, FORMER DEAN AND ACTING PRESIDENT OF MT. HOLYOKE COLLEGE AND THE COMMANDANT AND 3 FEMALE CADETS FROM NMMI.
AGAIN, THESE VISITS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL IN THE FORMATION OF OUR POLICIES. ON EVERY OCCASION THE VISITORS HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN, FRANK AND VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF OUR EFFORTS.
AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE STATE HAS COMMITTED $5.1 MILLION TO ASSIST IN THIS PROCESS. THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE NEW RECRUITING EFFORT, PUBLICATIONS THE HIRING OF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AND THE NECESSARY CONSTRUCTION AT THE INSTITUTE.
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BARRACKS (SHOWERS AND TOILETS EACH STOOP)
COMPLETE 1 AUGUST - ON SCHEDULE
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CORMACK FIELD HOUSE (SHOWERS/DRESSING ROOM)
COMPLETE 1 JULY - ON SCHEDULE
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SECURITY LIGHTING ON THE POST
COMPLETE 1 AUGUST - ON SCHEDULE
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COCKE HALL MODIFICATIONS (5 PHASES PRIORITIZED)
1) SEPARATION OF POOL ACCESS/ENTRANCE WAY - COMPLETE 1 APRIL
2) SHOWERS - COMPLETE 1 JUNE
3) DRESSING ROOMS - COMPLETE 1 AUG
4) COCKE HALL CORRIDORS - SPRING 1998
5) OFFICES AND CLASSROOMS - SPRING 1998
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HOSPITAL (EXAMINATION ROOMS)
COMPLETE
HIRING OF ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL
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SECRETARY FOR THE ASSIMILATION EFFORT - COMPLETE
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ASST COMMANDANT - ONGOING- RECRUITING NOW
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PE INSTRUCTOR - RECRUITING NOW
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ASST. DIR. OF CADET AFFAIRS - RECRUITING NOW
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COUNSELOR - ANNOUNCING NOW FOR NEXT FY
LET ME TALK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT OUR ORIENTATION PLANS FOR THE ENTIRE VMI COMMUNITY. ALL FACULTY, STAFF, CONTRACT PERSONNEL AND CADETS ARE PROGRAMMED FOR 5-6 HOURS OF ORIENTATION AND BRIEFINGS DURING THE PERIOD 1 MARCH TO 1 MAY 1997.
AN INITIAL CEREMONY WILL KICK OFF THE SESSIONS ON 11 MARCH. GEN. BUNTING, AND OTHER KEY INSTITUTE OFFICIALS AND CADET LEADERS WILL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SESSIONS AND THE SCHEDULED ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES.
THE INITIAL CEREMONY WILL BE IN CAMERON HALL. WE ANTICIPATE APPROXIMATELY 1600 ATTENDEES. A FOLLOW-ON INFORMATION BRIEFING WILL BE PROVIDED TO SMALLER GROUPS ON 25 MARCH, TWO WEEKS LATER. TRAINING SEMINARS AND DISCUSSIONS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR SMALL MIXED GROUPS OF FACULTY/STAFF AND CADETS (APPROXIMATELY 20-25 PERSONNEL) DURING THE PERIOD 8-10 APRIL. THE GROUPS WILL BE MODERATED BY PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS WITH EMPHASIS ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND FRATERNIZATION. APPROXIMATELY 60 2-HOUR SESSIONS WILL BE HELD DURING THAT 3 DAY PERIOD. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER A FOLLOW UP INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR EVERYONE. THERE IS A PLAN FOR A REPEAT OF THESE SESSIONS IN AUGUST FOR NEW CADETS AND UPPERCLASS CADETS WHO WERE NOT AT VMI THIS SEMESTER. THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE NEW FACULTY MEMBERS.
THE ORIENTATION COMMITTEE IS ALSO PLANNING FOR ONGOING TRAINING IN THESE AREAS TO BE CONDUCTED EACH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS. LESSONS LEARNED FROM ALL THE OTHER COLLEGES VISITED STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING UPPER CLASS FEMALE CADETS IN THE CORPS DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF ASSIMILATION UNTIL OUR FEMALE CADETS BECOME UPPERCLASSMEN. WE ARE INSTITUTING EXCHANGE PROGRAMS WITH 2 OTHER MILITARY COLLEGES TO ALLOW STUDENTS FROM THEIR COLLEGES TO ATTEND VMI EACH SEMESTER. THE PLAN CALLS FOR 6 VMI CADETS TO VISIT EACH OF THESE COLLEGES WHILE THEIR 6 CADETS VISIT VMI. WE HOPE TO HAVE A TOTAL OF 8 FEMALE CADETS AND 4 MALE CADETS VISIT ON EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FROM THESE COLLEGES AT ANY ONE TIME. THE VISITING CADETS WILL NOT HOLD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE CORPS AND WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN RUNNING THE RAT LINE. THEY WILL BE ACTIVE IN ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF THE VMI SYSTEM AND WEAR THEIR OWN CADET UNIFORMS. THESE JUNIORS AND SENIORS WILL LIVE APPROPRIATELY ON THE 1ST OR 2ND STOOP DEPENDING ON THEIR CLASS. THEY WILL FOLLOW VMI POLICIES AND REGULATIONS AS THE VMI CADETS WILL FOLLOW THE REGULATIONS OF THE COLLEGES THEY WILL VISITING.
THOSE EXCHANGE STUDENTS VISITING VMI FOR A SEMESTER WILL ARRIVE EARLY AND PARTICIPATE IN A FULL AND DETAILED ORIENTATION ON THE VMI SYSTEM. THE EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM IS NOT TO REPLACE THE DYKE SYSTEM AT VMI. THE DYKE SYSTEM WILL REMAIN IN TACT AND OPERATE AS IT ALWAYS HAS. THE EXCHANGE FEMALE CADETS MAY BE USED ON OCCASION AS A CO-DYKE WITH THE VMI DYKE TO ADVISE ON MATTERS MORE SPECIFIC TO FEMALE ISSUES. THE VMI CADET VISITING OTHER COLLEGES FOR A SEMESTER WILL BE ASSIGNED TO CO-ED COMPANIES IN OTHER CORPS AND WILL RETURN TO VMI WITH EXPERIENCE IN CO-ED UNITS. THE UPPER CLASS FEMALE EXCHANGE STUDENTS AT VMI WILL HELP THE FEMALE RATS AND WILL ALSO ALLOW OUR UPPERCLASSMEN TO WORK WITH THEM IN THE CO-ED ENVIRONMENT IN THE VMI ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR AREAS.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY 3 TRANSFER FEMALE CADETS FROM NMMI WHO WILL GRADUATE THIS SPRING FROM THEIR JUNIOR COLLEGE WITH A COMMISSION IN THE US ARMY. THEY WILL ATTEND VMI TO COMPLETE THEIR 4 YEAR COLLEGE CAREER . THEY WOULD MATRICULATE AS RATS BUT TAKE ACADEMIC CLASSES AS JUNIORS AND GRADUATE IN 2 YEARS. THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR VMI FOR WE HAVE HAD OTHER CADETS TRANSFER INTO VMI UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THESE CADETS FROM NMMI WILL HAVE EXPERIENCED A RAT LINE AND A MILITARY CADET LIFESTYLE ALREADY AT NMMI AND BE ABLE TO HELP THE OTHER MATRICULATING FEMALE CADETS THROUGH THEIR FIRST YEAR AT VMI.
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE DATES THAT LAY AHEAD ARE:
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1 JUNE - ALL PLANS AND POLICIES INCORPORATED INTO REGULATIONS
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30 JUNE - TRANSITION PROGRAM BEGINS
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18 AUGUST - CADRE PERIOD(MATRICULATION)
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CONTINUED FOLLOW ON ORIENTATION AND REVIEW OF PLANS AND POLICIES AFTER THAT
GEN. BUNTING ASKED THAT I PROVIDE STATUS REPORTS OF OUR STATUS AND PROGRESS TO THE COMMUNITY EVERY TWO WEEKS TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS ON BOARD AND ARE AWARE OF OUR PROGRESS. THE FIRST REPORT WAS PUBLISHED ON 31 JANUARY 1997.
IN CLOSING, I BELIEVE THERE ARE 4 AREAS THAT WILL HELP MAKE THIS A POSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE ASSIMILATION EFFORT.
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FIRST, THE ONE YEAR WE HAVE TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE AND PLAN FOR ASSIMILATION. THIS GIVES US TIME TO BRING THE CADET CORPS TOTALLY BEHIND THIS EFFORT.
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SECOND, A CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND ORIENTATION SESSION FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY.
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THIRD, AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING INTO THE CORPS UPPER CLASS FEMALE CADETS FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS. 
FOURTH, THE MAJOR EFFORT WE ARE MAKING TO INSURE THE CADET CORPS IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE PLANNING AND ULTIMATELY WILL HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IN THE PROGRAM. EVERY DAY THAT PASSES I SEE MORE INTEREST, ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT FOR OUR PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION.
CLOSE WITH THE NORWICH STORY REFLECTING THE ATTITUDE AND COMMENT FROM THE NORWICH STUDENTS WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THEIR COLLEGE.
ACCORDING TO JOE RIZZOLO 75 A PROFESSOR AT NORWICH THE CADETS WHO VISITED VMI WERE QUOTED IN THE NEWSPAPER AS SAYING THEY (VM WANT TO DO IT RIGHT. JOE IS AND BEING CONGRATULATED ON HOW HIS COLLEGE IS GOING ABOUT PLANNING FOR THE ASSIMILATION OF WOMEN INTO THE CORPS.