The West Virginia University Board of Governors met Friday (March 17) and approved a resolution for financing of the first phase of the Enterprise Resource Planning Platform Modernization Plan. Additionally, members received a recap of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Chairman Tom Jones also noted the serious headwinds facing higher education in the future.
“We are facing a demographic cliff, declining college-going rates, financial stresses that were exacerbated by the pandemic and significant inflation,” Jones said. “We are a strong and steady University. But we need to ensure that we remain strong and steady into the future — that we are better because we turned those challenges into opportunities.”
Jones asked President Gordon Gee and the University’s leadership team to continue to develop a strategy that will position WVU as a leader in higher education in the coming decade addressing financial challenges and identifying immediate and long-term actions needed to create a stable and financially secure future.
“We know we cannot cut our way to prosperity. We need to plan and invest for growth — particularly in those areas that are, or could be, areas of strength,” Jones said. “I would encourage us to look at every administrative and academic program for ways to improve and advance our University. Do not be timid in making changes that may be overdue in making.”
Gee will outline a plan to answer that charge during his spring State of the University address next Monday, March 27. The campus community is invited to join the event which will begin at 10 a.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The address will be followed by an audience Q&A session.
For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will also be available via Zoom.