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WVU Board begins process to extend President Gee’s contract

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WVU President Gordon Gee's contract will be evaluated ahead of a possible renew of his contract beyond its June 30, 2021 expiration.

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 The West Virginia University Board of Governors began the process Friday of a state-mandated periodic evaluation of President Gordon Gee, and also set guidelines for a possible renewal of his contract beyond its June 30, 2021 expiration.

While the state mandates evaluation of presidents every three years, Board Chair William Wilmoth said, “President Gee has indicated he would be interested in extending his time with West Virginia University, and I am excited and believe it is in this institution’s best interest to explore that option.”

The board unanimously approved the establishment of a Presidential Contract Review committee to discuss the options available regarding the current contract. The Board will divide responsibilities, with Vice Chair David Alvarez leading the evaluation process and Wilmoth the contract extension consideration.

Both committees will report at the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on June 21 in Beckley.

Also Friday, the Board approved sending out for comment a number of revised policies and procedures to implement new BOG rules in accordance with legislation passed two years ago as part of providing the University flexibility in self-governance without oversight from the state Higher Education Policy Commission.

As part of those revisions, new rules were proposed governing intellectual property created using various levels of University resources. Also, the Board approved for comment a rule regarding freedom of expression.

The new rules and revision will be available for comment for 30 days beginning Monday through May 14. Copies are available at http://bog.wvu.edu/policies and a copy of the proposed Rules and this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at http://policies.wvu.edu/. Additionally, copies of both are available at the President’s Office in Room 103 of Stewart Hall.

In other business Friday, the Board approved: 

  • Hiring of a student housing developer to study, make recommendations, and assist with the implementation of a student housing strategy as well as a developer to study, make recommendations and assist with maximizing real property owned and leased by the University
  • Sale of land in Montgomery to a company to develop housing for the elderly or disabled.
  • Renovation of the School of Pharmacy area on the third floor of Health Science’s Center North, 3rd Floor
  • Renaming of the Federal Building in Beckley to Interdisciplinary Science Building and the Evansdale Residential Complex Townhomes and Garages to Eagle Place.
  • Acquisition of a small parcel of land adjacent to Dadisman Hall and transfer of property and easements for widening of the intersection of Willowdale Road and Valley View Avenue.
  • A new major in educational theory and practice within the education doctoral program; doctorate in occupational therapy in the School of Medicine and new certificates in creative strategy, data marketing communications, digital and social media, healthcare communication, higher education marketing and public relations leadership in the Reed College of Media.

Wilmoth also appointed a nominating committee to recommend new officers for the Board beginning July 1.

-WVU-

jb/04/12/19

CONTACT: John A. Bolt; University Relations/Communications
304.293.5520; jabolt@mail.wvu.edu

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