To
All Students
From
Lisa Kopelnik, Student Member BOV

Dear University Community,

I hope you are enjoying the start of the Spring semester! I am writing to share updates on the work of the Board of Visitors from the Fall. As the body responsible for University oversight and long-term planning, the Board’s work directly impacts our community, and it is essential to remain informed and engaged as a student body.

As the Student Member, I am dedicated to representing your interests, needs, and concerns to the Board and to University leadership. To that end, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] with your ideas, feedback, or concerns. 

Looking ahead, the next Board meeting will take place on March 5-6, 2025. Additionally, the selection process for the 2025-2026 Student Member of the Board is officially underway! The application is due on January 31, and more information on the process can be found below.

Fall 2024 Semester Review: 

The Board of Visitors convened for a special meeting on August 22, followed by regular quarterly meetings on September 11-13 and December 5-6. For full meeting details, I encourage you to review the public minutes. Here are some key highlights:

  • August 22, 2024:
    • Approved a resolution expressing zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination based on religious differences and reaffirmed efforts to promote religious belonging on Grounds.
  • September 11-13, 2024:
    • Supported the Athletics Division amid evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) considerations, emphasizing UVA’s commitment to competitive excellence.
    • Adopted the University's Guiding Principles on Institutional Statements, promoting institutional restraint by limiting public statements on social and political issues, except when expressing sympathy to those directly affected by events impacting Grounds.
    • Celebrated the $20 million Stephenson Data Science Bicentennial Scholars fund and discussed exciting developments in University research, the Pan-University Entrepreneurship Initiative, and the new National Security Data and Policy Institute.
  • December 5-6, 2024:
    • Approved the revised Critical Incident Management Plan, ensuring enhanced preparedness for all hazard incidents.
    • Approved graduate and special program tuition increases ranging from 0.4% to 4.1%, along with housing (around 5.5%) and dining cost adjustments (5.21%-5.29%), effective July 2025.
    • Affirmed the implementation of the Ivy Corridor Student Housing project as part of UVA’s 2030 Plan including mandatory second-year housing, along with the development of a new Center for the Arts.
    • Celebrated a $20 million gift from Board Member John Nau to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and approved two new degree programs in the School of Education and Human Development.

Apply to Be the 2025-2026 Student Member of the Board! 

The application to become the next Student Member of the Board of Visitors is open! This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to represent the student body and contribute directly to the University's progress. 

The incoming Student Member will begin their service on June 1, 2025, participating in the June Board meeting. The application deadline is January 31 at 11:59 PM. Students from all backgrounds and experiences that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. 

Eligibility:

  • Full-time undergraduate students entering their final year of undergraduate study (Class of 2026)
  • Full-time graduate students in at least their second year or those who completed their undergraduate studies at UVA
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

Information Sessions: 

I will be hosting information sessions to provide insights into the role, its expectations, and the application process. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to reach out, and I will provide you with the presentation. The remaining information sessions will take place on:

  • Wednesday, January 22, at 6 PM in New Cabell Room 207
  • Monday, January 27, at 7 PM in New Cabell Room 407

The SMBOV position is a part of UVA’s storied legacy of student self-governance – a principle empowering students to directly impact the direction and operations of our University. It is imperative for us to continue to engage with this tradition, and to ensure our voices are heard. 

Thank you for being an engaged participant in our University community. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing to serve as your representative throughout this semester.

Sincerely,

Lisa Kopelnik
Student Member of the Board of Visitors | 2024-2025


About the Board of Visitors
The Board of Visitors is composed of seventeen voting members appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, for terms of four years. In addition, the Board of Visitors appoints, for a one-year term, a full-time student and faculty representative at the University of Virginia as non-voting representatives to the Board of Visitors. The Board of Visitors serves as the corporate board for the University of Virginia and is responsible for the long-term planning of the University. The Board approves certain policies and the budget of the University and is entrusted with the preservation of the University's many traditions, including the Honor System. The Board maintains offices in the Northwest Wing of the Rotunda and holds regular meetings four times per year. The meetings are open to the public to observe, except closed sessions to address specific issues authorized by law to be discussed in closed session.
See a list of all Board Members.

Comments, questions, or concerns?
Contact Lisa Kopelnik, the 2024-2025 Student Member of the Board of Visitors at [email protected].