Update from Student Member of the Board

Dear fellow students:

I hope you had a successful fall semester and are now enjoying winter break. As the spring semester approaches, I look forward to sharing your thoughts and concerns with the Board of Visitors and University leadership once more in an effort to better the University community for all. As the Student Member of the Board of Visitors, I am here to represent you. Meeting with my fellow students and hearing about their experiences is the most important aspect of my role.

Please know that I am always willing to speak with you and discuss any ideas or concerns you may have. If this is of interest to you or your organization, my email is [email protected]. As well, feel free to fill out this Microsoft Form to anonymously provide me with any thoughts you may have or to share your perspective on any issues that are important to you. Your responses are important to me as I discuss them with Board members, student leaders, and University leadership.

Review of December Meeting

On December 7-8, the Board held its quarterly meeting. Some highlights include:

• The expansion of AccessUVA to ensure more Virginia families will benefit from this financial aid program. Under the expansion, Virginia families with an income of $50,000 or less will receive grants that equal or exceed the cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. Moreover, Virginia families with an income of $100,000 or less will receive grants that equal or exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Previously, these income cutoffs were $30,000 and $80,000, respectively.
• A 3% increase in tuition for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years.
• The passage of the design for the Darden Student Housing Project, which will enhance the Darden student experience. The project will provide approximately 218 units and will primarily be 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments.

Application: Student Member of the Board of Visitors for 2024-2025

Although I serve through May 30, 2024, February 29-March 1 marks the final meeting of my term. This means the selection process for the next SMBOV is approaching. The application is open and closes on Sunday, January 28th, at 11:59 p.m. To apply for the role, you must meet these criteria:

• Full-time undergraduate student entering their final year of study (graduating in 2025) are eligible for the role.
• Full-time graduate student in at least their second year of study OR who previously attended UVA as an undergraduate student are also eligible.
• Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Serving as the Student Member of the Board of Visitors is an honor since you are entrusted with representing the full range of student opinion and perspective. The SMBOV plays a direct role in advocating for student concerns and ideas and seeks to find solutions through the Board and University leadership to make this university Great and Good.

To ensure this selection process is accessible to any eligible student who is interested in the SMBOV role, whether now or in the future, I have partnered with the Division of Student Affairs to host three information sessions for the role. These sessions take place:

• Wednesday, January 17th at 5 p.m. in Newcomb 389
• Friday, January 19th at 1 p.m. in Newcomb 376
• Monday, January 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in Newcomb 177

I will review the role of the Board of Visitors and the responsibilities of the SMBOV in these information sessions. Additionally, I will discuss the selection process and answer any questions related to the role. If you have any interest in the role, I strongly encourage you to attend one of the information sessions as it will provide valuable information about the position. Furthermore, if you are unable to attend an information session but are interested in the role, please feel free to reach out to me by email with your questions. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out the Board website to ensure you understand the role of the Board as you begin to fill out your application.

All the best,
Lillian Rojas
Student Member of the Board of Visitors | 2023-2024

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 Lillian Rojas, the 2023-2024 Student Member of the Board of Visitors at [email protected].