Fairmont State to announce presidential recommendation—May 10

Fairmont State University’s Board of Governors met yesterday, April 20, for their regularly scheduled meeting. After exiting a brief executive session, the Board voted to hold a special meeting on May 10 at 1 p.m., where they will announce their recommendation for President.

Four finalists, Rocco Fucillo, Bill Phillips, Michael Davis and Rosemary Thomas were on campus April 17 – 19 to meet with campus and community constituents and the BOG.

“Fairmont State is at the precipice of historical change and the Board’s selection will be a clear sign of our vision forward,” said Board Chairman Rusty Hutson. “I want to thank our search committee and its tri-chairs, Chuck Shields, Jennifer Kinty and Kevin Rogers, for a job well done. They have made this final decision very difficult and that is exactly what Fairmont State deserves, a competitive search for a transformational leader.”

After announcing their recommendation for the president-elect, the Board will likely vote to authorize Chairman Rusty Hutson to begin contract negotiations pending the approval from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

In other business, the Board approved the academic program review recommendations submitted for Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Forensics. In addition, the Board approved a degree name change from M.Ed. Digital Media, New Literacies and Learning to M.Ed. Instructional Design and Technology and the creation of a new master’s degree in Cyber Security & Risk Management. This new degree was previously only available as a concentration within the MBA program.  

Finally, the Board voted to approve an increase in tuition by 3% and a 4% increase to housing rent and meal plans.

“As a result of a review of tuition by President’s Cabinet, we recommended increases of $123 per semester to in-state undergraduate tuition and $142 per semester to graduate tuition. Virtual academic programs will see a 3% increase as well,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Christa Kwiatkowski. “The housing and meal plan increases are only the second requested increase in five years. In order to maintain valuable service to students and due to inflation in costs, an increase is needed. Our rates continue to remain below our peer institutions.”

For more information on the Fairmont State Presidential Search process and to review the candidates, please visit www.fairmontstate.edu/presidentialsearch.

Rocco FucilloBill PhillipsMichael DavisRosemary ThomasRusty HutsonChrista KwiatkowskiBoard of Governors