Meeting by telephone today (Dec. 16), West Virginia Universitys Board of Governors authorized University officials to sign an application and other documents for a $1 million grant from the West Virginia Legislature for upgrades to existing facilities at WVU Jackson’s Mill, the nation’s first state 4-H camp.

The appropriation is being administered through the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. Following EDA approval, WVU Extension will work with WVU Facilities Management to begin these critical improvements to the Mill’s historic campus and facilities in Weston.

In his report to the board, President David C. Hardesty Jr. said student applications are up some 1,277 over this time last year.

Hardesty attributed the increase to WVU s new student Web portal, which customizes information to meet prospective studentsinterests, and tothe WVU packagethat offers high-tech facilities, cutting-edge academic degree programs such as forensics and biometrics, top-notch faculty and successful athletic teams.

The president said interest on behalf of fans in WVU s BCS Sugar Bowl appearance on Jan. 2 isbriskand noted that a Fan Center will be set up at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to showcase the Universitys many off-the-field successes.

Dave Miller, special assistant to the president for legislative affairs, updated the board on legislative matters, noting that discussions continue on the funding of the PROMISE Scholarship, with debate about whether awards should be merit- or needs-based.

We will be watching this issue closely,Miller said,as the awards are an important part of our institutions budget.

Following passage of Senate Bill 603 last yearlegislation that came to be known as the flexibility bill WVU continues to implement policy and procedural changes enabled by that legislation. Over the next several months, some related policy changessuch as surplus and donation of computerswill be put out for public comment and subsequent action by the board.