Board of Visitors Begins Year With Challenges Old and New

Sharply rapping the gavel Thursday at 3:15 p.m., Helen Dragas called the preliminary session of the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors  to order. "I'm going to start on time," she declared, smiling.

With that, Dragas officially began her tenure as U.Va.'s the first woman rector. Though she led the board's annual retreat in July, the sessions in the Rotunda on Thursday and Friday were considered the board's first meeting of 2011-2012.

She presided over a variety of discussions, including internal financial models, financial aid, the University's six-year plan, the Rotunda roof and the chimneys in student rooms in the Academical Village.


Investigation by structural and forensic engineers has led to a major sigh of relief: The leaky Rotunda roof is "structurally sound" and merely needs repair, not replacement, according to David Neuman, architect for the University.

The leaks have led to structural damage to the Rotunda's walls, and there was major concern that the roof would need to be replaced – and discussion about which of the iconic building's many historic eras a new roof would replicate.

Neuman briefed the board's Buildings and Grounds Committee on the investigation, which saw scaffolding erected around the Rotunda this summer and then excavation of a strip from the roof's base to the oculus at the top.

Repairs should begin by March, Neuman said, and the roof's appearance will remain largely as is, though it may be repainted a slightly duller shade of white to match its appearance in 1976, when the Rotunda was last restored.

Also needing repair are the fireplaces in the student rooms along the Lawn and the Ranges. A consultant discovered cracks in the chimney linings last month, leading University administrators to ban the use of the fireplaces until repairs can be made. A chimney fire could spread easily through the ceilings, as the 1800s-era buildings lack firewalls and sprinkler systems.

Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget, briefed the Buildings and Grounds Committee on the situation.

A committee of Lawn and Range residents on Wednesday submitted the results of a survey it conducted of this year's and last year's residents. The students favored repairing the chimneys and installing modern fire suppression systems, and suggested additional training on safe use of the fireplaces.