Updates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, student accomplishments, academics, and the proposed strategic plan highlighted the Annual Meeting of the Bob Jones University Board of Trustees held on campus April 23-24.
“The annual Board meeting is always highly anticipated,” said Dr. Joshua Crockett, BJU president, “as it gives us the opportunity to both update the Board on key accomplishments of the University as a whole and individuals within our campus community and to solicit Board input on current initiatives and challenges.”
As BJU approaches the end of its current Fiscal Year, we anticipate ending the year meeting our FY 2025 budget. The Trustees approved the budget for FY 2026.
In his address to the Board, Crockett emphasized student accomplishments. Students have excelled in intercollegiate competitions across a wide academic spectrum, including cinema students in film production; the student newspaper staff for news writing, photography and video; and engineering students for robotics design. Students have received research grants including from NASA, presented past research at technical conferences, and designed a prosthetic arm. They have also devoted many hours to outreach ministry and community service, such as the ongoing Hurricane Helene relief effort with ARCH Ministries in Western North Carolina.
BJU continually reviews academic programs to ensure offerings meet market demand and support the mission of the University. At this meeting, the Board approved three new online degree programs — Biblical Studies and Ministries, BA; Sport Management, BS; and General Business, BS; along with a resident Performance, BMus which can be earned in voice, keyboard or instrumental disciplines.
The Trustees received an update on a proposed bridge strategic plan, encompassing three main initiatives — the development of a new Student Information System as part of improving the student experience, exploring potentially expanding skilled trades programs, and expanding online programs. The bridge strategic plan will be finalized and submitted to the Board for approval at which time the Board will appoint a subcommittee to work closely with the administration as the plan is implemented.
A new mobile friendly Student Information System is especially important. It will improve academic operations, including scheduling courses, registration and billing for both resident and online students.
In follow-on discussions, the Trustees heard reports on academics; student life; enrollment; marketing; advancement; the School for Continuing, Online and Professional Education; information technology, and campus facilities.
Regarding its own operation, the Board plans to hold quarterly rather than semi-annual meetings of its standing committees which focus on finances, marketing and development, academics and student life, and facilities and information technologies. A Board goal is to strengthen communication among committees and with the administration. The Board did not add any new members at this meeting.
In addition to reports from the executive team, the Board heard testimonies from a faculty representative in the School of Health Professions and a student leader. They also had dinner with the administration, academic deans, Faculty Advisory Committee and student leadership.
