Marshall Board of Governors approves land acquisition for cyber security institute

The Marshall University Board of Governors today approved the purchase of two separate pieces of property along 4^th Avenue necessary to construct the Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) along the newly planned Innovation Corridor.

The two lots, 1530 and 1540 4^th Avenue, are currently vacant apartment structures and will be demolished. Construction on the ICS is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The board approved a name change for Smith Hall, the multi-story building complex at the corner of Third Avenue and Hal Greer Boulevard, to Stewart H. Smith Hall, fully recognizing the seventh president of Marshall University and alleviating any confusion that it was named after current President Brad D. Smith. Stewart H. Smith served as Marshall’s president for 22 years and has the longest tenure of any president to date. The seven-story building and communications building house dozens of academic majors and programs including journalism, communication disorders, criminal justice, mathematics, political science, sociology and anthropology, among many others. The name of the Evelyn Hollberg Smith Music Hall will remain unchanged.

Marshall’s new Student Government Association President Brea Belville was sworn in as the student representative on the Board of Governors by Cabell County Circuit Judge Sean “Corky” Hammers. Belville is a senior majoring in finance who aspires to attend law school.

Additional board action included the naming of two advisory board members for the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University. Landon Meadows and Dr. Hillary Adams will serve three-year terms.

Changes to existing policies on purchasing, academic responsibility and freedom and sabbatical leave were also approved.

The meeting included an update on the implementation of Campus Carry, state legislation allowing those with a valid concealed handgun license to carry a concealed weapon in designated areas of the Marshall University campus.  A university webpage that informs and educates the campus community on the new law has been created and there are several training sessions for faculty, staff and students scheduled over the next few weeks as the semester begins. Additionally, Marshall Athletics has launched an awareness campaign, Safe to Stay with the Herd, that will educate fans about changes to athletic facilities.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is set for Oct. 9, 2024.