§8468 Board of Visitors

Summary

A Board of Visitors for the Academy is set up each year to oversee the school. It includes leaders from both houses of Congress and six people picked by the President. From the Senate it includes the chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (or their designees), two other Senators picked by the Senate Majority Leader and two picked by the Senate Minority Leader, with one of each pair serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee. From the House it includes the chair and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (or their designees), two Representatives picked by the Speaker (one must be on the House Appropriations Committee), and two picked by the House Minority Leader. Presidential appointees serve three-year terms. If a term ends, the member stays until a successor is named. The President names two of those six each year to replace outgoing members. If any member dies or quits, the official who picked them names someone to finish the term. The Board must visit the Academy at least once a year and may make extra visits with the Secretary of the Navy’s approval. It reviews things like morale, discipline, curriculum, teaching, equipment, finances, and other Academy matters it chooses. Within 60 days after the annual visit the Board must send a written report with its actions and recommendations to the President and the Armed Services Committees of both houses. Other visit reports approved by a majority must also be sent within 60 days. The Secretary can allow advisers to help the Board. Members and advisers are paid travel costs under government rules. A majority can call one official meeting per year. Members may attend that meeting in person at the Academy or remotely if they choose.