USAFA Board of Visitors Meeting - 8 DEC 2025

The US Air Force Board of Visitors met virtually for a public meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2025. Watch or scroll down to see transcript, notes and summaries.

[00:00:00]: Opening, quorum, and administrative notes
[00:05:20]: Chairman’s remarks, agenda, priorities, and tribute
[00:12:57]: Superintendent’s overview and meeting roadmap
[00:14:07]: Cadet Chapel restoration progress and acceleration plans
[00:24:57]: Chapel update interrupted; transition to next topic
[00:25:10]: Restoring the Force task forces and reviews
[00:31:29]: SAF/MR assessment on compliance and admissions
[00:39:26]: Staffing reductions, course coverage, and ratios
[00:42:00]: Accreditation primer and discipline accreditations
[00:45:28]: New working groups; board Q&A begins
[00:47:34]: Cadet end-strength and admissions offers discussion
[00:51:30]: Visitor Center funding, timeline, and exhibits
[00:57:53]: Appropriations priorities request from the board
[01:00:34]: Faculty composition, pipelines, and conversions
[01:07:34]: Athletics funding questions and AFAAC status
[01:10:33]: Privacy Act QFRs and DEI billets clarification
[01:13:46]: Transition to drone warfare innovation brief
[01:15:47]: Drone warfare lessons and cadet innovation proposals
[01:39:24]: Drone brief wrap-up; resources and next steps
[01:40:29]: Break announced; reconvene timing and roll call
[01:42:49]: Public comments ground rules and process
[01:44:08]: Curriculum concerns and recommendations (Professor Buhly)
[01:52:19]: Faculty vacancies and accreditation risks (Dr. Aretz)
[01:56:29]: Military backfill viability and HLC complaints (Dr. Murphy)
[02:01:27]: Disenrollment due process concerns (Denise Gimple)
[02:06:26]: Men’s soccer case overview (Richard Coe)
[02:08:43]: Cadet discipline system reforms requested (Mike Rose)
[02:11:19]: Men’s soccer due process and punishment (Marc Stout)
[02:14:12]: Board to review honor and discipline systems
[02:16:00]: Action items review and recommendations
[02:26:46]: Action items vote and next briefing expectations
[02:28:16]: Board comments; facilities and cadet well-being
[02:30:55]: Dorm leaks and mold response update
[02:32:03]: Infrastructure priority and cadet excellence noted
[02:33:18]: Encroachment mitigation and community coordination
[02:34:44]: Athletics support, home-field advantage, and wins
[02:38:14]: Chairman’s closing remarks and next meeting
[02:44:34]: Public session adjourned; switching to administrative session

AI Transcript of Meeting: USAFA BOV Meeting 8DEC25 TRANSCRIPT (pdf)

AI Summary:

The US Air Force Academy Board of Visitors (BoV) convened virtually, confirmed quorum, and addressed technical issues transitioning platforms; Chair Rep. August Pfluger opened with priorities and meeting cadence (in-person Feb DC; virtual spring).
Chair raised concern over USAFA’s late responses to Questions for the Record (QFRs), stressing timeliness is essential for BoV’s statutory reporting to senior leadership and Congress.
Superintendent Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and AFCEC briefed the Cadet Chapel restoration: significant delays from asbestos/steel alignment now addressed; leadership-enabled acceleration (deal team, supply prioritization, added PM/contracting staff), upcoming water testing, and public transparency efforts (site tours, explainer videos).
USAFA reported ongoing compliance with executive orders (ending DEI programs/practices), a merit-based admissions process, and continued monitoring; SAF/MR’s Brian Scarlett validated compliance and admissions reforms, with further spring oversight planned.
Curriculum/facilities task forces reviewed materials, signage, and spaces for compliance; the dean’s team is conducting a comprehensive core curriculum review (first in ~15 years), integrating AI and warfighter focus; facilities audit led to rapid corrections.
Faculty/resourcing: USAFA noted a ~5.5% reduction in faculty, protected all core/major requirements for Classes ’26–’27, reduced non-core electives ~2%, and maintained an 8.8:1 student-faculty ratio; mix shifted to ~66% military/34% civilian. HLC accreditation processes and timelines were outlined (institutional and program-level).
Strategic force development: Dr. Paul Schwinnison briefed on wartime innovation and drones (Ukraine lessons), urging bottom-up, rapid iteration and cadet engagement; USAFA invited him to review current programs; members flagged SecWar’s drone dominance initiative as a funding opportunity.
Resourcing/structure debates: discussion on restoring cadet end-strength toward 4,400 (sequestration-era cuts drove today’s 4,000), associated manpower/funding needs (DF, athletics), visitor center opening targeted for 15 May 2026 with staged exhibits, and encroachment protections (Jacks Valley).
Public comments focused on academic staffing losses and HLC concerns, due process and proportionality in disenrollment/discipline (including men’s soccer case), and a specific academic grievance; USAFA will provide written responses. A dorm flooding/mold issue was raised; CE actions and the Sijan Hall renovation timeline were noted.
Action items: BoV kept open the Space Education Center and BOSI USAFA (with prioritized funding list) and Military Professor Copyright (pending legislation); closed others on harmful behavior prevention and re-optimization updates. Next: BoV requests USAFA come prepared with explicit legislative/resource asks at the February in-person meeting.

Inside the US Air Force Academy’s December Board of Visitors Meeting: What Was Discussed

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors held its December 8 virtual meeting, open to the public, to review progress since August and shape recommendations for upcoming reports to the Department of the Air Force and the Department of War. Chaired by Congressman August Pfluger, the session covered operational updates, academics and accreditation, admissions, facilities, and public input, with an eye toward both near-term fixes and long-term institutional health.

The board confirmed upcoming meetings in Washington, DC (February) and another virtual meeting in the spring as part of its renewed oversight cadence. Early in the meeting, the chair expressed concern about the timeliness of USAFA’s responses to questions for the record, underscoring the board’s statutory responsibilities and the need for predictable timelines.

Leaders provided several institutional updates. A major focus was the Cadet Chapel restoration: the Air Force Civil Engineer Center reported progress after delays driven by asbestos remediation and structural alignment issues, with leadership now pushing schedule acceleration, strengthening the on-site project team, and improving public messaging about milestones such as water testing.

USAFA also outlined a set of task forces formed to align with “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” covering curriculum, the broader cadet experience, facilities, and surveys. A Pentagon assessment team (SAF/MR) described its recent on-site review, concluding the academy is adhering to executive orders and moving to a merit-based admissions process for the current cycle; the team plans to observe admissions deliberations this spring. A facilities walk-through effort found the campus largely compliant with display and policy guidance after rapid corrective actions.

Academic and staffing topics featured prominently. USAFA leaders reported a 5.5% reduction in faculty, while core courses and majors for the Classes of 2026 and 2027 remain on track; a small number of non-core electives were reduced this term. The student-to-faculty ratio rose slightly to 8.8 (still well below national undergraduate averages).

The board reviewed USAFA’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation status and related discipline-specific accreditations (ABET, ACS, AACSB). Questions arose about the long-term mix of military and civilian faculty, the pipeline for advanced-degree instructors, and whether USAFA could restore the cadet wing from 4,000 back toward 4,400—an earlier level reduced during sequestration. The superintendent said facility capacity exists but would require corresponding manpower, academic resourcing, and operations and maintenance support.

Separately, an update on the new Visitor Center confirmed a May 15 opening aligned to graduation, with phased development of interactive exhibits dependent on non-appropriated funding.

A special session spotlighted innovation and drones. Guest speaker Dr. Paul Schwinnison shared operational lessons from Ukraine’s rapidly evolving use of uncrewed systems and urged USAFA to accelerate bottom-up experimentation, joint-service competitions, and practical exposure for cadets to emerging technologies and concepts. Board members tied the discussion to ongoing DoD initiatives on drone dominance and asked USAFA to identify ways the board can assist with resourcing and policy obstacles (including airspace use on and around the academy).

The public comment period then raised several concerns: due process and proportionality in cadet conduct and disenrollment systems, the men’s soccer case, academic due process in an English course dispute, and the ability to sustain accreditation standards amid faculty turnover. USAFA committed to respond in writing to the public comments, while the chair said the board’s next report will specifically address honor, conduct, due process, and timeliness.

The board closed by reviewing and voting on longstanding action items. Members kept open: the Space Education Center (to track plans and funding), military professor copyright authorities (pending legislative action), and the “BOS-I USAFA” infrastructure effort (with a request for a prioritized funding list). Items addressing harmful behavior prevention and re-optimization directives were closed, given completed reporting and leadership transitions.

Infrastructure remains a top concern—members highlighted age-driven repairs and near-term dormitory issues—while local encroachment, visitor experience, and athletics as a recruiting and visibility asset also drew attention.

The chair emphasized clear timelines for future deliverables, encouraged USAFA to proactively request board assistance on legislative and resourcing needs, and reaffirmed the board’s intent to provide constructive oversight focused on academic excellence, readiness, and the whole-of-person development that defines the academy’s mission.

AI Meeting Notes:

Governance and Compliance Updates

Chair raised concern over late QFR responses; expects timely, process-compliant submissions
SAF/MR (Scarlett): USAFA in compliance with executive orders; admissions moving to fully merit-based; continued monitoring planned in spring
Board forming working groups: Admissions, Accreditation, AI
Superintendent to respond in writing to public comments (due process, soccer team case, disenrollments)

Facilities and Infrastructure

Cadet Chapel: significant delays (asbestos, steel alignment) accounted for; acceleration plan underway (deal team, supply prioritization, added PM/contracting staff); water testing imminent; public comms plan expanding
Visitor Center: opening targeted for May 15, 2026; no additional USAF funds secured; seeking benefactors; state response expected Dec 18
BOSI USAFA/FIX USAFA 2.0: continued focus on long-term recapitalization of aging campus (50-year lifecycle spread)
Dorm issues: water leak/mold in Sijan reported; CE repairs in progress; major Sijan renovation starts this summer
Encroachment: ongoing coordination with community to protect training (e.g., Jacks Valley)

Academics, Faculty, Admissions, Accreditation

Faculty reductions: ~5.5% decrease; core and majors protected for Classes ‘26–’27; ~2% reduction in non-core electives; student-faculty ratio 8.8:1
Faculty mix shift: ~66% military / 34% civilian; strengthened military faculty pipeline (sponsorships, total force options)
Accreditation: HLC 10-year cycle; mid-cycle/quality initiative underway for 2028; program accreditations (ABET, ACS, AACSB) ongoing
Curriculum review: comprehensive scrub for compliance; core review underway; AI integration efforts; facilities content review completed for EO compliance
Admissions: ~1,400 offers targeting ~1,135 appointees; discussion to evaluate restoring wing size to 4,400 contingent on manpower/O&M

Innovation and Future Warfighting

External brief underscored urgency of drone/UAS dominance, rapid iteration, bottom-up innovation culture
USAFA pursuing education/training initiatives in drones, cyber, airspace access; Superintendent invited follow-on visit to align priorities/resources
Noted SecWar’s “drone dominance” initiative as potential funding avenue

Action Items

USAFA to provide written responses to all public comments (due process, soccer team case, disenrollments)
Superintendent to present specific NDAA/appropriations priorities at next meeting
USAFA/DAF to assess resources required to return cadet end strength to ~4,400 and brief options
Provide accurate, department-level faculty counts (military/civilian, degrees, experience) and a staffing plan to sustain accreditation and majors
Schedule meeting with USAFA Legal, SAF/MR, SAF/TC to refine Privacy Act-compliant QFR wording
Clarify DEI office billet dispositions in writing (positions filled/unfilled, reassignments)
Chapel project: report outcomes of water test and acceleration negotiations; share updated schedule/cost
Visitor Center: confirm May 15, 2026 opening plan; brief funding for exhibits and Dec 18 state response
Dorm issue: report mitigation status and Sijan renovation timeline; maintain rapid reporting channels
Encroachment: deliver requested documents to community stakeholders; continue coordination
Host Dr. Schwinnison visit; consolidate USAFA drone/UAS initiatives and identify resource asks (incl. SecWar drone program)
Action Items status (per votes):
- Keep open: Space Education Center (update plan/funding); Military Professor Copyright (pursue legislation); BOSI USAFA (provide prioritized funding list)
- Close: TAPR/budget update; Prevention of Harmful Behaviors strategy; Reoptimization update