Attorney General Jay Jones announced on January 23 that he’s kicking off a national talent search for a new chief legal counsel for Virginia’s universities. He aims to find skilled candidates to help guide the University of Virginia and its leaders on legal matters. This effort is a move to make Virginia’s higher education system less political, a sentiment echoed by state lawmakers like Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Katrina Callsen.
In his statement, Jones criticized the involvement of the Trump Administration in university affairs, calling it detrimental to the reputation of Virginia’s academic institutions. He noted that Virginians recently expressed a desire for leaders who would stand against federal overreach, which is what this search aims to fulfill.
The Code of Virginia states that legal matters for public institutions in the state are typically handled by the attorney general’s office. This includes appointing a chief legal counsel for the University. Currently, Barry T. Meek serves as the acting counsel after the former counsel, Cliff Iler, resigned to join the University of Arizona.
The push for a new counsel comes amid tensions with the U.S. Justice Department. Former University President Jim Ryan resigned in July partly due to concerns about federal scrutiny impacting funding. Calls from the community for transparency regarding these issues have surfaced since then.
Critics of the Justice Department’s involvement, like Sen. Creigh Deeds, suggest that the political climate has created a challenging environment for universities. Deeds pointed out that influences from the Republican Party have affected university governance.
The Justice Department has investigated several university policies. While they’ve closed some investigations, others are still pending, impacting how universities can navigate compliance with civil rights laws.
In light of these developments, Senators Surovell and Callsen support hiring new counsel independent of political connections. Callsen remarked that Virginia is one of the few states that limits universities to using the attorney general as their main legal advisor. She believes having independent legal advice is crucial for navigating specific university issues.
Both senators are also advocating for legislation that would give universities more control over their legal representation. They aim to establish a separation between the attorney general’s office and university counsel, promoting political neutrality in legal advice.
Surovell emphasizes that any new counsel should prioritize independent legal guidance rather than follow political orders, especially after past administrations’ choices caused concern. Callsen hopes that the proposed legislation will advance in the 2026 session, reinforcing the need for best practices in university governance.
This issue highlights a growing trend in higher education to prioritize autonomy and reduce political interference—a relevant topic as universities navigate complex legal landscapes in today’s polarized environment.
Source link
