CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Changes are on the horizon for how Virginia universities pick their Board of Visitors. This year’s General Assembly is working on reforms, but the House and Senate still need to reconcile some differences in their proposed bills.
Delegate Katrina Callsen of Charlottesville mentioned that many lawmakers have introduced bills with various provisions. The House bill, HB1385, is currently going through amendments and was initiated by Delegate Lilly Franklin from Montgomery County. Meanwhile, Senator Creigh Deeds from Charlottesville has introduced the Senate bill, SB494, which has also undergone significant revisions.
“It looks like these bills will end up in a conference before reaching the Governor,” Callsen remarked. “There will be meaningful changes.”
Both bills propose extending the Board members’ terms from four to six years. They also include plans for studies on how these governing boards employ legal counsel, which is crucial since Virginia is one of just three states where university legal advisors are managed at the state level.
The House version suggests forming a group under the Attorney General to assess whether each university’s board should handle its own legal counsel. A report from this review is expected by November 1. Conversely, the Senate version aims to form a committee with public university board members and administrators to develop recommendations.
A notable part of both bills codifies a state Supreme Court ruling, ensuring any rejection of a nominee by either the House or Senate Privileges and Elections committees is treated as a General Assembly decision. Additionally, the Senate bill mandates that the university boards include nonvoting faculty, staff, and student members. These members will not vote but can participate in meetings.
The faculty member will be appointed by the Faculty Senate, while the staff member will be chosen by a majority of the institution’s staff. The student representative will be selected by the Student Council or a similar body. Faculty and staff will serve for one year, while student terms will vary based on board decisions.
While these changes don’t give voting rights to faculty and students, they can still attend closed sessions. However, discussions around sensitive topics like faculty grievances or salaries can exclude them, ensuring privacy in specific matters.
The Senate bill also enhances protections for the expression of viewpoints by students and faculty, a move supported by many advocates for academic freedom. Callsen proposed that boards independently choose their legal counsel but acknowledges that many prefer to wait for a thorough review over the next year.
Overall, these proposed reforms indicate a shift toward greater transparency and inclusivity in Virginia’s university governance. They reflect a broader trend where stakeholder participation in decision-making is increasingly valued, showing a commitment to adapt and improve educational leadership.
