The Education Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill Wednesday that would add a non-voting faculty member to the University's Board of Visitors.
With a vote of 13-9, the committee advanced the legislation, which was sponsored by Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, and would apply to all of Virginia's public colleges.
The measure is intended to offer faculty more input in their institutions' long-term planning and decision-making. It was first presented to the House of Delegates yesterday after receiving committee approval.
If enacted, the Board would have to appoint a faculty member from candidates selected by the college's Faculty Senate or equivalent group. The new position strictly is advisory and would carry a term of at least one year.
According to Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, the new position would be similar to the one now in place for the Board's student representative.
"It's a matter of trying to increase the quality of communication between faculty and the Boards of Visitors," said Del. Mitch van Yahres, D-Charlottesville. "Right now faculty have to go through the president, who then goes to the Board. It's cumbersome."
While patrons of the bill cite solid, statewide faculty support for such a measure, those at the University seem hesitant to support the issue.
"There is no simple answer here," Faculty Senate chairman Robert M. Grainger said. "It's very important for faculty to be represented in the BOV, but the faculty is very well represented right now by our administration."
While Grainger questions the need for a non-voting faculty member on the Board at the University, he said he understands that there may be a need at other colleges.
"Relationships are more complex at other places," he said. "If my colleagues at other universities think this is a really important issue, then it ought to be considered."
Reportedly, debate on the issue has not been especially partisan or intense thus far, though some Republicans fear that college faculty would bring a predominantly liberal agenda to the boards.
Most opposition to the bill came from House Republicans despite the chief sponsor being a Republican. Seven of the nine "nays" came from Republicans while only two Democrats voted against the bill.
Van Yahres had no prediction as to whether or not the bill would make it through the House and Senate, but according to Bell, a committee vote of 13-9 usually is a good sign.
Read More
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 6 hours agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
U.Va.'s Earth Day Eco-Fair 2025 spotlights sustainability advocacy
By Leigh Bailey | 7 hours agoStudents from Contracted Independent Organizations and University Office of Sustainability leadership programs each shared their unique perspectives about sustainability advocacy on Grounds.
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | 17 hours agoStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
