Bill seeks to overhaul VMI governance board 

(USA Today Network) A Virginia Beach delegate introduced legislation that would dissolve the board of visitors at Virginia Military Institute and transfer governance of the Lexington school to Virginia State University 159 miles away in Petersburg. 

House Bill 1374 would keep VMI as a separate college from VSU. However, it would be “under the supervision, management, and control of the board of visitors of Virginia State University,” the bill states. 

The move is the latest in a series of political struggles involving the current VMI board, state Senate Democrats and former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Last year, Democrats blocked two of Youngkin’s appointees to the VMI Board of Visitors, claiming they catered to the generally conservative alumni donors instead of what Democrats maintained were the “true values” of the 186-year-old school, the nation’s oldest state-supported military college. 

Shortly after assuming office, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, reshuffled the boards at VMI, the University of Virginia and George Mason University, appointing 27 new members. One of the new selections for VMI’s board was former Gov. Ralph Northam, a VMI grad. 

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Del. Michael Feggans, said in a statement released by his office that his legislation is more structural than punitive. 

“This legislation is about governance and the General Assembly‘s responsibility to ensure that public institutions are overseen in a manner that reflects stability, accountability, and sound judgment,” he said. “The bill restructures Virginia Military Institute’s governance by placing it under the oversight of the Virginia State University Board of Visitors, while preserving VMI’s mission, military structure, and academic role.” 

Feggans added that the bill “reflects broader, longstanding concerns about whether VMI’s current governance structure meets” Virginia higher education standards. 

“When patterns of governance issues arise, it is appropriate for the General Assembly to review and, if necessary, adjust oversight structures,” Feggans said. 

As for why VSU, a historically Black university that’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive southeast of Lexington, was chosen, Feggans did not disclose the reason. Washington and Lee University, which adjoins VMI’s campus in Lexington, is a private university. 

The legislation was introduced Jan. 20 and is awaiting House committee assignment. 

In a statement, VMI said it was reviewing legislation from the “robust agenda” that lawmakers have for the school this session, including Feggans’ bill.  

“We were not aware of his idea until [Jan. 20], and it is not something VMI proposed,” the statement said. “We look forward to discussions with our elected officials as an opportunity to demonstrate the value of VMI. For more than 186 years, VMI has served the commonwealth, producing citizen-soldiers who now lead in all walks of life. There are currently nearly 1,500 cadets at VMI with the same goal.” 

VSU officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the bill. 

Several lawmakers seemed surprised by the legislation and deferred immediate reaction. 

At a Jan. 21 news conference announcing the establishment of a Virginia Historically Black Colleges & Universities Caucus, participants were asked for comment on the bill. 

“The patron of that bill is in this room, and I don’t think that anybody has a comment about it,” Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, a VSU alumna, responded. Others nodded their heads in agreement with her. 

A spokesperson for Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, in whose district VSU is located, said Cherry would have no comment “at this time.” 

Further requests for comment were sought from Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, a Prince William County lawmaker and Petersburg native who was among the first women to graduate from VMI; and Spanberger’s office.