I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Faculty and staff should be represented on all Boards of Visitors - this is a common-sense measure to improve the governing of our public universities by leaning into the expertise of the people who know their universities best. Staff and faculty should choose their own representatives without pressure from BOVs or other outside forces. Stephanie Saccone Brightpoint Community College

I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Furthermore, staff and faculty should choose their own representatives without pressure from BOVs or other outside forces. Thank you.

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 1467, which aims to expand the membership of the board of visitors for each baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth. This proposed legislation introduces a valuable addition to the Board of Visitors by including two nonvoting advisory members, one faculty member, and one staff member, to contribute crucial perspectives to the decision-making process. The addition of an advisory faculty member, selected by the institution's faculty, and an advisory staff member, selected by the institution's staff, represents a commendable step toward ensuring that the voices of key stakeholders are considered in the governance of our higher education institutions. This approach recognizes the significance of involving those directly engaged in the academic and operational aspects of the institution in the decision-making process. Furthermore, this bill allows the faculty and staff to determine the appropriate selection process for their representatives, providing flexibility that respects the autonomy of each institution. This adaptability ensures that the chosen advisory members reflect the unique needs and dynamics of their respective academic communities. In conclusion, I believe that the passage of this bill will contribute to a more well-informed decision-making process within our baccalaureate public institutions of higher education. The valuable insights of faculty and staff can strengthen the governance structure, enhance institutional effectiveness, and ultimately provide a better educational experience for our students. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I urge you to support House Bill 1467for the benefit of our higher education community.

I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. We are happy to see that this bill addresses the vague language of the original in order to ensure crucial faculty representation on BOVs. Having faculty representation on these boards should not be optional. As the primary groups on the front lines with our students, having the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning on BOVs means we can be heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Thank you.

I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Faculty and staff should be represented on all Boards of Visitors - this is a common-sense measure to improve the governing of our public universities by leaning into the expertise of the people who know their universities best. Staff and faculty should choose their own representatives without pressure from BOVs or other outside forces.

As a staff member at the University of Virginia I support HB 1467. Our students will be better served by the inclusion of staff and faculty representatives to our Board of Visitors. In addition, those representatives should be chosen by their own constituencies and we have mechanisms in place to easily do so. Thank you.

I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Faculty and staff should be represented on all Boards of Visitors - this is a common-sense measure to improve the governing of our public universities by leaning into the expertise of the people who know their universities best. Staff and faculty should choose their own representatives without pressure from BOVs or other outside forces.

Dear Members of the House Education Committee, I write to you to urge you to support Delegate Laufer's HB1467 bill. It is imperative that the current statute be modified to specify that BOVs shall appoint a non-voting faculty and staff representative and specify the mechanisms by which those representatives are selected. Its is about democracy and democratic process and improving board deliberations. This is not a partisan issue. I have been a member of a faculty senate facing the dilemma of selecting a truly independent non-voting faculty representative to the Board of Visitors. First, It is imperative that current legislation be changed from boards "MAY" appoint to "SHALL" appoint a representative. Board vary in their inclusion and selection processes. This bill would also make the process of selection of the faculty representative uniform and consistent across all BOVs at all public universities. It would clarify that the one faculty representative would be 1) elected by the faculty at large or by the faculty senate by majority vote or 2) would be elected to the position as a faculty senate chair (or past chair) who has been elected by majority vote. This will ensure a that the BOVs have a authentic representative of the faculty who will accurately present the faculty's views thus serving the best interests of the board and the university. Asking for a slate of names from which to choose is not an election but a nominations process. The same is true of the staff representative. There are currently no non-voting taff representatives on BOVS. The staff represent a significant stakeholder group in our universities whose voice at the table will improve board deliberations and actions and university operations. Adding a non-voting staff representative will improve collaborative governance. Staff can elect their representative in an at-large election or through staff senates or by elevating an office of the staff senate to the position of representative. State statute dictates that any non-member of a board may be allowed to sit in during closed session at the discretion of the board. These changes will improve board processes by including truly independent faculty and staff representatives on the boards. The bill will provide consistency across BOVs by formalizing what many board currently do to include faculty representatives. When boards choose their representative it tends to create an echo chamber that does a disservice to deliberation and effective collaboration.

I am writing in support of House Bill 1467. College instructors appreciate the work of the Board of Visitors, but the faculty need to have a greater voice in the governance of colleges and universities. We faculty work with the students and understand their needs.

Please SUPPORT HB 1467, which ensures that faculty and staff have direct representation on Boards of Visitors across the commonwealth. As someone who has worked closely with first and second year college students, I see so many moments when administrators and executives seem out of step with the day to day challenges and needs of those students (especially in the aftermath of the pandemic). Students deserve to have advocates in decision making spaces who know them and can speak to their experiences. Allowing faculty and staff to elect their own representatives also ensures that BoVs and admin are not simply agreed with but rather are challenged to meet the full breadth of their charge. This piece of legislation will make our colleges and universities more responsive to the students they aim to serve!

Vote YES on HB 1467 HB 1467 is a common-sense piece of legislation that requires public college and university Boards of Visitors to include nonvoting faculty and staff representatives. This requirement will improve governance in our public institutions of higher education by ensuring the people who will be implementing the crucial decisions made by Boards of Visitors are in the room actively participating when those decisions are being made. No one knows better the needs, challenges, and strengths of faculty, staff, and students than the faculty, staff, and students themselves. And it is important how those representatives are chosen. To be able to effectively represent the interests of their constituents, each faculty and staff representative to BOVs must be elected or otherwise chosen by their constituents without influence from the Boards.

Please support HB1467 which provides for additional representative on the Board of Visitors for non-voting faculty and staff. It is vital that the voices of all are included in decisions that impact higher education.

Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support. The role of BOVs and the service they provide is very important. However, since the individuals that work at the colleges have more direct contact with the students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated.

Faculty and staff should be represented on all Boards of Visitors - this is a common-sense measure to improve the governing of our public universities by leaning into the expertise of the people who know their universities best Staff and faculty should choose their own representatives without pressure from BOVs or other outside forces.

I am writing in support of this bill. It is critical that faculty and staff have a voice in matters regarding the university operations. This is a step in the right direction.

I was delighted to see and read this bill. This bill undoubtedly brings out equity in governance in Virginia Community Colleges since a nonvoting faculty member and a classified member can be part of the Board of Governors. Moreover, this is the right step toward establishing shared governance and nothing will be done in an exclusive space. So, please, I urge to pass this bill. Thank you so much for all the work you do for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated.

Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Again, thank you.

I fully support the requirement for a nonvoting faculty and staff member to be on the BOV as state universities. These individuals can provide valuable perspectives to the board and also bring information back to Faculty Senate.

Since the decisions that the BOV makes frequently have significant impact on faculty and/or staff, it would only be logical and ethical for the BOV to welcome representatives for these important stakeholder groups to sit as non-voting members of the board. It would also only make sense to have these representatives selected by faculty and staff, rather than by the BOV itself. To not have this representation would be a concerning signal regarding the priorities and transparency of the BOV.

I am writing to express my support for HB 1467. It will ensure that the voices of faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are represented when important decisions are made affecting our work and our students.

In support of bill HB1467 to create clarity to mandate representation from a voting faculty and staff member on the BOV.

As an instructor at Brightpoint Community College, I am writing to express my support of HB 1467. As the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Thank you for sponsoring this bill and considering my perspective.

Please support HB1467 because it clearly states the selection process for faculty and staff non-voting voices on the Boards of Visitors. I am on the faculty at VCU and am an alumna of UVA. The disingenuous attempt by UVA's Board of Visitors to choose the faculty representative to the Board of Visitors illustrates the need to specify that the representative must be selected by the faculty itself. Adding a staff representative is an additional benefit of this bill. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Shannon Mitchell, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Economics Virginia Commonwealth University smitchel@vcu.edu

Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support. We appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide but teachers are the primary groups on the front lines with our students. Therefore, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated.

I urge you to SUPPORT HB1467. Current Virginia law specifies that Boards of Visitors have the option to appoint advisory faculty members to the board, specifying that “such representatives shall be chosen from individuals elected by the faculty or the institution’s faculty senate or its equivalent." Given that faculty are the hands-on experts on making a university run at the level of its central tasks -– teaching and research – it is simply untenable that it's a good idea for a given university or for the Commonwealth that the faculty of a university NOT be able to specify who that faculty representative to the BOV is, and even more untenable that a BOV should have an OPTION whether to allow any such faculty representative at all, even though that faculty representative has only an advisory rather than voting role. Similar logic applies to university staff, who are the hands-on experts at keeping the business and faculty support functions of a university going. HB1467, in its current form, would correct the current law by mandating that a university's faculty senate or its equivalent (i.e., a body that consists of faculty chosen by the faculty as a whole) designate an advisory faculty representative to their BOV (rather than, for example, offering a list of recommended faculty from which a BOV would choose, as the University of Virginia BOV recently directed), and that such a faculty representative is required (not an option at the discretion of the BOV). And HB1467 would similarly require that there be an advisory staff representative to the BOV. Dale W. Wimberley Sociology professor Virginia Tech

Vote YES on HB1467. It is essential to include a faculty member, staff member, and student on BOVs. This is necessary to ensure that BOVs have the benefit of faculty, staff, and student knowledge, experience, and perspective when addressing the consequential issues addressed and decisions made by the BOV. Our universities will be better able to make wise decisions to serve the needs of our students and support the vital work done by faculty and staff with this expanded participation. No one knows better the needs, challenges, and strengths of faculty, staff, and students than do faculty, staff, and students. It is also important that faculty and staff representatives be chosen by their constituents, e.g., by the faculty senate and student government associations. This method for selecting representatives affirms and embodies our commitment to inclusive participation and democratic principles. To optimize the success of Virginia universities, vote YES on HB 1467.

Delegate Laufer, Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support for this important bill. The BOVs provide an important service to higher education institutions, and it is important that the representation on the BOV reflects insight into issues that impact students and faculty. As faculty and staff of our state institutions of learning are on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated.

As a leader of both the Virginia Conference and the George Mason University chapter of the American Association of University Professors, I write in support of HB 1467. Importantly, HB 1467 mandates that Boards of Visitors (BOVs) have a non-voting faculty member and non-voting staff member on the BOV, selected by the faculty and staff respectively as their representative. The existing law is ambiguous and has resulted in less democratic methods of faculty selection. For example, at the University of Virginia, the BOV recently asked the Faculty Senate to “elect” a slate from which the BOV would choose, not the faculty. HB 1476 clarifies the selection process. It is a needed change to the law to ensure the faculty (and staff) elect their representatives to serve on the BOV. While faculty and staff representatives are non-voting members, they play a critical role in informing the university community of the agenda of the BOV, as well as any upcoming actions or issues of concern arising from BOV meetings. It is essential that the representatives on the BOV are chosen by faculty and staff to ensure accountability and transparency. Thank you for your consideration. Bethany Letiecq, PhD

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 1467 (HB 1467), which aims to expand the membership of the board of visitors (BOV) of baccalaureate public institutions in the Commonwealth. The bill mandates the inclusion of two nonvoting advisory members on the BOV - one faculty member and one staff member, selected by the faculty and staff, respectively. The current law's ambiguity regarding the selection process for faculty representatives at BOV meetings is a significant issue. The vague language allows for interpretation, as demonstrated by the recent incident at the University of Virginia, where the BOV requested the Faculty Senate to "elect" a slate of names. HB 1467 addresses this loophole by clearly stating that the BOV will include a faculty member elected by the faculty senate and a staff representative chosen by the staff of the institution. The Faculty Senate of Virginia (FSVA)'s past discussions on this matter, including the motion passed during Fall 2022, emphasize the importance of upholding the traditionally accepted practice that faculty representatives to BOVs should be elected by the faculty. HB 1467 aligns with this principle, ensuring a more democratic and representative process for the selection of advisory members. By supporting HB 1467, we advocate for transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the governance of baccalaureate public institutions. Let us continue to uphold our commitment to democratic practices within our academic institutions.

This comment is in support of HB1467. The member representing the faculty at the board of visitors of the higher education institutions should be solely selected by the faculty they represent. Also the university staff should have a representative at the board of visitors.

Dear Members of the House Education Committee, I am writing to urge you to support Del. Laufer's Bill HB1467. This bill provides improved representative processes within our public universities by mandating the appointment of a faculty and staff representative to our Boards of Visitors. This Bill will bring consistency across all public university BOVs in the Commonwealth. Currently we have no staff representation and thus that voice in the shared collaborative governance of our universities is lacking. This will increase the efficacy of our BOVs by bringing voices of key constituents to the table as non-voting members. Secondly, the Bill establishes clear mechanisms for selecting those representatives in a democratic manner by calling for either 1) an election of one majority elected name or 2) the elevation of a current faculty senate or staff senate officer to the position (as they are technically elected by their constituents). The Bill ensures that the BOVs will not become an echo chamber by providing for independently elected representatives from the faculty and staff. Faculty and staff deserve an independent and representative voice on our Boards to improve communication and effective input. Imagine if in your election there were three names provided on the ballot and the Governor selected one of those names regardless of the majority vote. Currently there is no consistency in the manner in which faculty representatives are selected by BOVs. While most BOVs MAY allow for a faculty representative, (usually one of the officers of the faculty senate or by election), how they do that varies with some BOVs obtaining multiple names and then deciding on behalf of the constituents. This Bill will provide a uniform, consistent and democratic approach to providing effective representation of non-voting members. It will clarify ambiguous language in the current statute governing this matter. Staff members are important constituents in a system of shared and collaborative university governance. BOVs will benefit from having an independently selected staff member advising them on matters of university governance. So, it is also important that staff be able to elect their representative. This may seem like a small matter of bureaucracy but it is indicative of larger issues in our democracy and the effective governance of our public universities. Thank you for considering this request, Walt Heinecke, Ph.D. Charlottesville, VA Here I am speaking as an individual citizen of the Commonwealth and not on behalf of the University that employs me. While I am President of the UVa Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, I speak on my own behalf.

Please expand Board of Visitors throughout our state to make them representative of all stakeholders at our higher education institutions. When we have a non-voting faculty member and non-voting staff member on the BOV, selected by the faculty and staff respectively as their representative, we have assurance of shared dialogue and responsibility. We appreciate the strengths that are already at the table and wish to expand it for continued productive exchanges.

As a faculty member at the University of Virginia, as well as a member of its Faculty Senate, and as a member of the Faculty Senate of Virginia, I support this bill. This is about democratic representation: faculty members should be able choose who represents us on Boards of Visitors. Currently at UVA we can merely provide a slate of candidates from which the BOV chooses. At a University that prizes democracy, this process undermines it. The original legislation was badly worded and thereby allows BOVs to make decisions that should not be in their hands. This bill fixes that language and allows faculty to be more effective voices on boards as there should be no question but that the representative is truly the choice of the faculty. University boards make crucial decision for their institutions. Faculty need to be at the table. There should be no ambiguity or question about who that faculty representative is speaking for. This bill fixes a significant problem.

Faculty representation on BOVs is important. BOVs should have a non-voting faculty member and non-voting staff member on the BOV, selected by the faculty and staff respectively as their representative. I support HB1467.

I want to provide written comment to support HB 1467. This bill allows staff and faculty to be represented through non-voting members on the BOV, via members they elect either directly or through their elected representatives on the Faculty Senate. This is reflective of true representation of the voices of major university stakeholders and should move forward. Thank you

The institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia have historically served our citizens well due to taking into account the needs of our populace. At our colleges and universities, no one maintains as close a relationship to our students as our faculty members. For this reason, it is essential that faculties are represented by persons of their own choosing on our Boards of Visitors, which are responsible for the governance of those colleges, so as to present the educational needs of the students and the communities they represent.

Thank you for sponsoring HB 1467. I am writing to express my support. We of course appreciate the role of BOVs and the service they provide. However, as the primary groups on the front lines with our students, it is crucial that the voice of the faculty and staff of our state institutions of higher learning are also heard when important decisions are being deliberated. Gena Britt, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Brightpoint Community College

Dear Delegates, I am writing to support HB1467 to expand membership of board of visitors. I am a professor of chemistry at Virginia Tech and have been at the University for nearly 37 years. I have seen quite a lot over that time. I am the current faculty representative to the Virginia Tech BOV selected by the faculty to be our Faculty Senate President and representative to the BOV. It is not only important, but critical for the BOV rep be selected by the faculty and the same goes for staff representatives. In order for these members to truly represent the faculty or staff, they must be chosen by their constituents. Any process that involves the board interviewing and choosing from a slate of candidates has the potential problem of a perception that erodes the trust that that representative will truly represent the faculty. Again, this has the problem of being a perception that erodes the effectiveness of that representative. The wording in this bill is actually the process followed by Virginia Tech and it works exceedingly well. I daresay that the VT BOV members have been quite pleased with the contributions of the faculty representative over many years. I am not able to speak before the committee, so I appreciate you reading my comments. Should the committee wish to reach out to me for any further information, I would be delighted. My email address is jmerola@vt.edu and my phone number is 540-231-4510. This is my office number but it will also ring on my cell phone if I am away from the office. Respectfully submitted, Joseph S Merola Professor of Chemistry Faculty Senate President Faculty Senate Representative to the BOV of Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Please support HB 1467. As Boards of Visitors make decisions about the direction of higher education in the commonwealth, those decisions must be informed by those taking on the actual labor of a college or university. Faculty and staff need to be a part of BoV discussions to advocate for their coworkers and, most importantly, our students. The most key component of this legislation is the way it allows faculty and staff to elect their own representatives to the BoV, a critical step toward democratic governance. If institutions of higher education are going to address the social and technological challenges headed their way, those serving actual student populations need to be as close to decision making processes as possible.

I support HB 1467. Faculty Senates should be the ones selecting their representatives. I also appreciate that staff are being included in this bill.

The Faculty Senate of Virginia is in support of HB 1467. Virginia Code currently states that BOVs “may” appoint one or more advisory faculty representatives to the BOV, and that “such representatives shall be chosen from individuals elected by the faculty or the institution’s faculty senate or its equivalent". The current bill poses a problem as it relates to faculty representation to the Board of Visitors meetings. The FSVA strongly believes that Faculty Senates/Councils (or equivalent) should be responsible for selecting the person who will represent them at the BOV meetings. Hence, The FSVA supports HB 1467. This bill ensures that BOVs have a faculty member and staff member (both non-voting members) on the BOV. The bill will also ensure that faculty and staff are selecting their representatives. The Faculty Senate of Virginia (FSVA) is the non-partisan membership organization representing the campus faculty senates of the fifteen public four-year institutions and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The FSVA acts in an advisory and resource capacity in matters of higher education. We participate in formulating policies on academic, education, and administrative concerns affecting faculty.

Closing an ambiguous loophole and mandating an elected representative of the Faculty Senate and a staff representative is a good step toward ensuring proper representation.

As the faculty representative to the VCU Board of Visitors, I fully support the proposed legislation that would mandate that BOVs have a non-voting faculty member and non-voting staff member on the BOV, selected by the faculty and staff respectively as their representative. Allowing faculty and staff to serve as non-voting members of the BOV is critically important to shared governance and having transparency in higher education. In addition, allowing the faculty and staff to choose their representative allows faculty and staff to have an important voice in what happens at their universities/colleges which would, in turn, increase their engagement in the issues that are happening at their universities/colleges.

Please pass HB1467. After 20 years at a public university in VA, I am horrified at how little the board understands about the university or the work of the faculty. Requiring a member from the faculty and staff will help boards better serve our public universities and our students.