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Section III: Comprehensive Standard

3.2.4 The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence. (Governing Board: External Influence)

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JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

 √ Compliance             Partial compliance          Non-compliance

NARRATIVE

The Commonwealth of Virginia has established a process to recommend board appointees who are free from undue influence from external bodies and who will protect the institutions from such influence. In 2002, then Governor Mark Warner established by Executive Order The Virginia Commission on Higher Education Appointments, “To achieve our goal of having one of the best systems of higher education in the world, it is vitally important that members of higher education governing boards are selected based on merit, experience, sound judgment, and proven leadership.” The Commission was made permanent in 2005 by the Senate Bill No. 1119 in amending the Code of Virginia 2.2-2518 through 2.2-2522. According to Governor Tim Kaine’s press release, the purpose of the Commission is, “to review and evaluate potential appointees to the governing bodies of Virginia’s public institutions of higher education, the Virginia Community College Board, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and to make recommendations to the Governor.” The Commission has seven members, five non-legislative citizen members and two ex-officio, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of the Commonwealth, currently Dr. Thomas K. Morris and Ms. Katherine K. Hanley, respectively. The members, who are appointed by the Governor, must include former public institution board of visitors members and administrators.

The governing board for Richard Bland College is the Board of Visitors of The College of William and Mary. The seventeen members are appointed by the Governor and approved by the General Assembly to serve terms of four years. Appointments are staggered and the members are limited to two consecutive terms, the second term appointment being at the discretion of the governor in office at the time of the reappointment. Since Virginia governors are elected to serve one four-year term, no governor is likely to fully appoint the Board of Visitors. The Board of Visitor Bylaws protect Richard Bland College from undue influence in that business can only be transacted by a majority of the board membership and all resolutions must be mailed to the members at least six days prior to the meeting. For these reasons, it is unlikely that any board member could exert undue influence on the entire board.

The Commonwealth of Virginia also has a conflict of interest law (Code of Virginia, 2.2-3100 and 2.2-3114) pertaining to members of college boards. It prohibits unethical conduct including the acceptance of money, favors, or service that might tend to influence the discharge of duties.

All board members must annually file the “Financial Disclosure Form” (Code of Virginia, 2.2-3118) to verify that there are no familial, business, or financial conflicts with the institution. This form is filed and becomes a public document with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This is an additional protection from undue influence by external bodies.

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SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION

Page updated February 8, 2008  | Questions or comments? Email sacsparc@rbc.edu

© 2005, Richard Bland College
Petersburg, Virginia