Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill to give faculty and staff a voice on university governing boards, and its fate now rests with the governor.

House Bill 1621 (HB1621) requires that public higher education governing boards, including the State Board for Community Colleges, boards of visitors for four-year universities, and local community college boards, appoint nonvoting faculty and staff representatives to serve as advisory members. 

While many institutions already include nonvoting faculty representatives, George Mason and Longwood are currently the only universities with nonvoting staff representatives on their governing boards. Proponents of HB1621 contend that expanding the representative model statewide would improve hiring, retention, and morale by bringing faculty and staff expertise to board discussions.

Employees at each institution will elect their representatives through a process they find fair and appropriate, with any vacancies filled in the same manner. These representatives will share their perspectives and concerns with the board, and while they won’t have the decision-making power of voting board members, their presence ensures faculty and staff voices are considered in key institutional discussions.

The bill passed the House by a narrow 51-49 vote before moving to the Senate, where it was approved along party lines; however, the bill’s future remains uncertain. Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a similar proposal last year, citing increased costs and reduced oversight, while a 2023 bill focused on the University of Virginia’s board was blocked in a subcommittee. 

Last month, Del. Amy Laufer (D-Albemarle), who introduced HB1621, rejected a House substitute that would have allowed boards to appoint faculty and staff representatives instead of letting employees elect them. 

Laufer said in a statement, “I just believe that people [who] are working with our students can add a valuable perspective on these boards.”