About

The Board of Visitors of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public corporation that serves as the governing authority for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The corporation is under the control of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Section 1. Composition

The Board of Visitors is composed of fourteen members, thirteen of whom are appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. The fourteenth member is the President of the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who serves ex officio. All fourteen members have full voting privileges. Three members of the Board may reside outside of Virginia; at least six of the thirteen appointed members are required to be alumni or alumnae of the University.

The term of office for a visitor is four years, and the visitor is eligible to be reappointed for a successive four years. An individual appointed to fill an unexpired term which has become vacant is eligible for appointment to two additional four-year terms.

The term of the ex officio member of the Board of Visitors runs concurrently with his/her term as President of the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is typically from July 1 through June 30.

For each vacancy on the Board, the Alumni Association of the University may submit, for the consideration of the Governor, the names of three qualified persons. The Governor, however, is not limited to the persons on such a list when making an appointment (§23.1-2601, Code of Virginia, as amended).

Prior to appointment, the Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments may review potential Board appointees and make recommendations about the appointees to the Governor (§2.2-2518, Code of Virginia, as amended).

Section 2. Constituent Representatives

Representatives to the Board are appointed from the Undergraduate student body and the Graduate/Professional student body as non-voting, advisory representatives, pursuant to statutory authority (§23.1-1300, Code of Virginia, as amended). The term of appointment is for one year commencing July 1. Such representatives shall be welcomed at all open meetings of the Board and may be appointed to standing or special committees of the Board.

The President of the Faculty Senate (§23.1-1300, Code of Virginia, as amended), President of the Administrative and Professional Faculty Senate, and President of the Staff Senate shall also be welcomed to sit with the Board in open session and participate in discussion, without authority to vote or make or second motions. Similarly, these representatives shall also be welcomed to attend meetings of the Board's committees in open session and to provide information and advice as deemed appropriate by the chair of that committee, without authority to vote or to make or second motions. [BOV resolutions approved January 18, 1988; August 28, 2006; and November 8, 2021.]

By statute, the Board must solicit the input of representatives of the Faculty Senate or its equivalent at least twice per academic year on topics of general interest to the faculty, and in advance of decisions to be made on the search for the university’s new President (§23.1-1303).

Section 3. Meetings

By statute the Board must meet at Blacksburg, Virginia, once a year (§23.1-2602). It traditionally holds four meetings a year. The last meeting of the academic year will be designated the annual organizational meeting; this is the meeting at which officers of the Board will be elected. Meetings of the Board are called by the Rector of the Board; however, a special meeting may be called by the Governor, the Rector or any three members of the Board. Regardless of how called, all members must be notified of meetings (§23.1-2602). Moreover, by statute, the Board must notify and invite the Attorney General's appointee or representative to all meetings of the board and its committees (§23.1-1303).

A majority of the voting membership of the Board and also of each of its committees constitutes a quorum (§23.1-2602). If the Rector is present at a committee meeting, he/she will be counted as a member of the committee for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. The Board or any of its committees may meet without a quorum present, but may not vote on any items.

The Board shall be transparent in all of its actions to the extent required by the law. All meetings of the Board, formal or informal, are subject to the requirements of the state's Freedom of Information (FOI) statutes and are open to the public. Discussions and actions on any topic other than those specifically exempted by law must be held in open session. Public notice is required of meetings. Any official action taken in closed session must be approved in open session before it can have any force or effect. Open meetings must have minutes taken; copies of these minutes are posted to the Board’s website and available to the public (§23.1-1303). By statute, the Board must abide by standards developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) for providing the public with real-time electronic access to witness open meetings of the governing boards. Currently, SCHEV standards require video or audio livestreaming of regularly-scheduled meetings of the full governing board, with exceptions for a meeting, tour, or gathering that takes place outside of the usual location of the board meeting provided that the reason for the exception is noted in the public notice of the meeting and in the meeting minutes. Livestreaming of the Board’s committees or subcommittees is not required.

Closed sessions may be held for specific matters. These matters are enumerated in the Code of Virginia, as amended. In order to assemble in closed session, the Board must approve a specific motion which cites each item to be considered in closed session, with appropriate reference to the exemption in the FOI statutes. Discussion in closed session is restricted to the items so identified.

Section 3a. Electronic Meetings

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, the Board and any of its committees separately may conduct all-virtual public meetings in which all who participate do so remotely, provided that the electronic communication means by which members of the public may witness the meeting is disclosed in the public notice of the meeting. Members of the public must be provided electronic communication means through which to observe or listen to the meeting. Any interruption in the means of electronic communication shall result in a suspension of action at the meeting until repairs are made and public access is restored. The board or its committee may not convene an all-virtual meeting (a) more than two times per calendar year or 25 percent of the meetings held per calendar year rounded up to the next whole number, whichever is greater, or (b) consecutively with an all-virtual meeting.

Additionally, providing that a quorum is physically present in one location, an individual Board member may participate remotely in a Board or committee meeting by some electronic communication means if on or before the day of a meeting, the Board member notifies the Rector or respective committee chair and Board Secretary that the Board member is unable to attend the meeting due to (a) a Board member’s own disability or medical condition or the Board member’s need to care for a family member due to the family member’s medical condition, (b) the Board member’s principal residence being located more than 60 miles from the meeting location, or (c) a personal matter. The Board member’s location need not be open to the public. The minutes must include the remote location of the Board member and the reason that the Board member was unable to attend; if the reason is a personal matter, the specific nature of the personal matter must be cited in the minutes. If a Board member’s request to participate remotely due to a personal matter is disapproved, such disapproval shall be recorded in the minutes with specificity. A Board member may participate remotely due to a personal matter in up to two meetings per calendar year or 25 percent of the meetings held per calendar year rounded up to the next whole number, whichever is greater. These provisions regarding remote participation of individual board members apply to meetings of the full board and to each of its committees separately.

An ”all-virtual meeting” is a meeting conducted by electronic means during which all members who participate do so remotely rather than being assembled in one physical location and to which public access is provided through electronic communication means.

“Remote participation” is participation by an individual Board member via electronic means in a meeting where a quorum of the public body is otherwise physically assembled. (§2.2-3708.2 and .3, Code of Virginia, as amended).

Section 4. Officers

The Board elects annually from among its members a Rector to preside at meetings and a Vice Rector to serve as President pro tempore in the absence of the Rector. By statute (§23.1-1300 Code of Virginia, as amended), either the Rector or the Vice Rector must be a Virginia resident. The Vice President for Policy and Governance serves as Secretary to the Board and as a resource on questions of parliamentary procedure unless the Board votes to elect a separate Secretary. The University Legal Counsel serves as the counsel to the Board.

The Rector and Vice Rector may serve a maximum of two one-year terms. The terms of the Rector and Vice Rector take effect July 1. The Vice Rector will also serve as the chair of one of the standing committees.

Section 5. Responsibilities of the Board

As public trustees, the members of the Board have the overall responsibility and authority, subject to constitutional and statutory limitations, for the continuing operation and development of the institution as a state land-grant university, and for the evolving policies within which it must function. Much of this authority necessarily is delegated to the President, who serves as agent of the Board and chief executive officer of the University.

The most important responsibility of the Board is the trustee obligation to insure that the University's educational and research programs effectively meet the evolving needs of Virginia's citizens to the fullest extent possible within the statutory mission of the institution. Similarly in a national context, the Board's oversight responsibilities extend to federally mandated programs. The formulation of the basic policies under which every aspect of the University's operations are carried out, as well as the implementation of those policies, consequently are subject to the Board's review, possible modification, and ultimate approval. However it is at the policy level, rather than the operational level, that the Board's responsibilities are paramount.

By statute, the Board is charged with the care, preservation, and improvement of university property and with the protection and safety of students and other persons residing on such property. The Board also is charged with regulating the government and discipline of students and, in respect to the government of the University, may make such regulations as the Board deems expedient, not contrary to law. The Board has authority over the roads and highways within the University campus and may prohibit entrance to the property of undesirable and disorderly persons or eject such persons from the property (§23.1-2603), Code of Virginia, as amended).

Following are examples of the responsibilities of the Board, as set forth in state statutes or as developed through tradition and practice (see §23.1-1303). The list, however, is not necessarily inclusive.

1. Appointment of the President of the University.
2. Approve appointments and fix salaries of the faculty, university staff, and other personnel.1
3. Establish fees, tuition, and other charges imposed by the University on students (see Section 5b).
4. Review and approval of the University's budgets and overview of its financial management.
5. Review and approval of proposed academic degree programs and the general overview of the academic programs of the University.
6. Review and approval of the establishment of new colleges or departments.
7. Ratification of appointments by the President or vice presidents that meet the salary threshold set by the Board.
8. Representation of the University to citizens and officers of the Commonwealth of Virginia, especially in clarifying the purpose and mission of the University.
9. Approval of promotions, grants of tenure, and employment of individuals.2
10. Review and approval of physical plant development of the campus.
11. The naming of buildings and other major facilities on campus.
12. Review and approval of grants of rights-of-way and easement on University property.
13. Review and approval of real property transactions.
14. Exercise of the power of eminent domain.
15. Review and approval of personnel policies for the faculty and university staff.
16. Subject to management agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia Tech, the Board has full responsibility for management of Virginia Tech. (§23.1-1000, Code of Virginia, as amended).

1,2 In practice the President and officers of the University make interim appointments which are ratified by the Board.

Section 5a. Resolutions

In order to permit mature consideration and to facilitate preparation of agendas and dissemination to all members of the Board, all proposed resolutions of the Board of Visitors shall be presented to the Secretary to the Board at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which they are proposed to be considered, with mailing or electronic access provided to the members and constituent representatives to occur ten (10) or more days prior to the meeting. Any amendments or additions to or deletions from the agenda must be presented to the Board Secretary in sufficient time to enable the changes to be distributed to the Board members and constituent representatives at least three (3) working days prior to the meeting. An emergency may be declared by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present at the meeting to permit consideration of a proposal not adhering to this time requirement. Except in emergency situations, all action items and resolutions should come to the full Board from one of its standing or special committees or from the President of the University.

Section 5b. Resolutions for Tuition and Fees

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5a, when an increase to undergraduate tuition and/or mandatory fees is contemplated, the proposal shall be provided to the Board Secretary in sufficient time to enable notice of the projected range of the planned increase and an explanation of the need for the increase to be provided to students and the public at least 30 days prior to voting on the resolution. The proposal will be shared with Board members concurrently with notification to the students and public. (§23.1-307(D), Code of Virginia, as amended)

Additionally, the Board will permit public comment on the proposed increase at a meeting (as defined in §2.2-3701, Code of Virginia, as amended) of the Board. The Governance and Administration Committee or other appropriate committee of the Board will develop guidelines for such public comment to include reasonable time limitations and the manner in which such comment will be shared with the Board. (§23.1-307(E), Code of Virginia, as amended)

Section 5c. Board Website

By statute, the Board is required to maintain a public website that includes a listing of all Board members with their date of appointment and the name of the Governor who appointed each, a listing of all Board committees and their membership, a schedule of all upcoming meetings of the Board and its committees along with instructions for public access, an archive of agendas and supporting materials of all Board and committee meetings, and an email address or email addresses through which Board members can receive public communications pertaining to Board business (§23.1-1303).

Section 6. Committees

The Board may organize itself into committees to facilitate its work. Committees are required to report to the full Board at least once a year (§23.1-2602, Code of Virginia, as amended). The Rector appoints the members and chairmen of the Standing and Special Committees. The Vice Rector will serve as the chair of one of the standing committees. At the option of the Rector, chairs are limited to three (3) years.

The chairman of a committee is responsible to see that minutes are taken of the meetings of the committee. The President makes available appropriate persons who may be of assistance in the deliberations of a committee. The Rector is an ex officio member of all standing and special committees. All committee members will be members of the Board; committees, however, may form advisory committees which include non-Board members. Chairs may request advisors or other consultants to meet with their committees.

Any committee may adopt a formal written charter that specifies the committee's responsibilities and practices. Charters must be approved by the Governance and Administration Committee before adoption.

Committee meetings are subject to the same requirements of the state's Freedom of Information statutes as are meetings of the full Board.

Section 6a. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the Board, established by statute (§ 23.1-2602, Code of Virginia, as amended), consists of not less than three or not more than six members. The Executive Committee includes the Rector, Vice-Rector, and the chairs of the standing committees: Academic, Research, and Student Affairs Committee; Buildings and Grounds Committee; Compliance Audit, and Risk Committee; Finance and Resource Management Committee; and Governance and Administration Committee.

[Note: The Vice Rector serves as chair of one of the standing committees – See Sections 4 and 6.] At the request of the Rector or a quorum of the Executive Committee, the immediate Past Rector will be available to serve as a non-voting advisor to the Executive Committee. The immediate Past Rector is not counted as a member of the Executive Committee for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. The Executive Committee convenes on the call of the Rector or on the call of any two members. This Committee, in the interim between meetings of the Board, has full power to take actions on behalf of the Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee must be ratified by the full Board at its next meeting in order to remain in effect.

The Executive Committee is charged by statute with organizing the working processes of the Board and recommending best practices for Board governance. Specifically, the Executive Committee shall:

1. Develop and recommend to the Board a statement of governance setting out the Board's role;
2. Periodically review the Board's bylaws and recommend amendments;3
3. Provide advice to the Board on committee structure, appointments, and meetings;3
4. Develop an orientation and continuing education process for visitors that includes training on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act;3
5. Create, monitor, oversee, and review compliance with a code of ethics for Board members; and
6. Develop a set of qualifications and competencies for membership on the Board for approval by the Board and recommendation to the Governor. (§23.1-1306, Code of Virginia, as amended)

3These duties of the Executive Committee are delegated to the Governance and Administration Committee.

Section 6b. Academic, Research, and Student Affairs Committee

This committee is responsible for matters and policies pertaining to the academic affairs, student life and conduct, and the research mission and goals of the university.

Section 6c. Buildings and Grounds Committee

This committee is responsible for the maintenance and development of the physical plant and infrastructure, land use and planning, and review and development of capital outlay requests. The university employee designated as the University Building Official when serving in that capacity reports directly to the Board of Visitors through this committee.

Section 6d. Compliance, Audit, and Risk Committee

This committee is responsible for oversight of enterprise risk management, adherence to the audit charter, reviewing audits conducted by Internal Audit and external bodies, and providing guidance on auditing concerns to the full Board. This committee is also responsible for oversight of university compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and executive orders; and policies promulgated by academic and athletic accrediting bodies, regulatory agencies, funding agencies, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. This committee conducts an annual review of the Audit Charter.

Section 6e. Finance and Resource Management Committee

This committee is responsible for oversight of all fiscal resources, revenues, and expenditures of the university. This committee is charged with reviewing and evaluating budgets, expenditures, financial performance, and funding sources, and with providing guidance on financial issues to the full Board. This committee is also responsible for reviewing changes to the Commemorative Tributes Policy and requests for commemorative recognition.

Section 6f. Governance and Administration Committee

This committee is responsible for Board engagement, the Board’s protocols, bylaws, and periodic self-evaluation. This committee is also responsible for oversight of campus safety and security and of various administrative functions and non-academic areas of the university, including but not limited to human resources, communications and marketing, administrative computing, and athletics.

In addition, this committee is responsible for reviewing new or revised charters of all committees prior to their adoption (refer to Section 6).

Section 6g. Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee, traditionally composed of three members, is appointed by the Rector and is responsible for reporting at the annual organizational meeting of the Board its nominations for all officers of the Board. The Rector will invite any additional nominations from the full Board before voting on nominations at the organizational meeting.

Section 7. Annual Reporting Requirement

The Board is required by statute to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor an annual executive summary of its interim activity and work no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. This executive summary shall also be posted for the public on the Board’s website (§23.1-1303). The secretary to the Board will be responsible for preparing the report and submitting and posting it in accordance with procedures stipulated by law.

Section 1. The President

The Board appoints a President to initiate proposed policies, to execute approved policies, and to administer the University. The President serves as the authorized officer through whom communication takes place between the Board and the faculty, the Board and the students, and the Board and the other officers of administration or instruction employed by the University. The Board, as the governing authority of the University, delegates to the President the authority to oversee and to administer the policies of the Board and to manage the administrative, instructional, research, and public service programs of the University.

By statute, the Board must meet with the President at least once annually in a closed meeting and deliver an evaluation of the President's performance. Any change to the President's employment contract shall be made only by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Board's members (§23.1-1303).

Section 2. Other Officers of the University

The President is assisted in the performance of the duties of that office by other officers of the University. Provost and vice-presidential appointments are made by the President and formally ratified by the Board.

Section 3. Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff of the University receive appointments by appropriate University officials, and their names, titles and salaries are submitted periodically for confirmation to the Board of Visitors. By statute, the Board may remove any faculty member of the University with the assent of two-thirds of the Board, subject to approved grievance procedures (§23.1-2605).

Section 1. Associations with Related Corporations

A number of corporations are intricately tied with the University by virtue of affiliation agreements that they have entered into with the University and that comply with the format for affiliation agreements that the Board of Visitors has approved. Each corporation has its own board. The boards of these corporations focus on areas of special interest to the University. A listing of these affiliated corporations and their affiliation agreements shall at all times be kept on file with the Secretary of the Board of Visitors.

Prior approval of the Board of Visitors is required before permission to establish or to charter any new related corporation is sought from the State Corporation Commission.

Corporations associated with the Board are requested to supply the following information and comply with these procedures:

1. Provide the Board of Visitors with a copy of the corporate constitution, bylaws, and certificates of incorporation.
2. Specify the services which the corporation provides to the University.
3. Obtain approval for services and space, subject to review from time to time. The Administration, acting for the Board, may make facilities available.
4. Provide the Board with a copy of its official annual audit and other documents relating to tax-exempt status.
5. Coordinate insurance programs for the Corporation, other than employee benefit insurance programs, through the University's insurance office and pay for its share of the premiums.

Section 1. Courses of Study

The curricula of the University, by statute, are to include instruction in agriculture and the mechanic arts without excluding other scientific and classical studies and military tactics (§23.1-2606). A full range of courses in the arts and sciences, agriculture, engineering, and other professional fields is offered in conformity with the institution's mission as a comprehensive state university.

Section 2. Changing Curricula

The Board delegates to the President the authority to develop appropriate courses of study. New degree offerings are subject to the approval of the Board and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Section 1. Extension Division

The Board has responsibility and authority for the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station Division which encompasses Cooperative Extension, continuing education programs, and such other subjects as designated by the President or the Board. This Division, authorized by statute to serve both adults and youths, is established to conduct educational programs and disseminate useful and practical information to the people of the State (§23.1-2608, Code of Virginia, as amended).

Section 1. Expenses

Board members may be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses and other expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties (§23.1-1307).

Section 2. Removal of Board Members

The members of the Board of Visitors are protected by Virginia law from being removed without appropriate reasons. If any Visitor fails to attend the meetings of the Board for one full year without sufficient cause and/or perform the duties of his office for one year without good cause as determined by a majority vote of the Board, the remaining members of the Board shall record such failure in the minutes at its next meeting and notify the Governor, and the office of such member shall be vacated. (§23.1-1300, Code of Virginia, as amended).

The Code of Virginia §23.1-1304 requires new board members to attend educational programs developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in his/her first two years of membership and to participate in further training on board governance as determined by SCHEV at least once every two years thereafter. If any Visitor fails to complete these educational requirements without sufficient cause, as determined by a majority vote of the Board, the remaining members of the Board shall record such failure in the minutes at its next meeting and notify the Governor, and the office of such member shall be vacated, and the member will be ineligible for reappointment. (§23.1-1300, Code of Virginia, as amended).

Dismissal of a Board member for cause will be pursued in accordance with Virginia Code §23.1-1300, as amended, which provides the process for removal of a Board member from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty. The Governor will issue a written public statement indicating his/her reasons for removing the member.

Section 3. Conflict of Interest

Each Board member is subject to the provisions of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act and must file reports as necessary. (§ 2.2-3114(B), Code of Virginia, as amended).

Section 4. Code of Ethics

The Board is required by statute to adopt a Code of Ethics. Each Board member is subject to the provisions of the code. The Executive Committee will review compliance and report to the Governor any instances of breach of ethical conduct pursuant to the terms of the Code of Ethics.

Section 5. Educational Requirement

Educational programs for boards of visitors are required by statute to be delivered annually by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). New board members must participate in programs offered at least once during their first two years on the board. In addition, each board member shall participate in further training as determined by SCHEV at least once every two years (§23.1-1304, Code of Virginia, as amended). (See Article VI, Section 2.) By July 1 of each year or upon request by SCHEV, the secretary of the Board shall report to SCHEV the activity of any Board member who has complied with the educational requirement during the prior year.

Section 6. Board Self-Evaluation

The Board periodically should conduct a formal evaluation of its committee structure, processes, procedures, and performance. Candid feedback should be sought from the Board members themselves, constituent representatives to the Board, the University President, and others as deemed appropriate by the Board, which may include the Board Secretary, Legal Counsel, and/or the administrators who serve as liaisons to the Board's committees. The Governance and Administration Committee is responsible for developing and recommending to the full Board the evaluation procedure to be employed, including whether to retain an external consultant to conduct the evaluation, and for developing a plan to address any issues identified by the evaluation.

Section 1. Construction

The Bylaws supplement the statutes of the Commonwealth as they relate to the University and are not intended to replace or amend them. Nothing contained in the Bylaws should be interpreted to diminish or alter the statutory powers of the Board.

Section 2. Changing Bylaws

These Bylaws, except where mandated by statute, may be changed by majority vote of the voting membership of the Board.