Regrounding Virginia in Nonpartisan Governance Principles

In many states across the country, and perhaps most visibly in my home state of Virginia, the past several years have demonstrated the damage that can occur when partisan priorities hijack foundational principles of good governance. As higher education institutions face unprecedented pressures, governing boards must serve as stabilizing forces committed to mission stewardship and accountability, not as extensions of transient political agendas. The recent dysfunction in Virginia serves as a wake-up call, as well as a pivotal opportunity to recommit to nonpartisan, principles-driven trusteeship that strengthens institutional autonomy and public trust.

Principles such as fiduciary duty, independence of judgment, informed decision-making, and loyalty to the institution’s mission enable trustees to navigate complexity with clarity. These principles comprise nonpartisan governance and are the core of effective board leadership. When boards remain grounded in these proven and timeless principles, institutions can innovate, attract and retain strong leadership, protect academic freedom, and deliver high-quality education to students. On the flip side, when these principles are cast aside in favor of governmental overreach and the politicization of the board room, the consequences are deeply damaging.

A Breakdown of Governance in the Commonwealth

Events in Virginia demonstrate how quickly governance can become destabilized as a result of political interference. A 2023 opinion issued by Attorney General Jason Miyares asserted that trustees owe primary allegiance to the Commonwealth rather than the institutions they serve. This opinion, followed by aggressive efforts from the state administration to influence board decision-making, together “upended decades of precedent,” as AGB noted in a recent letter to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, and encouraged board actions aligned with ideological rather than fiduciary priorities.

Political interference in Virginia’s public university boards has driven out key leaders at the University of Virginia and Virginia Military Institute, placed George Mason University’s president under political scrutiny, and triggered partisan battles in the General Assembly over trustee appointments, putting boards at risk of being unable to achieve a quorum and leaving institutions without stable direction. This environment destabilizes campuses; demoralizes students, faculty, and staff; and makes it increasingly difficult to recruit or retain presidents, senior leaders, and faculty. If governance is allowed to become more politicized, institutional progress will stall, donor confidence will erode, and families will grow wary of sending students to universities perceived as driven by ideology rather than educational excellence.

Returning to the Fundamentals: AGB’s Recommendations

Recognizing both the urgency and the opportunity, AGB has offered Governor-elect Spanberger a set of nonpartisan, principles-based policy recommendations designed to restore stability and strengthen governance across the Commonwealth. These recommendations emphasize what effective trusteeship has always required: independence, preparation, clarity of role, and commitment to mission.

1. Reform trustee selection and vetting. AGB urges the Commonwealth to reestablish a selection process rooted in fiduciary and civic qualifications, not political alignment. Clear articulation of trustee expectations during the appointment process is essential to ensuring that those who serve are prepared to uphold their responsibilities.

2. Strengthen required training and professional development. Trustee education must reinforce institutional autonomy, academic freedom, and the limits of appropriate board involvement. Training should be delivered by nonpolitical organizations grounded in proven governance practice.

3. Implement certification of trustee commitment. Requiring trustees to affirm their support for institutional mission, values, and AGB Principles of Trusteeship adds an accountability mechanism for consistent, mission-aligned governance across institutions.

4. Reducing unilateral political influence in appointments. By involving the General Assembly more formally in the nomination process, the Commonwealth can mitigate swings in governance caused by changes in administration and reduce the risk of future politicization.

AGB’s recommendations are not partisan or ideological. They are grounded in more than a century of governance experience across thousands of institutions. Most importantly, they are designed to elevate trusteeship above political cycles and return Virginia institutions to a place of stability and excellence.

A Path Forward for Virginia and a Model for the Nation

Virginia has a proud history of strong, independent higher education governance. AGB has partnered with the Commonwealth before, most notably under Governor Warner’s administration, to improve board appointments and strengthen training that reinforced fiduciary expectations. The Commonwealth’s current challenges echo previous eras when political forces threatened to overtake governance norms. Once again, the path forward lies in reaffirming foundational principles.

Governor-elect Spanberger has the opportunity to set a new statewide standard: one that protects institutional autonomy, restores public trust, and returns Virginia to the forefront of governance excellence. By embracing nonpartisan principles, implementing AGB’s recommendations, and recommitting to the core duties of trusteeship, Virginia can rebuild a governance environment that attracts world-class leadership, ensures the long-term vitality of its higher education system, and provides a model for other states facing similar challenges to the core principles of board governance.

Ross A. Mugler, president and CEO of AGB.