House Approves Controversial Changes To University Governance

The House of Delegates approved a bill Monday that would modify the governance structure of the state’s two land-grant universities, West Virginia University and West Virginia State University.

Notably, House Bill 3279 would diminish the role of the student, faculty and staff members of each school’s board of governors and make them nonvoting members. Each board would also be required to have at least one representative from the agriculture or forestry industries.

Del. John Williams, a Monongalia County Democrat, called it micromanagement and something the schools didn’t ask for.

“I don’t know why we’re doing this,” he said. “I mean, before session even started, we had the executive order on DEI so universities need to do what the governor says there. We’ve created a new Washington School of Western Civilization. I mean, at some point, why don’t we just have a bill that we vote on every single thing that happens in our colleges?”

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, a Cabell County Democrat, noted that he was a student member of Marshall University’s board.

“I stand here today as a former representative at the Marshall Board of Governors as a student, and the things that I was able to learn and hone my skills and meet people that I never, ever would have otherwise, is part of the reason I’m probably here today,” he said.

Del. Vernon Criss, a Wood County Republican and the bill’s lead sponsor, explained to Del. Mike Pushkin, a Kanawha County Democrat, that other states had pursued similar changes, including Pennsylvania.

Pushkin wasn’t satisfied.

“I cannot for the life of me understand why we would want to silence the representatives of the students, faculty and staff,” he said. “We should vote this bill down. And, personally, I don’t want to take the lead, follow the lead of Pitt.”

Del. Larry Kump, a Berkeley County Republican, was the only member of the majority to announce his opposition before the vote.

“The part of the bill that disenfranchises the students, the faculty and staff persuades me to vote no,” he said.

The bill passed, 62-35, with all Democrats voting with many Republicans, though not a majority. It now goes to the Senate.