New ‘Western’ Civics Center At WVU Passes Legislature

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State lawmakers have paved the way for a new center at West Virginia University for civics education, which would focus on “classical western history and culture.”

On Saturday, members of the West Virginia House of Delegates convened for the final day of this year’s legislative session. They voted to approve changes set forth by the West Virginia Senate to House Bill 3297, which would require the state’s flagship university to open the Washington Center for Civics, Culture and Statesmanship.

Their proposal just needs the governor’s approval to take effect. The idea for the center is modeled after similar state-established civics centers at universities in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and more, according to Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, lead sponsor and House majority leader.

The bill passed the House on March 21. During floor arguments, proponents said the center would expand educational opportunities on campus, plus attract new faculty and students.

Opponents worried that requiring WVU to open a new center bypassed the university’s authority, and argued subject matter covered by the center already exists within other university departments.

At the time, Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, said he was also worried the bill did not allocate funding to the center, especially in light of the $45 million budget shortfall the university faced in 2023.

The version of the bill that has now passed the West Virginia Legislature still does not specify where funding for the center will come from.

During its review in the Senate, the bill underwent modifications affirming that the university will have oversight over the Washington Center, removing text that described the center as “independent.”

The center would be run by a director who is an “expert on the western tradition, the American founding and American constitutional thought,” according to the bill’s text.

The Senate adopted an amendment from Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, that would clarify that members of the state legislature cannot work at the center or serve as its director for up to two years after the end of their term at the State Capitol.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey now has 15 days to veto or sign off on House Bill 3297. If he does not act on the bill, it will become law by default.