Virginia board's actions draw criticism

Academe, May/Jun 2003

Virginia Board's Actions Draw Criticism

In March the board of visitors of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University made three surprise decisions that drew criticism from the state's governor, faculty, students, the AAUP, and others. The decisions, which restricted free speech on campus, overturned affirmative action policies, and eliminated protections for gays and lesbians, were reached without faculty consultation and with little public discussion.

One of the controversial policies stated that "no person, persons, or organizations will be allowed to meet on campus or in any facility owned or leased by the university, if it can be determined that persons or organizations advocate or have participated in illegal acts of domestic violence or terrorism." The board quickly abandoned this policy after Virginia's attorney general determined that it was unconstitutional, and the AAUP advised the administration that a policy restricting speech on the basis of advocacy of ideas was inimical to the exercise of academic freedom.

Shortly thereafter, public pressure led the board of visitors to rescind the two other new policies. The first prohibited university officials from considering race or gender in admissions and hiring decisions, and the second revised the university's policy on nondiscrimination so that it would no longer ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Commenting on the board's unilateral actions in these matters, AAUP associate secretary Jonathan Knight says, "We are struck by the fact that the faculty of Virginia Tech apparently had no role in the decisions that led to these actions, which bear directly on the faculty's responsibility relating to teaching, learning, and research."