Governor Mark Warner announced appointments to Virginia's higher education oversight boards and various college and university boards of visitors, including those of Virginia Tech and James Madison, which both met with controversy this year, on Friday.
The Governors Advisory Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments makes decisions on nominees based on "merit, experience, sound judgment and proven leadership," according to a press release.
Warner expressed approval of the Commission's recommendations.
"The outstanding men and women I am appointing today have demonstrated a commitment to work for the best interests of higher education in the Commonwealth," said Warner in a press release. "These individuals share my commitment to ensuring a system of quality higher education is available to all Virginians," he said.
There were some notable omissions in the reappointments, including William Latham, of Haymarket, to Virginia Tech's Board. Latham's term as Vice Rector of Virginia Tech was a bumpy one, which included a high profile turn around this spring on affirmative action policies and a controversial decision to limit the assembly rights of student groups.
Yesterday, Latham defended the actions of the board.
"Most of us were as positive as a group can be at encouraging diversity," Latham said.
Virginia Tech's admissions policies, while intended to increase diversity, were unlawful, Latham said.
The decision to alter the university's affirmative action policy came after State Attorney General Jerry Kilgore warned board members that they could face personal legal consequences for the current policies.
"It had nothing to do with affirmative action.It had only to do with gender and race neutralism.The decision was made to conform to federal and state law," he said.
Ultimately, Latham said, Board members were unwilling to expose themselves to potential legal action.
"It was a pragmatic rather than purely political position," he said.
Jim Severt, of Martinsville, will serve on the Virginia Tech board. Severt worked on Charlottesville Democrat Meredith Richards' campaign for congress last fall.Mark Bowles, son of former Goochland Democratic Chairwoman Nancy Bowles, will join four other new appointees on the James Madison University board, which attracted national press coverage last spring after voting to prohibit JMU's student health clinic from distributing emergency contraception.
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