Statement of Governor Warner on Recent Actions by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors

Statement of Governor Warner on Recent Actions by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors

Governor Mark R. Warner issued the following statement today on the resolution adopted by the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech concerning admissions and hiring decisions.

"I am extremely concerned about the policies adopted earlier this week by Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors.

"I always have been firmly committed to principles of inclusiveness, equal opportunity and diversity, and that is reflected in the appointments I have made within my own administration. In fact, my administration may be the most diverse in modern Virginia history.

"The benefits of diversity and equal opportunity are especially important on the campuses of Virginia's colleges and universities.

"In addition, I am concerned that the Virginia Tech Board opted to make such a fundamental change in university admissions and employment policies without advance public notice or, in my view, adequate public discussion.

"Next month, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case challenging race-conscious admissions at the University of Michigan, and a decision can be expected sometime this summer.

"I see no reason why any Board member at any Virginia college or university should feel compelled to act on these issues until we receive more definitive guidance from the Supreme Court.

"I expect Virginia's Tech's Board to revisit this decision later this year, after the Court has issued a ruling. At that time, I also expect the Board to solicit comments from the university community, because these decisions are too important to be determined in isolation without public accountability."

Governor of Virginia - Mark R. Warner Copyright 2003