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Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Changes to Academic Freedom, Governing Boards

Virginia lawmakers are poised to pass a bill that limits political interference and protects First Amendment rights at the state’s public colleges. The legislation bars governing boards from censoring speech, mandates shared‑governance policies, and expands the Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments to include more private citizens, faculty, and former leaders. The Senate and House versions differ on the frequency of faculty input and appointment rules, and legislators are negotiating a unified text. The effort follows recent disputes over board appointments and a federal court injunction against former Governor Youngkin’s unilateral selections.