Bills to reshape VMI board and create review task force spark alumni, lawmaker backlash

By Jaida Simone | ABC WSET-13 News

A growing debate over proposed legislation affecting the Virginia Military Institute is drawing sharp reactions from alumni and lawmakers.

One bill in the Virginia General Assembly would create a state task force to review VMI’s culture, governance, and officer-producing mission. The other would restructure the school’s Board of Visitors by capping alumni representation.

The advocacy group, Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services (STARRS), is urging federal officials to review the measures, arguing they could interfere with VMI’s role as a federally recognized senior military college operating under Title 10 authority.

“They are taking away and ignoring federal code when it comes to the guidance and governance of these schools,” Major General Bentley Rayburn, the board chairman of STARRS, said.

Supporters of the bills said the legislation is about accountability at a publicly funded, but state-run, institution.

“VMI has new leadership, and that leadership has said, ‘Yeah, we agree that some things need to change and we’re ready to work together to get that done.’ So, it’s the best of both worlds,” Del. Sam Rasoul said.

The bills still remain under consideration as debate continues in Richmond.

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