by Gordon C. Morse
Here’s the thing to sort out about Virginia’s colleges and universities: These schools achieved widespread acclaim on the basis of a rather specific, long-standing governing arrangement. Today most everyone looks upon Virginia higher education with pride and satisfaction. It works for us; it has for a long time.
So why have so many people, serving in state government, in both political parties, labored so hard to undermine it? That’s what we need to understand and, if possible, avoid further damage to a justly celebrated collection of state schools.
Let’s start with the good news: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s leadership potential is impossible to miss. She’s easy on her feet, laughs quickly and seems naturally adept at the political arts and sciences. She will enter the Virginia governor’s office on a wave of good will and with a clear opportunity to get things done.
Just last week, for instance, she gave confidence-inspiring public reassurances that she will not support legislation to force people to join unions. Good. The business community has enough on its hands with Democrats controlling all of state government and the next surge – starting just next month — of fix-the-world progressive legislation.
Spanberger says she will be a moderate, pragmatically-minded governor and that will be no snap to achieve. Her leadership will be challenged by members of her own party. Do this, do that, do it all, they will say.
One thing not to do: A quick and furious overhaul of higher education governance in Virginia.
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