Spanberger Removes Virginia Tech Rector for Alleged Ethics Violations as She Moves To Reshape University’s Governing Body

Virginia’s Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, has removed the rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, John Rocovich, accusing him of violating the code of ethics in a move that has shocked fellow board members and state Republicans.Mr. Rocovich, 81, was serving his third year as rector — the chairman of Virginia Tech’s governing body — and had been presiding over the search for the school’s new president. He was appointed to the board by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2023, and previously served as rector from 2002 to 2004, which would have made him ineligible to serve again. But last year, the board voted to change its bylaws as no nominees stepped up to replace him. On Monday, Ms. Spanberger removed him from the Board of Visitors effective immediately.“Your conduct has violated the Code of Conduct for Commonwealth Appointees to the Boards, Authorities, & Commissions, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors’ Code of Ethics, and the governing statutes requiring board members to act in accordance with the best interests of Virginia Tech,” she said. “I find this sufficient cause for your removal from the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.”The letter did not elaborate on his alleged violations. His removal comes as Ms. Spanberger has been working to reshape the 13-person board, which is largely dominated by Republican appointees left over from Glenn Youngkin’s administration.Last month, Ms. Spanberger announced four new appointees to the board. While their terms on the board do not start until July 1, the governor said she made the announcement because Ms. Rocovich had “committed to placing her appointees on the university’s presidential search committee.”After the governor announced Mr. Rocovich’s removal, she appointed a former Democrat-appointed board member and the president of Dominion Energy Virginia, Edward Baine, to serve as rector until June 30, 2027. She also said that one of the four appointees named last month, Sharon Brickhouse Martin, will fill an open term that ends on June 30 before her full term begins. While the governor has singular authority to remove appointees from state public university school boards, Ms. Spanberger does not have the authority under the Board of Visitors’ bylaws to appoint a rector, who is to be elected by the board. Once the new terms start — without any additional new appointments — the board will have five Spanberger appointees.The Senate majority leader, Scott Surovell, a Democrat, told Virginia’s Cardinal News that he is “pleased the governor is going to continue to resolve the Youngkin Board of Visitors hangover and their politicization of our universities.”But Ms. Spanberger’s removal of Mr. Rocovich, without any details of his alleged violations, sparked outrage among his supporters. “The Governor owes the Virginia Tech community — and all Virginians — an explanation for this decision. What exactly did John Rocovich do?” Virginia’s House Minority Leader, Terry Kilgore, said in a statement. “I’ve known John for years, and I know he has done nothing but act in the best interest of Virginia Tech. To suggest otherwise is libelous. The bottom line is this: the Governor is using this law to remove someone for purely political reasons — in a way no Governor in recent history has done,” Mr. Kilgore said. A former Republican lawmaker, Chris Obenshain, wrote on X, “This is nuts. John Rocovich has dedicated endless time and effort to improving Virginia Tech and positioning the university for future growth and success. A shocking overreach.”While questions swirled about what was behind Mr. Rocovich’s removal, a reporter with the Virginia Scope, Brandon Jarvis, wrote on X, “I am hearing that a rushed presidential search process and the efforts to extend term limits for board members were causes for concern with Rocovich.”Ms. Spanberger’s office did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment by the time of publication.

Spanberger Removes Virginia Tech Rector for Alleged Ethics Violations as She Moves To Reshape University’s Governing Body

Spanberger Removes Virginia Tech Rector for Alleged Ethics Violations as She Moves To Reshape University’s Governing Body

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