<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86654</law_id><section_number>23.1-1301</section_number><catch_line>Governing boards; powers</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>23.1-1019</reference><reference>23.1-1303</reference><reference>23.1-2213</reference><reference>46.2-1228</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="23.1">Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Public Institutions of Higher Education</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="13">Governing Boards of Public Institutions of Higher Education</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The board of visitors of each <span class="dictionary">baccalaureate <span class="dictionary">public institution of higher education</span></span> or its designee may: <a id="paragraph-310311" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Make regulations and policies concerning the institution; <a id="paragraph-310312" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Manage the funds of the institution and approve an annual budget; <a id="paragraph-310313" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Appoint the <span class="dictionary">chief executive officer</span> of the institution; <a id="paragraph-310314" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Appoint professors and fix their salaries; and <a id="paragraph-310315" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Fix the rates charged to students for tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary charges. <a id="paragraph-310316" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">governing board</span> of each <span class="dictionary">public institution of higher education</span> or its designee may: <a id="paragraph-310317" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> In addition to the powers set forth in Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/23.1-1000/">23.1-1000</a> et seq.), lease or sell and convey its interest in any real property that it has acquired by purchase, will, or deed of gift, subject to the prior approval of the Governor and any terms and conditions of the will or deed of gift, if applicable. The proceeds shall be held, used, and administered in the same manner as all other gifts and bequests; <a id="paragraph-310318" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Grant easements for roads, streets, sewers, waterlines, electric and other utility lines, or other purposes on any property owned by the institution; <a id="paragraph-310319" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Adopt regulations or institution policies for parking and traffic on property owned, leased, maintained, or controlled by the institution; <a id="paragraph-310320" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Adopt regulations or institution policies for the employment and <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> of professors, teachers, instructors, and other employees; <a id="paragraph-310321" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Adopt regulations or institution policies for the acceptance and assistance of students in addition to the regulations or institution policies required pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Governing boards; duties" href="/23.1-1303/">23.1-1303</a>; <a id="paragraph-310322" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Adopt regulations or institution policies for the conduct of students in attendance and for the rescission or restriction of financial aid, suspension, and <span class="dictionary">dismissal</span> of students who fail or refuse to abide by such regulations or policies; <a id="paragraph-310323" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Establish programs, in cooperation with the <span class="dictionary">Council</span> and the Office of the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span>, to promote (i) student compliance with state <span class="dictionary">laws</span> on the use of alcoholic beverages and (ii) the awareness and prevention of sexual <span class="dictionary">crimes</span> committed upon students; <a id="paragraph-310324" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Establish guidelines for the initiation or induction of students into any social fraternity or sorority in accordance with the prohibition against hazing as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty" href="/18.2-56/">18.2-56</a>; <a id="paragraph-310325" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Assign any interest it possesses in intellectual property or in <span class="dictionary">materials</span> in which the institution claims an interest, provided such assignment is in accordance with the terms of the institution&#x2019;s intellectual property policies adopted pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Governing boards; duties" href="/23.1-1303/">23.1-1303</a>. The Governor&#x2019;s prior written approval is required for transfers of such property (i) developed wholly or predominantly through the use of state general funds, exclusive of capital <span class="dictionary">assets</span> and (ii)(a) developed by an employee of the institution acting within the scope of his assigned duties or (b) for which such transfer is made to an entity other than (1) the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority, (2) an entity whose purpose is to manage intellectual properties on behalf of nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities, or (3) an entity whose purpose is to benefit the respective institutions. The Governor may attach conditions to these transfers as he deems necessary. In the event the Governor does not approve such transfer, the <span class="dictionary">materials</span> shall remain the property of the respective institutions and may be used and developed in any manner permitted by <span class="dictionary">law</span>; <a id="paragraph-310326" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Conduct closed meetings pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Closed meetings authorized for certain limited purposes" href="/2.2-3711/">2.2-3711</a> and <a class="law" title="Closed meetings procedures; certification of proceedings" href="/2.2-3712/">2.2-3712</a> and conduct business through electronic communication means pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Meetings held through electronic communication means; situations other than declared states of emergency" href="/2.2-3708.3/">2.2-3708.3</a>; and <a id="paragraph-310327" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Adopt a resolution to require the governing body of a locality that is contiguous to the institution to enforce state <span class="dictionary">statutes</span> and local <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> with respect to <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> occurring on the property of the institution. Upon receipt of such resolution, the governing body of such locality shall enforce <span class="dictionary">statutes</span> and local <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> with respect to <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> occurring on the property of the institution. <a id="paragraph-310328" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-1301/#B11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1919, &#xA7;&#xA7; 811, 837, 842, 864, 865, 935, 936, 951, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-76, 23-99, 23-103, 23-122, 23-124, 23-128, 23-167; 1922, p. 319; 1924, pp. 143, 144, 164, 208; 1930, p. 768; 1936, p. 522, &#xA7; 23-77.1; 1938, pp. 442, 444; Michie Code 1942, &#xA7; 938a; 1944, p. 402; 1945, p. 52; 1954, cc. 92, 185, 296 &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-4.1, 23-77.2; 1956, cc. 12, 689; 1960, c. 180, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-44, 23-45; 1962, c. 69, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-49.17, 23-49.18; 1964, cc. 50, 70, 159, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-155.7, 23-155.8, 23-164.6, 23-164.7, 23-165.6, 23-165.7, 23-188, 23-189; 1966, cc. 18, 313, &#xA7; 23-49.21; 1968, cc. 93, 532, 545, 993, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-50.8, 23-50.10, 23-50.11, 23-50.13, 23-174.6; 1970, cc. 98, 166; 1972, cc. 550, 861, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-91.29, 23-91.30, 23-91.33, 23-91.40, 23-91.41, 23-91.44; 1974, c. 317; 1976, c. 21, &#xA7;&#xA7; 23-49.28, 23-49.29, 23-49.32; 1977, cc. 296, 319; 1978, c. 376; 1979, cc. 136, 145, 146, 147; 1980, c. 100; 1986, c. 358, &#xA7; 23-4.4; 1990, c. 106; 1992, c. 103; 1996, cc. 905, 1046; 2002, cc. 158, 257, 368; 2003, c. 708; 2004, cc. 176, 195; 2006, cc. 77, 899; 2009, cc. 325, 810; 2013, c. 577, &#xA7; 23-2.01; 2015, cc. 579, 580; 2016, c. 588; 2018, c. 55; 2022, c. 597.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
