Governance Bodies

The Board of Visitors, commonly referred to as the BOV, is a public corporation under the control of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has the authority derived from the Code of Virginia to serve as the overall governing body of Virginia Tech.

University Council serves in an advisory capacity to the President on matters of university governance, assisting in the formation of academic and university policies by reviewing and making recommendations on topics of concern for faculty, staff, students, and the administration. The Council refers matters to the appropriate groups or individuals for review, while also serving as the conduit through which all senates, commissions, and committees report to the president.

The University Council Cabinet serves as an executive body that functions as a small-scale discussion forum for senate concerns, keeping the senates informed of the state of the university, while also facilitating decision-making across the system of shared governance. The cabinet is responsible for administering council business between council meetings, setting the council agenda, and ensuring that the appropriate groups are creating, reviewing, and advancing policy.

Senates are bodies that represent the collective voice of their constituency throughout the system of shared governance. Each holds specific legislative authority and responsibility and is responsible for appointing and recommending members to serve as their representatives on University Council, commissions, and committees.

Commissions are small groups, made up of at least one representative from the faculty, A/P faculty, staff, graduate and professional students, undergraduate students, and administration, that are charged to study, formulate, and recommend policies and procedures relating to the areas to which they are closely affiliated.

Committees are standing or appointed small groups that deal with matters of university-wide interest. Standing committees are constituted on a continuing basis by the President, while ad hoc or subcommittees may be formed at the request of a governing body as needed.