Possible restructuring for Lexington’s Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) Board of Visitors is going through a vote in the Virginia Legislature.
Initially, House Bill 1374 (HB1374) was proposed Jan. 20 by Virginia Beach democrat Michael Fegans to restructure VMI’s Board of Visitors. This bill also proposed that any oversight would be moved to Virginia State University (VSU).
HB1374 has now been rewritten to mandate a board overhaul. This overhaul includes reducing the number of alumni on the 16-member board from 12 down to 8. It also requires at least 6 members to be non-alumni, and at least 5 to have military experience.
On Feb. 17. 2026 HB1374 was passed in the House of Representatives (69-Y, 28-N), and was referred to the Senate Committee on Feb. 18. 2026.
Additionally, Delegate Dan Helmer introduced House Bill 1377 in the 2026 Regular Session. This bill would establish a VMI Advisory Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of the school’s culture, academics, and role as a state-sponsored institution.
According to the bill, as it was originally written, its goal was to “determine VMI’s responsiveness to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s 2021 report on the institution and to explore changes to be made to distance VMI from the Lost Cause and foster an inclusive environment as well as any other matter raised by the task force.”
Following a meeting between Del. Helmer and VMI Superintendent Lt. Gen. David J. Furness, the bill was amended to remove “defunding” language.
In a Feb. 4 press release, Lt. Gen. Furness offered VMI’s support of the amended bill.
“We are appreciative to the House of Delegates for their bipartisan efforts to amend the bill to remove references threatening VMI’s state funding,” Furness said. “We are confident that an impartial task force will find that VMI is a Virginia treasure that produces citizen-soldiers ready to serve selflessly as military officers or civilian leaders. While no institution is perfect, VMI is open to improvement in our constant pursuit of excellence.”
The House voted on HB1377 Feb. 5, and it passed with 71 votes for yes, and 24 vote
s for no.
These bills are a constantly developing situation, and we will try to stay on top of updatesHB 1374 was sparked by alleged racial bias at VMI. After VMI’s first black superintendent MajGen Cedric Wins was not re-signed to a contract. Along with other alleged racial issues reported in 2021 that black cadets faced racism by fellow cadets and faculty.
Previously the bill would have transferred governance from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors to the Virginia State University (VSU) Board of Visitors. That transfer would have also made all donations go to Virginia State. Due to the efforts of VMI’s superintendent LtGen. David J. Furness and his testimony before the House Education Committee for an amended HB 1374. HB 1374 was amended.
