Section § 23.1-1304 of the Code of Virginia requires that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia “develop, in consultation with public institutions of higher education and members of their governing boards, and annually deliver educational programs for the governing boards of such institutions" and “submit to the General Assembly and the Governor an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Council pursuant to this section no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly." A 2013 amendment to the Code stipulated that new board members “shall participate in an orientation session at least once during their first two years of membership." In 2015, the statutory language was amended to provide boards a process whereby members who do not participate may be removed.

In accordance with this requirement, SCHEV staff held a mandatory orientation session for newly appointed board members on October 22-23, 2019. A copy of the agenda summarizing the topics covered in these meetings is included with this report.