Three universities in Virginia are considering cutting some of their ties to the state as a way of easing regulations and mandates coming from Richmond. William and Mary, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech have all seen state aid plummet in recent years even as they chafe under what they consider to be onerous state regulation. The change in their status wouldn't make them private schools (they'd be called "Commonwealth-chartered") and their boards would still be appointed by the governor. But they would be freed from state accounting and personnel rules and able to raise tuition as they saw fit. Since Virginia Tech is the largest university in the state and UVa. and William and Mary two of the most prominent universities in the land, we doubt they will founder for lack of state aid. We say, let them go, and let the market - rather than a blend of artificially low tuition and needlessly intense regulation - drive enrollment at these marquee institutions.
"3 public universities try to ease Va.'s reins," by Amy Argetsinger, Washington Post, January 12, 2004