[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6556651,"mediaKeyId","5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b","parentId",5332437,"title","Board launches superintendent search; appoints Dallas Clark as acting superintendent","audioSeconds",2147,"startMs",5293000,"endMs",7440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b&start=5293&end=7440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b/thumbnail_5293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6556651/Virginia/Board-launches-superintendent-search-appoints-Dallas-Clark-as-acting-superintendent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556651-d6c77dcadee70af5032be8154c28d098/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843035&Signature=ct~XScRxY~rB4syx1xpMONmfgQtKYkPxfUz0yfijkvk08DYiWGWAkgCr65qx4onJyhQg3NlkNoC7vLoNyf8i8dQ5uyH-4eGbYbH5KGb2BJUvrRr4jn54QNpioZHyMlkq4U~5ILezh3cgBHzc3otyBeClhyUxIIEWlI74DS2TvCm-hIfDGNAxBiwELdtryegMKblM4t6Tm9fZgyWJKxIQJXuPEL~zMnKhGqgArCBzeb7nAI74plKXU76P8nbLLGJurrOIAQgpFvV4QbKu6RqQDfp2lSE0Eq2ShOjRm1Tik73D5UyMla~hW4H-vZeRmz-ijlOzeD9PNXeSoZFTQwANLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VMI Board of Visitors","date","2025-05-03T16:29:07Z","article","The Board of Visitors reported on the ad hoc superintendent search and appointed Dallas Clark as acting superintendent to fill any gap between Major General Cedric T. Wins' departure and the arrival of a successor.

Search process and timeline
Board cochairs reported that the ad hoc search committee was formed in March and includes 13 members: seven board members and six external advisory members representing alumni, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. The board selected search firm Buff & Baker (contracted through Commonwealth procurement) after a written and oral proposal process. The firm conducted a broad survey and listening sessions; the committee reported nearly 1,500 survey responses, roughly 70 percent from alumni, which Buff & Baker described as an unusually strong response rate for a sensitive search.

Search committee members received a draft position profile after listening sessions; the committee expects to finalize the profile and begin active and passive recruitment within about a week of the meeting. The committee described its overriding priority as developing a candidate pool of the highest quality and said the timeline remains aspirational: naming a new superintendent by Aug. 1 would be a target, but the committee will prioritize candidate quality over a hard deadline. The committee expects an early assessment of the candidate pool around late May to early June to determine next steps and interview scheduling.

Appointment of acting superintendent
To ensure operational continuity while the search proceeds, the board voted to appoint Dallas Clark as acting superintendent for the interim period. The motion was approved by voice vote. The acting appointment is intended to cover any gap between the incumbent's departure and the arrival of a named successor.

Transparency commitments
Search co-chairs said the committee intends to be as transparent as possible. The committee created a search website where materials, timelines and updates will be posted. The board described the search committee membership as intentionally broad, including representatives with career military experience, faculty, staff, non-graduate alumni and graduates from multiple decades.

Next steps
The committee will finalize the position profile, continue outreach, and assess the depth of the candidate pool in the coming weeks. The board expects the search firm to begin active recruiting once the profile is finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","VMI Board of Visitors Full Meeting, 03 MAY 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Visitors announced an advisory search committee and search firm, outlined a recruitment timeline, and appointed Dallas Clark as acting superintendent while the search proceeds.","taxTitle","Virginia Military Institute, Executive Agencies, Executive, Virginia","taxId",36416,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6556655,"Alumni and cadets urge board to address leadership, culture and inclusivity during public comment at VMI meeting",1150,210000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b&start=210&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b/thumbnail_210000.jpg","/articles/6556655/Virginia/Alumni-and-cadets-urge-board-to-address-leadership-culture-and-inclusivity-during-public-comment-at-VMI-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556655-837170a3a2e7402c9bffda4e65a83cfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843035&Signature=Z1DMMKn1QQceBiNkC8ih-ONMEHvMLpMdiX9LTS4AlUQahcc-Mi2E1VDMEAiqv8JcOJHw~aT1xZ3L4ynBgkp3pMARVCxhLfkNC~hTdpI-qoXkZq6Ee8f17nPIJVPC~WA4-FbgtwjzyyGNh9GJn-Nq1EPQ-DDZs7xVdx1s8ITfMSKxCclW3N-2YOejj0z046HhAOouNCGexfxa78xuIg23fSjd5rqoMXG9qBot2jSN0isNf3DBGZ6Zh1hMkBmmzfPI~GZlJ~FF3WBreq0rCexyYb-xStZr4FKiVN7VSE7Qcfu5Zq-AZ87AYK~1ZnZVsB7k~akJQ1PcztMCq4YoOhqJYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several dozen alumni, former board members and cadets used the Board of Visitors' allotted public-comment period on May 1 to press the board on leadership, transparency and the institute's culture following the decision not to extend the superintendent's contract.

Speakers who identified themselves as alumni or former board members described a mix of sentiments. Some urged transparency and continued engagement between alumni and the board; others criticized the board's handling of the superintendent's tenure and alleged that decisions were made without fair consideration. One former board member said he believed the superintendent was denied a fair opportunity for renewal. Several alumni mentioned packets of confidential materials they had sent to the board and asked that the board review those items in private as part of its deliberations.

Other commenters addressed issues of diversity and inclusion. One alumnus characterized diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as politically motivated and argued they should be removed from institute practice; others, including cadets who spoke later in the meeting, described VMI as an inclusive place and urged the board to preserve an inclusive culture for current and future cadets. Cadets who spoke praised access to academic, athletic and leadership opportunities and urged continued focus on the corps' experience.

Speakers and themes
- Alumni and former board members (multiple speakers, identified by name and class year in materials) urged the board to consider alumni-supplied proposals and to maintain transparent dialogue with stakeholders.
- Several alumni criticized the decision not to renew the superintendent's contract, with at least one former board member saying the superintendent had been \"cast\" and given little chance of retention.
- Some speakers argued that DEI initiatives represented a form of racial preference and should be removed; other speakers, including cadets, described the institute as inclusive and emphasized the importance of preserving the current campus culture.
- Multiple cadets, including elected cadet leaders, described student-facing efforts: the honor court reported expanded jury training and mock trials to educate the corps; rising regimental and honor-court officers outlined leadership and conduct priorities going into the next academic year.

Meeting context and what was requested
Public commenters asked the board for continued outreach to alumni and for consideration of alumni proposals, including recruitment strategies, cost-savings ideas, and initiatives to amplify admissions. Several speakers referenced confidential packets sent to the board that they asked the board to review in private. Cadets asked for representation in deliberations that will affect cadet life and proposed establishment of a representative liaison committee to give the corps a formal voice on key decisions.

The board thanked speakers and said it would take the comments into account; no formal board action was taken during the public-comment period.","Nearly two dozen alumni and cadets spoke during the board's public comment period, expressing views on the recent non-renewal of the superintendent's contract, concerns about transparency, and competing perspectives on diversity, equity and inclusion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6556659,"VMI Board approves FY26 operating budget with no tuition increase, caps athletics subsidy at $750,000",385,5615000,6000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b&start=5615&end=6000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332437-6022b3fd4f2395aa327d5d1d6bcbce5b/thumbnail_5615000.jpg","/articles/6556659/Virginia/VMI-Board-approves-FY26-operating-budget-with-no-tuition-increase-caps-athletics-subsidy-at-750000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556659-dcb6d23e7fa8cff7b1d43e785e1f79ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843035&Signature=grXlLOLRbCnu8d-5Q~d4bgjWcsABG5Wm6ifWsPp5UfeTEilOcBpTnHR9YnhVo9D09OBjFnnrlwQoMvOCo52NS8gCkAl86Mqhs3qI3DszGTGIyYRr~~KBY0Ep0Z~O0zzi38cFIpx0Mpz3xXJOSq-XZ7nnOxVGWtRehTHi6X~5HfoMZWXIc4DC4DIF3rEKNx5~ODVLiieL0dJ80HbeO7wzTGvLXw04pkgz7nWfa~RLUEn62rn9LbEH4NPDqsH~6xlodjl1kjGiXQ7BpRf~4q0qjhkBS-gLgmt3qkUjIWhhZGQaPe9nuaehZtHNuSbMefpJvv0PGL3jqQIPatiZAc6x9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors on May 1 approved the institute's fiscal year 2026 operating budget, voting to hold tuition flat for both Virginia and out-of-state cadets while imposing a 3 percent increase in mandatory fees. The board also directed that the institute's athletics subsidy be capped at $750,000 for FY26, with an option to raise that amount to $1,000,000 based on a January 2026 review of projected FY27 athletics deficits.

The actions followed an extended discussion in which board members debated competing priorities: affordability and enrollment versus rising operating costs and institutional prudence. Supporters of holding tuition at current levels cited concerns about enrollment headwinds and access for lower-income families; opponents urged modest increases to preserve fiscal reserves and avoid larger hikes later.

The final budget motion that passed set tuition increases at 0 percent for in-state and out-of-state cadets and a 3 percent fee increase for both groups. During the vote on the tuition/fees substitute motion, board members recorded eight in favor and five opposed; one board member announced a recusal. (The roll-call of individual board-member votes was not read aloud in the transcript.)

On athletics funding, the board approved language limiting the FY26 athletics subsidy to $750,000 and directing administration to bring updated FY27 projections to the January 2026 Board meeting. If the January projections show operating deficits of about $500,000 and the board deems the FY27 plan satisfactory, the board allowed an increase of the FY26 subsidy up to $1,000,000. The transcript records that the motion passed but does not provide a numerical vote tally for the athletics subsidy item.

The FY26 budget debate included specific budget figures and example dollar impacts cited by the administration: a 2.5 percent tuition increase for Virginia cadets (one committee option) would have added about $258 per student; a 1 percent out-of-state tuition increase would have been about $420; and a 3 percent fee increase was roughly $660 per cadet under the scenarios discussed. The board discussed reserve levels and prior budget decisions and asked the administration for a plan to reduce the athletics deficit in the coming year.

Other formal actions approved at the meeting (see \"Votes at a glance\" below) included adoption of changes that had been placed on the consent calendar and authorization to proceed with scheduled academic approvals forwarded by the Academic Affairs committee. The Board's approval of the FY26 budget will be implemented by institute administration under the direction given by the Board.

Votes at a glance
- Fiscal year 2026 operating budget (final motion): Approved; tuition: 0% increase for Virginia and non-Virginia cadets; fees: +3% for both groups; recorded vote on substitute motion: 8 yes, 5 no, 1 recusal (roll-call not read).
- Athletics subsidy direction: Approved; FY26 cap $750,000; potential increase to $1,000,000 contingent on satisfactory FY27 projections at January 2026 review; vote tally not specified in transcript.
- Consent calendar (academic motions forwarded by committee, including faculty changes, graduation lists, Jackson Hote grants, academic regulations and curricular changes): Approved by voice vote.

What happens next
The administration will adopt the FY26 operating plan in accordance with the board's fiscal direction and prepare the materials the board requested for the January 2026 review of athletics finances. Board members said they expect the administration to present a clear, data-driven plan for reducing the athletics operating deficit and to continue efforts to expand non-operating revenue and donor support for athletics.","The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors approved a fiscal year 2026 operating budget that holds tuition flat and raises fees 3 percent, and set an athletics subsidy cap of $750,000 for FY26 with a possible increase to $1 million after a January review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board launches superintendent search; appoints Dallas Clark as acting superintendent

Alumni and cadets urge board to address leadership, culture and inclusivity during public comment at VMI meeting

VMI Board approves FY26 operating budget with no tuition increase, caps athletics subsidy at $750,000