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Board adopts updated remote‑meeting policy allowing more virtual participation to count toward quorum
Summary
The Higher Education Board of Trustees adopted revisions to its remote‑meeting policy after counsel explained code changes that expand circumstances in which virtual participation counts toward quorum and raise the all‑virtual threshold.
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Board of Trustees voted to adopt an updated remote‑meeting policy after agency counsel outlined recent changes to state code that expand when remote participation counts toward quorum.
Adam Kane of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General told the board the amendments identify four situations when a member joining remotely will be counted toward quorum: if a member is more than 60 miles from the meeting location; is caring for a person with a disability; has their own medical condition preventing attendance; or is dealing with a personal issue that prevents physical presence. Kane also said the prior limit that constrained all‑virtual meetings at 25% has been revised to a 50% threshold or two meetings, whichever applies.
"One of the code change instances where a member has a physical disability preventing them from physically attending the meeting ... they will now be counted towards the quorum," Kane said in the presentation.
Chair (first meeting as chair) made the motion to adopt the revisions and a second was recorded; the board carried the motion by voice vote with no opposition noted.
Board members said the change is unlikely to affect their calendar, given how infrequently the board meets in all‑virtual format, but several members welcomed the clarification for members who face caregiving or health barriers. The action updates the board’s written remote‑meeting policy to reflect current state law.
The board did not provide a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the motion was reported as carried and will be reflected in the Center’s updated policy documents.
