Compared to UVA, some see bias in NSU board approach

nsu1 copySome black members of other university governing boards are objecting to what they see as Gov. Bob McDonnell’s uneven approach in his handling of Norfolk State University compared with the University of Virginia leadership crisis.

“We think everything ought to be treated equally,” said Bill Thomas, a member of the Christopher Newport University Board of Visitors.

Thomas said McDonnell should have followed “the same template” at NSU that he set at UVa last year when he sent all the members of the board an ultimatum warning that they resolve the crisis or he would demand their resignations en masse.

At historically black NSU, the governor has sought the resignations of some individual members in a bid to eliminate two factions on the board after it fired President Tony Atwater in August. read more…