VCU statement about the Commonwealth Poll

VCU is dedicated to supporting academic freedom, which is why the university released the latest Wilder School poll despite multiple errors.

Unfortunately, this is the second time in 2024 former Gov. Wilder's personal agenda has skewed polls regarding VCU and President Rao. His continued bias runs the risk of tarnishing the Wilder School's otherwise strong reputation.

VCU is proud of the Wilder School dean, leadership and its dedicated and award-winning faculty, staff and students. They deserve better from their namesake.

In their news release, former Gov. Wilder states that "The General Assembly recommended that Rao not serve on the board; he subsequently has resigned from the board."

Both of these statements are incorrect.

The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission report, per page 57, recommended that the VCU president position remain on the health system board, albeit with changes that include not serving as chair.

Per current Virginia statute, President Rao is still chair of the VCU Health System Board of Directors.

Further, page 57 specifically states that any concerns were "about [the] current structure, not [the] individual in [the] president position."

There is also a significant error in the poll itself when question 19 states: "The report also concluded that President Rao should not continue to serve on the Health System board." That is also not correct.