RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) announced on its official news site that the Board of Visitors had voted on Friday to not require students to take a racial literacy course. The decision comes after Youngkin reviewed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) courses at VCU and George Mason University.
According to the release, the vote was 10-5 with the majority voting to not require the racial literacy course as part of their general education curriculum: "Central to the board's deliberations was a commitment to upholding academic freedom while empowering students... the discussion clearly expressed support for the racial literacy classes and these courses are accessible to students who wish to explore them."
In March, Douglas Wilder, Virginia's first Black elected state governor asked in criticism of Youngkin's review of the school "The real question would be what gives the governor the right to think that he can determine what is being taught?" Wilder said. "What gives the governor the right that he can orchestrate the history of Virginia?"
Wilder said the inquiry is an insult not only to the university scholars who create the courses but to him personally.
"Rather than take more people out, we need to put more people in our history," Wilder said. "I would not have been elected but for people who contributed to my being there to being able to be elected."
VCU's President Michael Rao addressed the board's decision saying he's glad that the courses are available to students, but "As President, I also understand that our board has the ability to vote on a general education mandate that applies to all students.”
