Small-college vulnerability and governance clashes surfaced this week as Labouré College announced it will close and Virginia lawmakers rejected a slate of board appointments, effectively removing the Richard Bland College Board of Visitors. Labouré’s closure spotlights sustainability risks for small, credential-focused institutions facing enrollment and financial pressures. In Virginia, lawmakers declined to confirm seven appointees from a prior administration, prompting an immediate governance reshuffle at a public college. Lawmakers said the moves reflected lingering political disagreements over appointments; critics warned the change disrupts institutional continuity and sense of mission. Trustees and campus executives must now navigate transitions that include contingency planning for students and staff, transfer pathways, and continuity of accreditation and financial aid operations.