Virginia Tech’s rector John Rocovich is pushing back after Governor Abigail Spanberger fired him from the university’s Board of Visitors for alleged ethics-code violations. Rocovich responded with a letter denying any code breach and arguing that the effort to remove him is “deeply offensive” and “legally unsupported,” while rejecting the premise that boards serve at the pleasure of the governor. Spanberger’s concern has reportedly included the possibility that the board could move to hire a new president before her appointees are seated, particularly as outgoing president Tim Sands announced plans to step down and Rocovich said he hoped to replace Sands by July. The dispute has split Virginia lawmakers along partisan lines. Senate majority leader Scott Surovell said the governor’s action was aimed at resolving the “Youngkin Board of Visitors hangover,” while House minority leader Terry Kilgore defended Rocovich and demanded the governor specify the allegations. The immediate stakes are institutional continuity and timing for presidential selection, as presidential searches can take up to a year—meaning a governance disruption could reshape leadership transition plans at Virginia Tech.