Two governance flash points surfaced this week: text messages from University of Virginia board members showed trustees blasting lawmakers and faculty amid campus tensions, and the University of West Florida’s Board of Trustees approved Manny Diaz Jr., a former Republican lawmaker, as permanent president after a contested search. Faculty senates at West Florida called the process rushed and procedurally suspect; one faculty leader read a public statement calling it a 'failed search.' At UVA, released texts reveal trustee anger that could complicate relations with state officials and campus constituencies. Both episodes highlight growing strain between governing boards, faculty governance bodies and political actors as university oversight becomes increasingly politicized.