Old Dominion faculty senate 'exploiting' tragedy for 'personal agenda,' board rector alleges

John Buzbee, The Virginian-Pilot on Mar 26, 2026

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NORFOLK, Va. — The rector of Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors asserted in an impassioned letter Thursday afternoon that the university’s faculty senate was using the recent deadly shooting on campus in “exploiting” a “political or personal agenda” he said had been held by the body prior to the tragedy.

Hours before a student burst into an ROTC classroom of Constant Hall and shot to death its professor and injured two students, the bulk of the Faculty Senate passed a vote of no confidence that sought to depose university President Brian Hemphill, Provost Brian Payne and Vice President Nina Rodriguez Gonser. That 41-7 vote was blocked by the Board of Visitors, the university’s governing body, which said at the time it had confidence in ODU’s administration. It reiterated that stance on Thursday.

The letter signed by the Board’s Rector, P. Murry Pitts, underscores months of growing tension between a significant number of professors and staff and the university’s administration.

“The Board finds the Faculty Senate’s attempts to leverage this moment of mourning to further their vote of no confidence as displaying a significant lack of empathy and questionable judgment. In times of difficulty and distress, we must remain focused by avoiding actions and reactions that attempt to link unrelated situations,” Pitts said. “And, in the midst of a healing and recovery journey, these actions are simply not appropriate.”

Leadership within the Senate say their concerns first over the university’s future and then the administration’s response to the shooting two weeks ago have not been heard. Professors said they fear retaliation from the university’s administration.

At a Tuesday meeting, the Faculty Senate called upon the university’s administration to form a committee of professors, students, administrators and university police to audit health and safety of campus. The Senate also demanded that the Board of Visitors “prioritize the safety of students and staff over administrative initiatives,” a memo from the body addressed to the Board said.

But Pitts’ letter said an independent review was already underway. He said outside experts with varied experiences were those who were best positioned to conduct such review. He called the Senate’s request of a committee “premature.” His letter said many of the recent claims made by the Senate were “inaccurate and insensitive – not to mention disgraceful.” He called for the Senate to rally behind the university leadership and to “lead by example,” prioritizing emotional, mental and physical safety of the campus community.

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