<p>A report saying that something “should operate more like” a private school is a far cry from saying it “should be” a private school. Especially when the report also said it “makes clear that U-Va would remain a public university.” I don’t think there can be much confusion over that. </p>
<p>Regardless, these are preliminary comments in a draft proposal from a non-actionable working panel based on a requested brainstorming exercise by the university president while looking to develop future strategies to strengthen the university’s financial and educational position. In other words: it’s a good thing. Brainstorming is intended to ellicite extreme options and alternatives to spark conversation. In that respect this is a very beneficial exercise.</p>