Michael Rao is currently the sitting president of Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health System.

Michael Rao is also the highest-paid Virginias' state official, during the 2018-2019 fiscal year he has made over 1 million dollars in total compensation. 

These two statements are important because although his record may claim to be top tier; he has neglected and disappointed the students of VCU time and time again. Michael Rao refuses to address so many of the vocal needs of VCU and its students. A few of the issues that Rao refuses to address are housing for students, racial injustices that are prevalent on VCU campus, and financial aid. Rao in recent events has neglected the needs of the students during the COVID-19 pandemic and has made excuses as to why the students are not being refunded there partial tuition money for the Spring semester of 2019-2020 school year. In addition, VCU has had multiple incidents of students being ostracized and targeted for their racial appearances. As of June 7, 2020, Michael Rao has not addressed or have taken actions to fix the racial tensions on campus. As a president of a school that prides itself on "diversity," Rao has not upheld these values.

Furthermore, it is not ethical to have a salary of over 1 million dollars in one year when the school is struggling to employ the proper amount of employees for VCU students. Along with not having handicap accessible buildings across the ENTIRE campus, the university has cut funding for students and organizations but has invested heavily in contracts and into buildings that are not needed and causing gentrification of predominately black communities. One of those contracts is with VCU Police its expansion into Richmond Police department districts. Another financial issue for students is housing. There is not enough housing for VCU students and if there are the prices are being gouged to the point that even a student with a full-time job is struggling to meet the rent.   

Michael Rao has had more than enough time to address and draft a plan to fix these issues but yet has become tone death to VCU students. VCU students are tired of settling and are tired of receiving emails from a president who does not have the students' best interest in mind. We are demanding Michael Rao's immediate dismissal from all VCU and VCU Health System president duties. 

Micheal Rao, you have ignored our voices for change for YEARS. You have overlooked us and left us with empty promises. We, the students of Virginia Commonwealth University want you out.