the board of visitors is the supervisory board of the virginia military institute. although the governor is "ex officio" the commander-in-chief of the institute, and no one may be declared a graduate without his signature, he delegates to the board the responsibility for developing the institute's policy. the board appoints the superintendent and approves appointment of members of the faculty and staff on the recommendation of the superintendent. the board may make bylaws and regulations for their own government and the management of the affairs of the institute, and while the institute is exempt from the administrative process act in accordance with va. code (which exempts educational institutions operated by the commonwealth), some of its regulations are codified at 8vac 100. the executive committee conducts the business of the board during recesses.