"Four weeks, still no answers"

Dear Wahoos4UVA members,

It’s been four weeks since President Jim Ryan resigned. In that time, here’s

what the UVA community has done to get answers from the Board of Visitors:

June 26: Wahoos4UVA members emailed the Rector, Vice Rector, and

Board members to demand information about the events leading up to

President Ryan’s resignation, including what the Justice Department’s

demands were and who was acting on the Board of Visitors’ behalf in

negotiations.

July 3: Co-Chairs Ann Brown and Chris Ford followed up with Rector

Rachel Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson about our questions.

July 4: Twelve UVA Deans warned the Board that major donors were

pulling back and new hires were reconsidering. The Deans offered their

assistance to the Board and requested a meeting “as soon as possible.”

July 11: Over 1,000 people joined an emergency Faculty Senate meeting.

Two resolutions passed overwhelmingly, voicing no confidence in the Board

and condemning its failure to protect the University from external

interference. The Faculty Senate called for a full and immediate accounting

of the events surrounding President Ryan’s resignation.

July 14: Wahoos4UVA members urged the Rector to insist on a full

investigation before signing any resolution with the DOJ and reject any

resolution that infringes on academic freedom or speech, or hands

presidential selection to federal or state officials.

So far, the Board’s response has been to close ranks and stonewall. The

Board’s silence has only deepened the UVA community’s mistrust in their

ability to govern, and prolonged the uncertainty that continues to damage the

University’s reputation and stability. As the Editorial Board of the Cavalier Daily

aptly put it, “students will be returning to Grounds with no concrete sense of

who will be at the helm of this institution and little reason to trust the governing

body, which has made no attempt to explain or justify its actions. As community

members, we deserve transparency and accountability.”

Rays of Hope

To be sure, there has been some light in the darkness. During the four weeks

the Rector, Vice Rector, and Board of Visitors have been missing in action,

many others in the UVA community have stepped up.

Acting President J.J. Davis, Interim Provost Brie Gertler, and Interim EVP for

Health Affairs Mitch Rosner seem to be doing everything in their power to keep

the University running smoothly. They are working diligently to bring stability

and fill the vacuum created by the Rector and Vice Rector’s silence. And the

Deans continue to be strong advocates for the faculty, staff, and students in

their respective schools.

The Student Council, Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, and General Faculty

Council are showing what real shared governance looks like. Their leaders are

advocating for their constituents, rather than placating the administration or the

Board. That’s not easy in a time of crisis, but their work has been principled,

strategic, and tireless.

The students on staff at the Cavalier Daily are doing an exceptional job

reporting on the events surrounding President Ryan’s ouster. Despite not

having the resources of newspapers like the New York Times or the

Washington Post, the Cavalier Daily is gathering tips, talking to sources,

following up on leads, and putting out hard-hitting stories. UVA is fortunate to

have the Cavalier Daily and its stellar team of journalists.

We are grateful to all of these beacons of hope during this dark time in UVA’s

history, and we thank them for their leadership.

The Road Ahead

UVA community members have been persistent and patient in their efforts over

the past four weeks to get answers from the Board of Visitors. Now, state

lawmakers are taking up the cause following the grassroots groundswell.

Yesterday, Virginia Senate and House Democratic leaders joined former

Governor L. Douglas Wilder in calling for a robust defense of Virginia’s public

universities from partisan attacks. During that press conference, the actions of

UVA’s Board of Visitors, Governor Youngkin, and Attorney General Miyares

were loudly condemned by legislators who were outraged at the federal

government’s overreach into the operations of the University. Calling the Board

of Visitors in its current incarnation “illegitimate,” the party leaders present

insisted the Board hold off on launching a search for the 10th president of UVA

until January, when the composition of the Board is expected to change.

Lawmakers added that there’s a pressing need to change how appointments to

Boards of Visitors are made, and to address the fact that Virginia’s public

universities can’t hire their own attorneys and instead can be subject to

partisan agendas imposed by the Attorney General. They also raised the

prospect of a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) inquiry

into the actions of the Board of Visitors.

We are grateful to the members of the General Assembly for taking their

oversight obligations seriously, and we appreciate their efforts to shine a light

on the truth and protect UVA from political interference.

What You Can Do This Week

Wahoos4UVA is a nonpartisan organization committed to protecting UVA from

political interference — from either side of the aisle. Here’s how you can take

action this week:

Click here or below to email Acting President J.J. Davis and urge her to reject

signing any agreement with the Department of Justice that would:

1. Waive UVA’s rights to due process;
2. Cede oversight to the federal government on what or how UVA faculty
3. teach and research;
4. Dictate faculty or student disciplinary procedures;
5. Interfere with student self-governance;
6. Intrude into the day-to-day management of the University;
7. Impose restrictions on constitutionally protected speech; or
8. Require a monitor or establish any form of ongoing DOJ oversight of UVA’s
9. operations.

Email President Davis

Together, we can help UVA control its own fate.

With appreciation and resolve,

Ann Brown and Chris Ford, Co-Chairs

Wahoos4UVA

____________________________

Text of email to Acting President J.J. Davis

Dear Acting President Davis,

Thank you for stepping forward to lead the University during this difficult and uncertain time. Your steady leadership, long-standing commitment to ethical decision-making, and deep understanding of UVA’s mission have earned the respect and trust of many, including me.

I am writing as someone who cares deeply about the future of the University. After reading the resolution agreement recently signed by Columbia University and the U.S. Department of Justice, I am gravely concerned about the terms of any agreement UVA may be considering.The DOJ has inserted itself into the internal governance of a private university without any clear statutory authority, undermining institutional autonomy and setting a precedent that could threaten academic freedom nationwide. If such overreach can occur at Columbia, a private institution, the implications for a public university like UVA are even more alarming.

I want to state clearly that I oppose signing any resolution agreement that admits wrongdoing or concedes fault before a full and fair investigation has taken place and all due process avenues have been pursued. UVA should not be pressured into waiving its rights or compromising its principles to satisfy political expediency. The U.S. Department of Justice must follow the Administrative Procedure Act in its dealings with UVA. It is your job as Acting President to ensure that they do.

Specifically, I urge you to reject any agreement that would:

1. Waive UVA’s rights to due process under the Administrative Procedure Act;
2. Grant the federal government oversight into what or how UVA faculty teach and research;
3. Dictate faculty or student disciplinary procedures;
4. Interfere with student self-governance;
5. Intrude into the day-to-day management of the University;
6. Impose restrictions on constitutionally protected speech; or
7. Require a monitor or establish any form of ongoing DOJ oversight of UVA’s operations.

Any of these provisions would threaten academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the foundational values that define the University of Virginia.

Thank you again for your leadership. I remain confident in your ability to navigate this moment with integrity and courage.

[Your full name here]

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