Members of the UVA community hold a wide spectrum of views about the agreement UVA signed with the U.S. Department of Justice. The Cavalier Daily’s editorial and Josh Bowers’ op-ed offer a critical view, while others like the Washington Post editorial board have argued the agreement was a victory.
Interim President Paul Mahoney has expressed his belief that this was the best deal available to pause the five remaining civil rights investigations, and we have no reason to doubt that he believes this to be true.
But there is a larger question that cannot be avoided:
If Interim President Mahoney and the Board of Visitors are fully committed to UVA’s lawful compliance with all federal civil rights statutes, why is pausing the investigations seen as a positive outcome?
On October 22, 2025, UVA signed what Mahoney and Sheridan have called a “Standstill Agreement,” suspending five active DOJ investigations for three years. Mahoney has publicly insisted that UVA “surrendered no due process rights” and emphasized that if the DOJ ever attempts to terminate grants, levy fines, or take adverse action, the University will still be entitled to due process.
If this is true, the entire rationale for striking a “deal” collapses.
If the DOJ can’t punish UVA without affording due process, Mahoney and Sheridan’s “deal” didn’t spare UVA from massive financial penalties. What the “deal” actually accomplished was something far different: It spared the DOJ from having to conduct their investigations through the lawful and transparent procedures required by the Administrative Procedure Act.
Interim President Mahoney and the Board of Visitors accepted oversight without judicial review, without normal procedural safeguards, and without public accountability.
This raises a larger issue that should concern every member of the University community, regardless of their position on the agreement:
Why won’t Interim President Mahoney and the Board of Visitors allow the DOJ investigations to be carried out?
If UVA’s practices, policies, and procedures already comply with federal law, then there is nothing to fear from a transparent investigation. Inviting the DOJ to proceed would show confidence, integrity, and courage, the qualities this University was built on. Further, if UVA’s practices, policies, and procedures already comply with federal law, then there is no reason to agree to comply with federal guidelines that go beyond what is required by law, or to be subject to quarterly certifications.
The Moral Case for Ending the Standstill
Thomas Jefferson founded this University to “follow truth wherever it may lead.”
If Interim President Mahoney and the Board of Visitors are committed to compliance with federal civil rights law, they should not hide behind a standstill agreement that halts inquiry. Good leaders don’t fear investigation – they welcome it. Let the matter be settled once and for all.
Investigations are not a threat to a healthy institution; they are an opportunity. Every university has areas where it can improve, refine practices, or strengthen protections. A lawful investigation can surface weaknesses, clarify misunderstandings, and point to changes that make UVA stronger.
Under the regular investigative process, the DOJ would be bound by the APA and Title VI/IX investigative requirements. UVA would retain full rights to challenge any findings in court. If violations are found, they should be corrected openly, transparently, and in full view of the people the University serves.
Our Message to Interim President Mahoney and the Board of Visitors:
Running from scrutiny is inconsistent with UVA’s core values. You should withdraw from the agreement and invite the DOJ to conduct the investigations through normal, lawful channels.
With Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and Attorney General-elect Jay Jones preparing to take office, UVA no longer stands alone.
The Commonwealth is ready to defend its flagship university and protect the rule of law. It’s time for you to let the truth emerge through lawful process.
Call to Action
Click here to urge Interim President Paul Mahoney and the Board of Visitors to take the following steps:
- Withdraw immediately from the October 22, 2025 “Standstill Agreement.”
- Invite DOJ to resume its investigations under the lawful procedures of the APA.
- Reaffirm UVA’s unwavering commitment to full and lawful compliance with all federal civil rights statutes.
- Work with the incoming Governor and Attorney General to protect the University’s institutional autonomy and the Commonwealth’s sovereignty.
With determination and resolve,
Ann Brown (College ‘74, Law ‘77)
Chris Ford (Engineering ‘87)
Other ways to take action
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