Resolution Calling for Leadership Rooted in Transparency and Accountability

WHEREAS effective governance of the University requires transparency and communication with faculty, staff, students, and alumni; and

WHEREAS naming a university president is the most consequential action a university board can undertake; and 

WHEREAS on June 27, 2025, the Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia (Faculty Senate) passed a Resolution calling on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia (BOV) to explain the circumstances that led to the forced resignation of President Ryan; and

WHEREAS at both the July 9th Executive Council meeting and the July 11th Faculty Senate meeting, the Rector committed to sharing information regarding the forced resignation of President Ryan “once an agreement was made [with the Department of Justice]”; and

WHEREAS an Agreement with the Department of Justice (the Agreement) was finalized by Interim President Paul G. Mahoney on October 22, 2025; and

WHEREAS UVA administration has made assurances that the Agreement follows the guidance provided by UVA’s General Counsel and adopted by President Ryan in May 2025, thus re-raising the question as to why President Ryan was forced to resign; and

WHEREAS the Rector and Vice Rector have refused multiple requests for meetings with the Faculty Senate, stating that they intend to return to “ordinary practice” whereby the BOV will only speak directly “with the interim President, the future President and the faculty representative on the BOV regarding matters of concern for the faculty;” and

WHEREAS this refusal demonstrates a lack of courage, leadership and accountability in times that are anything but ordinary; and 

WHEREAS the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University of Virginia need leadership that is transparent, accountable and brave and that is not tainted by the ongoing and as yet unanswered questions surrounding the decisions and actions of the BOV in the forced resignation of President Ryan; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the Governor and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide the University of Virginia with BOV leadership who merit the trust and confidence of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the University; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED the Faculty Senate requests that the Presidential search cease activity until the BOV is at full complement with members confirmed by the General Assembly; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls for the immediate resignation from the BOV of Rector Rachel W. Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter N. Wilkinson.

Passed by a vote of 41 for, 17 opposed, 2 abstained