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