Resolution on the Selection of an Interim President for the University of Virginia

WHEREAS the University of Virginia has long been recognized as a great university in the Commonwealth, the United States and across the world; and

WHEREAS a great university is led by a great president; and

WHEREAS on occasion, great universities depend upon a proven individual to serve in the role of interim president; and

WHEREAS the Rector and Vice-Rector of the University have expressed a willingness to engage with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee in the design and implementation of the process of selecting an interim president; and

WHEREAS the interim president of a great university is selected in a deliberate, transparent and collaborative process; and

WHEREAS on those occasions, university faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni and other key internal constituents have long been essential and full partners in the selection of an interim president for a great university; and

WHEREAS an interim president of a great university has demonstrated excellence and experience in such leading roles as university president, provost, academic vice-president or dean; and

WHEREAS an interim president of a great university needs to hold a terminal academic degree and has a history of outstanding scholarship, teaching and research; and

WHEREAS the interim president of a great university has demonstrated, throughout a distinguished career as an academic leader, to be an effective, inclusive, and collaborative professional who has honored the university mission and its commitment to excellence in service of the public good; and

WHEREAS in keeping with Senate’s Resolution on the Resignation of President Ryan on June 27, 2005the Board of Visitors has an obligation to act in the best interests of the University, free of conflicts of interest and political pressure, as articulated in its Statement of Visitor Responsibilities : “Visitors actively safeguard principles of academic freedom for the University and its faculty and endeavor to protect the University from outside influences seeking improperly to shape it;” therefore be it

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia is heartened by the expressed intention of the University’s Rector to work with Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and in collaboration with the Acting President of the University, to conduct a deliberate, transparent, and collaborative process of selecting an interim president; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector and Board of Visitors to further acknowledge that University faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and other key internal constituents will be full partners in the selection of an interim president; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector and Board of Visitors to seek an interim president with the essential qualities of demonstrated excellence and experience in such leading roles as university president, provost, dean, or academic vice-president; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector and Board of Visitors to select an interim president who possesses a terminal academic degree and has a history of outstanding scholarship, teaching, and research; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector and Board of Visitors to select an interim president with an established history as an effective, inclusive and collaborative leader, who has honored the University mission and its commitment to excellence in service of the public good; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector and Board of Visitors to assert its authority under VA Code § 23.1-1301(A)(3)-(4) to select the University’s administration and personnel in an environment of shared governance, and free from improper interference by the federal government or other outside actors; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University’s Rector, Board of Visitors and Acting President to work actively and collaboratively with the Faculty Senate to select an interim president for the University of Virginia.

Passed on July 11, 2025 by a vote of 44 for, 0 against, and 3 abstained