Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin removed appointee Bert Ellis from the University’s Board of Visitors this afternoon, following a meeting the two had Tuesday. Youngkin announced plans to appoint Ken Cuccinelli, who served as deputy secretary of Homeland Security and director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Trump’s first term, to the Board as Ellis’s replacement.
The news was first reported by The Washington Post.
The Office of the Governor released a letter sent from Youngkin to Ellis, in accordance with Virginia law which requires Youngkin to publicly state reasoning for the removal of a Board member. The letter said that Ellis’s conduct as a member had been sufficient cause to remove him from the Board.
“It is with sadness that I remove you as a member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors,” the letter read. “While I thank you for your hard work, your conduct on many occasions has violated the Commonwealth’s Code of Conduct for our Boards and Commissions and the Board of Visitors’ Statement of Visitor Responsibilities.”
Neither the Governor’s office nor the University had offered comment prior to publication on this matter or on how Ellis specifically violated the code of conduct.
According to The Post, Youngkin had previously requested that Ellis step down from the Board due to his controversial approach to issues such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University. Youngkin originally appointed Ellis in 2022 amid controversy over his political alignments. As a Board member, Ellis recently opposed every item on the agenda at a public December meeting, arguing that the University must reduce unnecessary spending in order to lower tuition rates for students.
Ellis issued a statement Wednesday evening, in which he alleged that University President Jim Ryan was not adhering to the Board’s resolution, issued earlier this month, to dissolve the DEI office. He called on Youngkin to reverse his removal from the Board, arguing that the position of a Board member requires an aggressive approach to successfully carry out Youngkin’s and President Donald Trump’s agendas for higher education.
“This is not the time to surrender to these ideological bullies at U.Va.,” Ellis said. “They are in retreat. We must dig in and hold the line. This is our moment to restore common sense and integrity to U.Va.. If we do not stand firm now, we risk losing everything we have fought for.”
Cuccinelli, a University alumnus and former Virginia attorney general, will likely take Ellis’s seat on the Board, as announced by Youngkin later this evening. In a statement shared via Youngkin's announcement, Cuccinelli discussed his plans for the Board and University.
“I’m committed to aggressively advancing plans to restore a culture of merit and end all forms of discrimination,” Cuccinelli said. “I look forward to the important work of reducing administrative spending to keep the University affordable for students and parents and passionately defending free speech.”
The Governor’s office has not shared when Cuccinelli will be officially appointed. As a new appointee, Cuccinelli would need to be confirmed by the Virginia General Assembly.
Read More
“Co-Opting AI: Privacy” event explores the dangers of data collection
By Nina Broderick | 20 hours agoThis event was part of the “Co-Opting AI” public speaker series, focused on AI technology and how it interacts with society in ways ranging from language to athletics.
Allison McVey elected next UJC chair
By Grace Little | YesterdayThe new leadership will take office on April 1, the start of the 2025-2026 Committee term, and will serve until April 1 of next year.
Student Council holds final general body meeting of the 78th term
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 days agoTuesday’s Student Council meeting was the final general body meeting of the 78th term which featured updates of the year in review from outgoing executive members.
