The Committee’s vote rejected James Donovan, John Harris, H. Eugene Lockhart and Calvert Saunders Moore.
The Faculty Senate heard from Interim President Paul G. Mahoney, as well as passed a resolution affirming the body’s commitment to academic freedom and the University’s mission.
The Cavalier Daily obtained this proposal from an anonymous member of the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate.
In the letter, Debevoise partner David A. O’Neil reiterated that the Board could not speak on negotiations and discussions with the Justice Department.
Even if Ryan had felt he had a strong case against the Justice Department’s investigations, would the Virginia legal system have allowed him to seek supportive legal counsel?
Unsworth oversaw the 2020-2024 renovation of Edgar Shannon Library during his time as dean of libraries, and was a proponent for the renaming of the building in April 2024.
This year, Housing and Residence Life has eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion and multicultural training for resident advisors, according to anonymous resident staff.
Prior to his work for the DOJ, Brown represented the plaintiffs for the cases Goldstein v. The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (2024) and Bettinger v. The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (2023).
Participants in the rally, who included faculty and students from all years, held up homemade signs that showed dissatisfaction with recent University events, such as Ryan's resignation and rising political influence over University affairs.
Rejected Thursday were James Donovan, John Harris, H. Eugene Lockhart and Calvert Sanders, appointed by Youngkin at the end of June.
It is well documented that Ryan and Dhillon find themselves on opposing sides of the debate over university-led efforts to increase racial diversity on college campuses.
Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan also introduced external search firm Isaacson, Miller, which will assist the committee in their search for the University’s next permanent president.
External search firms are often retained by universities to identify and recruit candidates for top leadership positions.
The former Law dean joined the University Law School faculty in 1990 and served as academic associate dean of the School of Law from 1999 to 2004.
Dr. Janea Johnson, public relations and data specialist at SACSCOC, said in a written statement to The Cavalier Daily July 28 that “a change in leadership does not automatically become a compliance concern.”
Each speaker addressed concerns over a lack of input from students, faculty, staff and community members in the circumstances which led to former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation and the decision-making process since then.
This document, titled “U.Va. Guidance for Ensuring Compliance with Civil Rights Law,” reveals that compliance reviews were already underway prior to former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation.
The Trump administration has put pressure on major public institutions to eliminate DEI which they say violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Mahoney’s unanimous appointment as interim comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the Board and the Department of Justice surrounding allegations that the University has not adhered to anti-discrimination civil rights laws.
The ruling is a major development in the ongoing battle between Senate Democrats and the state Republicans and officials at three universities.
