UVA president resigns under pressure from Trump administration, per reports
The New York Times is reporting that James Ryan, the president of the University of Virginia, will resign following pressure from President Donald Trump's administration.
The school's board of visitors voted in March to dissolve UVA's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships.
'The Board of Visitors voted for common sense, saying 'no' to illegal discrimination and 'yes' to merit-based opportunity,' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said at the time. 'DEI is done at the University of Virginia. We stand for the universal truth that everyone is created equal, and opportunity is at the heart of Virginians' and Americans' future.'
Still, reports said the Department of Justice felt Ryan mispresented the steps he'd taken to eliminate the programs, and the Trump administration had pushed for his removal.
At the time this story was published, UVA has not released an official statement on Ryan's resignation, but the New York Times obtained a letter to the head of the Board of Visitors saying he submitted his resignation.
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Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both United States Senators from Virginia, released a joint statement on Ryan's decision.
'Virginia's economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system,' the senators said. 'It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth's globally recognized university remove President Ryan — a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous 'culture war' traps.
'Decisions about UVA's leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia's well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia's future.'
Later, in a press call with Virginia reporters, Kaine called the move "a sad day for Virginia" and suggested that Ryan stepped down because he did not have the backing of the UVA Board to stand up to the administration. He urged other college boards across Virginia to stick to their appointed roles of overseeing those who run their colleges and back them to the hilt.
"If you're on a board, you have to have the back of your president and stand strong," Kaine said. He likened the move to a test of loyalty to the Trump Administration.
"It's like they now have a pelt and they are proud of it," Kaine said.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, said in a statement that the move by the administration goes against every foundation on which UVA was built.
'Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia to serve as a bastion of academic freedom for students to engage in intellectual curiosity without fear of censorship or retaliation. He viewed education as a shield against tyranny," McClellan said. "The bullying of his beloved university by President Trump and his Justice Department are the exact brand of government overreach he feared. University leaders should be accountable to the university community and its governing bodies, not subjected to political pressure from the president of the United States.'
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: UVA president resigns under pressure from Donald Trump, per reports
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