CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia President James Ryan announced his resignation Thursday night in a letter to the university’s board. Ryan, who has held the position since 2018, had originally planned to step down at the end of the next school year but will now leave before August 15.
Jim Ryan issued a statement following the announcement of his resignation:
“To the University community:
I am writing, with a very heavy heart, to let you know that I have submitted my resignation as President of the University of Virginia. To make a long story short, I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University. But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my own job. To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld. This is especially true because I had decided that next year would be my last, for reasons entirely separate from this episode—including the fact that we concluded our capital campaign and have implemented nearly all of the major initiatives in our strategic plan.
While there are very important principles at play here, I would at a very practical level be fighting to keep my job for one more year while knowingly and willingly sacrificing others in this community. If this were not so distinctly tied to me personally, I may have pursued a different path. But I could not in good conscience cause real and direct harm to my colleagues and our students in order to preserve my own position.
It has been an honor to be your President. hanks for the outpouring of support over the last few days and weeks. My deepest gratitude to all of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni, who make this University and this community both great and good. This was an excruciatingly difficult decision, and I am heartbroken to be leaving this way.
Best,
Jim
Jim Ryan, UVA President
The resignation follows a Justice Department investigation into UVA’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The DOJ claimed Ryan had not dismantled the university’s DEI programs, stemming from an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., blasted the federal government, calling it “government overreach.” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., issued a joint statement with Kaine following Ryan’s resignation:
“Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system. 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.”
Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Reid praised the resignation, saying it was time for Ryan to be “shown the door.”
“It’s high time that President Ryan be shown the door. I hope that everybody who’s associated with UVA will recognize that they need to recommit to solid management practices and stop pushing the DEI that has been rejected by the voters.”
Republican Lt. Gov. nominee John Reid
At one point, the DOJ warned UVA that hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding were at risk if the university did not dismantle its DEI programs. UVA is among several universities facing similar funding threats, including Harvard and Columbia.
UVA Rector Robert D. Hardie also issued a statement regarding the resignation:
“Earlier today, and with profound sadness, I accepted President Jim Ryan’s resignation on behalf of the Board and its members.
Jim Ryan has been an extraordinary president of this great University. He has led our institution to unprecedented heights, always doing so with grace and humility. I know I speak for our students, alumni, faculty, and staff when I express my heartfelt gratitude for Jim’s tireless service to our University, especially for the ways he has guided the institution steadily and with great purpose, even in the face of major challenges like a global pandemic. UVA has forever been changed for the better as a result of Jim’s exceptional leadership."
Robert D. Hardie, University of Virginia Rector
Neither UVA Gov. Glenn Youngkin has issued a statement regarding Ryan’s resignation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
For more information on Ryan’s resignation, click here.
