CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) – The University of Virginia is addressing reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking the removal of UVA President Jim Ryan.
In a statement released Friday, a university spokesperson said:
“UVA is committed to complying with all federal laws and has been cooperating with the Department of Justice in its ongoing inquiries. Federal support is critical to UVA’s mission in research, education, and clinical care.”
According to a report by The New York Times on Thursday, the DOJ alleges that Ryan has not fully complied with a recent executive order that aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at publicly funded institutions.
As an example, at a recent UVA Board of Visitors meeting, the university opted to rename its Equity Center as the Center for Community Partnerships instead of disbanding it entirely. The Equity Center, established in 2019, was originally created to address concerns about how UVA engaged with underrepresented communities in Charlottesville.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon commented:
“The Department of Justice has zero tolerance for illegal discrimination at publicly funded universities. We have made our stance clear to major institutions, including the University of Virginia. When university leaders fail to commit to ending illegal discrimination in hiring, admissions, or student benefits, they place their institutions at risk legally and financially. We support leadership changes that reflect compliance with our nation’s civil rights laws.”
Pressure for Ryan’s resignation began with the Jefferson Council, a conservative alumni group, which has criticized his leadership for fostering controversies that they say have harmed UVA’s values and reputation.
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