(This story has been updated.)
The New York Times reported Friday that University of Virginia President James E. Ryan is resigning to resolve a civil rights investigation, under pressure from the Trump Administration.
“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,” Ryan wrote in a letter to the University. “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.”
Senators. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after Jim Ryan resigned as president of University of Virginia following pressure from the Department of Justice (DOJ):
“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.”
The Virginia Senate issued the following statement:
"Virginia's public higher education institutions are the envy of higher education systems across the United States of America, which is precisely why the Trump Administration seeks to micromanage them. Our universities have built reputations for academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing leaders who contribute to our Commonwealth and nation including dozens for former Supreme Court Justices, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, U.S. Attorney’s General, Governors, and other notable Americans.
"The Virginia Senate stands strongly in support of President Ryan and the presidents of all our public universities. We recognize their commitment to maintaining the academic integrity and educational mission that have made Virginia's institutions world-class centers of learning.
"We call upon all Boards of Visitors across our 14 public colleges and universities to resist any efforts by the Trump Administration to dictate how Virginia runs its own taxpayer funded schools. Our institutions of higher learning must remain focused on their educational mission, free from political interference that undermines their autonomy and academic freedom.
"The Senate of Virginia will be watching the Trump Administration's actions closely over the coming months. We will carefully monitor and consider any Board’s reaction to federal interference in our state's higher education governance as we evaluate the more than 60 pending nominations to Boards of Visitors across Virginia's public colleges and universities, including four at the University of Virginia, the additional vacancy created by Ken Cuccineli’s rejection, the four vacancies and George Mason University and six additional pending nominations on their sixteen member boards.
"Virginia has a proud tradition of educational excellence that spans centuries. We will not allow political pressure from Washington to compromise the integrity of our institutions or the leaders who have dedicated their careers to advancing higher education in the Commonwealth."
