No President, No Provost, No Leadership: Time for the Board Of Visitors to Take Action

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – 
It is now two weeks since the resignation of President Ryan, leaving UVA without a president and provost. It is unclear why the Board of Visitors has failed to meet during this crucial period to choose an interim president and reinstitute what certainly appears to have been a failed search process for a provost.

There are numerous qualified individuals present at The University who could fill the role as interim president while a more extensive search is instituted to choose a new president. President Ryan's resignation and the lack of any real progress on the provost search has resulted in a tangible sense of uncertainty on Grounds. We therefore urge the BOV to meet as soon as possible to:

1. Name an interim president who is a current member of The University community;

2. Form the committee to immediately begin the search process for our new president;

3. Reinstitute the search process for our new provost; and

4. Address both the unresolved DEI violations and the antisemitic gun incident that are the subjects of continuing scrutiny. 

UVA deserves better. It is time for the Board of Visitors to get serious and get to work.

The Jefferson Council is a nonprofit organization composed of UVA alumni, donors, students, and faculty who are committed to preserving Thomas Jefferson’s legacy of freedom and excellence at the University of Virginia.