Ryan’s Downfall Began with Bipartisan Board Vote
President Jim Ryan resigned on June 27, 2025, after months of failing to demonstrate compliance with a unanimous vote from UVA’s bipartisan Board of Visitors, followed by an ongoing DOJ investigation into illegal discrimination. Here’s a timeline of the key events:
March 7:
The UVA Board of Visitors voted unanimously (17-0) to dissolve the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and community partnerships.
The Board directed UVA to ensure compliance with the Equal Protection Clause, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and other federal civil rights laws.
President Ryan was given 30 days to report on the University’s compliance.
April 11:
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to UVA requesting information about the university’s compliance with federal civil rights laws following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
The DOJ requests that UVA certify that it does not use race as a factor in making admissions decisions, scholarships, financial assistance, or other benefits, and requests.
It further requests documentation reflecting “any changes in admissions policies or procedures” after the Supreme Court ruling.
UVA was given until April 25 to produce the requested information, while offering the opportunity for an extension if requested by April 18.
April 18:
An identical letter from the DOJ was sent to UVA, with the exception that this letter was directed to UVA’s School of Law. The identifying factor in the letter was a reference to the LSAT, while the letter dated April 11 was SAT/ACT.
UVA was given until May 2 to produce the requested information, while offering the opportunity for an extension if requested by April 28.
April 18:
The Cavalier Daily reported that 41 days after the Board vote, UVA still had not shared any updates on compliance with the BOV vote, despite repeated requests.
UVA spokesperson Brian Coy stated there was “no information to share at this time.”
A FOIA request by the Jefferson Council for related documents was denied, citing “presidential correspondence.”
April 28:
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to President Ryan referencing the Board’s resolution and the University’s lack of updates.
The DOJ requested that by May 2, UVA must certify that the Board’s directives had been fully satisfied across every division, school, and program, including the Law School, School of Medicine, and Nursing School.
The DOJ required a detailed response identifying all eliminated positions, programs, and preferences, as well as the current status of anyone previous roles.
The DOJ letter also references the earlier letters sent on April 11 and April 18 asking for clarification on UVA’s admissions practices in light of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard—letters that had not been publicly disclosed until then.
May 2:
UVA requested an extension from the DOJ, citing insufficient time to compile the required documentation.
The DOJ granted an extension to May 30.
May 2:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to President Ryan regarding an antisemitic incident involving a fourth-year student that occurred at UVA.
The letter referenced a joint letter sent on April 30 to President Ryan from Stand With Us, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Brandeis Center regarding the above incident.
The DOJ mentioned several allegations of antisemitic incidents among students and faculty, particularly referencing incidents occurring in October 2024.
The letter noted that this is likely “the first of several requests that your administration will receive regarding this matter” and that it is unrelated to the other ongoing investigations at UVA.
The DOJ requested information by May 9 regarding the incident involving the fourth-year student.
May 22:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to President Ryan to investigate if UVA is in violation of Title VI as it relates to the School of Medicine.
The DOJ requests the same type of documentation as it did in the April 11 and April 18 letters above.
The letter described, “We have previously sent UVA requests for information regarding possible race discrimination in its undergraduate and law school admissions. We incorporate those requests into this investigation. At this time, our investigation will also focus on possible racial discrimination in medical school admissions at UVA”
The letter further noted, “If we conclude UVA is violating Title VI, we will inform you and work with you to secure compliance by informal voluntary means. If we cannot secure compliance by voluntary means, we may take action to secure compliance, which could include suspending, terminating, or refusing to continue your federal financial assistance, as well as commencing a civil action.”
UVA was given until June 13 to produce the requested information, while offering the opportunity for an extension if requested by June 9.
May 30:
The DOJ extended deadline passed with no public evidence that UVA had responded to the DOJ’s demands.
No reports were released, no statements were issued, and a review of the UVA website and Board of Visitors records showed nothing indicating compliance.
Notably, minutes from the Board’s June 4-6 quarterly meeting, just days after the deadline, contained no mention of the DOJ investigation or related compliance efforts.
June 2:
Governor Youngkin issued a letter to UVA administration warning that "the failure to fully implement and completely dissolve DEI programs and positions puts the university at great risk" and reminds them that "full compliance with the law is required."
Governor Youngkin further asked UVA to report to the Secretary of Education on any progress made. There is no public evidence that such a report was completed by UVA.
June 16:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to the Board of Visitors with the memo “RE: Racial Discrimination in Admissions at the University of Virginia” and referencing the previous DOJ letters of April 11, 18, and 28.
This letter states, “Since those letters were transmitted, the Department has received complaints that President Ryan, his administration, and certain faculty members have been actively engaged in attempts to defy and evade federal anti-discrimination laws and the directives of your Board.”
As a result, the DOJ expanded its compliance reviews to include the School of Nursing, Darden, the Education School, and Batten, other boards, associations, and foundations.
This letter also notes that it has now received complaints regarding employment issues that could constitute illegal discrimination under Title VII.
This letter confirmed that UVA was granted yet another extension for compliance, this time until June 23.
June 17:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to the Board of Visitors referencing the letter from the previous day, noting that it had received yet another complaint pursuit to Title VI involving a current student and the McIntire School of Commerce.
The complaint in question described “possible race-conscious decision-making and preferential treatment in the Spring 2025 admissions cycle.
The letter further stated that “The Department must insist that the University of Virginia, through its Rector and Visitors, take immediate corrective action to bring the entire institution within compliance of governing federal anti-discrimination laws.”
June 27:
Hours after President Ryan resigned, a DOJ investigator appeared on CNN with Jake Tapper, confirming that UVA had never responded substantively to multiple DOJ letters.
The investigator stated:
“I sent a sheaf of letters of increasing urgency simply asking them to confirm they were compliant with Students for Fair Admissions. They didn’t. They haven’t, and to date, they still haven’t—almost three months after I began writing letters to the university, the law school, the medical school, the nursing school, and others… Unlike many other institutions, UVA just didn’t respond at all, only requesting extensions.”
In Summary:
From March 7 to June 27—a span of 112 days—President Ryan failed to produce any response to repeated inquiries or evidence that UVA was in compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. The public further received no transparency or assurances about whether illegal or discriminatory programs were being dismantled.
Imagine if a corporate Board of Directors gave directives to a CEO and received nothing but stonewalling for nearly four months. In the private sector, Ryan would likely have been fired for cause long before June 27.