CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Just weeks before a new academic year starts under an interim president, the UVA Student Council has passed a resolution declaring no confidence in the Board of Visitors.
A statement late Friday said the resolution follows weeks of no communication since the council passed a July 17 resolution calling for transparency and student involvement in the presidential transition.
During the Aug. 4 BOV meeting where an interim president – Paul Mahoney – was named, new rector Rachel Sheridan addressed the topic of transparency.
“People care deeply about this university and that is something this board respects,” she said. “While the board cannot always speak publicly about sensitive matters, that does not mean we are not listening closely.”
The council statement argues the interim president was appointed in closed session without public release of feedback and nominations solicited from the University community, nor any indication whether they were considered in the selection process.
Jim Ryan resigned as UVA’s president last month, under pressure from the Trump administration, which was investigating whether or not UVA had complied with federal directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the university.
The search for his permanent replacement is expected to last 4-6 months.
The Council wants to assure there is student input in that process, and issued a new list of demands:
● Increase student representation on the presidential search committee in collaboration with Student Council and Class Councils;
● Publicly share the rules and guidelines for the presidential search process on the University’s website and at the first open meeting of the Special Committee with opportunity for public attendance and comment;
● Host a joint meeting between the Special Committee and elected student leaders, or a public student town hall to solicit input;
● Request for the Student Council Representative Body to conduct a simple majority vote of approval or disapproval of the final candidate as an official advisory opinion prior to any final BOV decision on the selection of the 10th President;
● Regular, transparent updates to the student body, including formal updates to be presented to Student Council throughout the process as requested in the July 17 resolution.
The full resolution is below:
