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UVA President Jim Ryan resigns amid federal ultimatum • Daily Montanan [1]
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Date: 2025-06-27
In a stunning development that’s igniting fierce political backlash, University of Virginia President Jim Ryan resigned Friday under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleged the school had failed to fully dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs — a demand tied to a sweeping federal crackdown on higher education.
The New York Times first reported Ryan’s resignation, citing DOJ claims that the institution had merely rebranded its DEI efforts instead of eliminating them. The university’s Board of Visitors accepted his resignation, with Ryan expected to officially step down by Aug. 15 after becoming the president in 2018. He has not commented publicly.
The move has sparked outrage on campus and across Virginia. A protest led by Wahoos4UVA, a group dedicated to defending the university from political influence, is scheduled at the Rotunda on Friday.
“This unprecedented political interference threatens the independence of our University and its fundamental values,” a letter from the chairs of Wahoos4UVA Advisory Council states. “Whatever reason the Department of Justice gives for taking this action is only a pretext thinly masking a partisan agenda. What’s happening is clear: The Trump administration has made UVA the next target in its escalating attack on higher education in America.”
UVA became the first public university in Virginia to dissolve its DEI office on March 8 after President Donald Trump’s executive order warned of t federal funding cuts for noncompliance.
Opponents of DEI argue hiring and promotions should be merit-based rather than consider race or gender. Supporters say DEI efforts are vital to addressing systematic inequities that have long blocked opportunities for women and people of color and women.
The school has also been under scrutiny for its handling of antisemitism complaints. UVA was among 60 colleges flagged in a federal inquiry over whether it adequately protected Jewish students, prompting additional concerns over potential funding losses.
Virginia Senate Democrats condemned what they called federal overreach, urging university boards to “resist any efforts by the Trump Admin to dictate how Virginia runs its own taxpayer-funded schools.”
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that “UVA is the envy of American public universities,” and called Ryan an “incredible leader.” He added: “Trump’s interference in the operation of Virginia’s universities and any cooperation by those sworn to protect them will not be tolerated by the Virginia Senate.”
U.S. Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine also blasted the DOJ’s involvement, underscoring that Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of the state’s 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,” the senators stated. “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 UVA Board of Visitors last met June 4-6. Its next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11-12.
This story was originally produced by the Virginia Mercury which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
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