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Statement on the Departure of University of Virginia President James Ryan

At its core, the forced resignation of University of Virgina President James Ryan is an assault on a higher education system accessible to all, and thus on democracy itself. Ryan’s alleged crime of fostering an inclusive, diverse campus environment at UVa that meets the needs of Virginia students should be lauded. Instead, an authoritarian administration intent on turning back the clock in implementation of a white racist agenda demanded his removal for disobeying their political and ideological commands. This sets an extremely dangerous precedent as the neither the White House nor the Department of Justice has the authority to fire university presidents. All those who care about higher education should demand an independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ryan’s departure.

The National AAUP stands with the University of Virginia Chapter of the AAUP, the Virginia AAUP Conference, and the University of Virginia Faculty Senate in condemning the Department of Justice’s assault on the independence and integrity of the University of Virginia. 

– Todd Wolfson, AAUP President