The president of the University of Virginia has stepped down amid ongoing scrutiny related to the Department of Justice’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative.
James Ryan’s resignation is set to take effect “by August 15th.”
Board members at the university expressed concerns over compliance with directives from former President Trump. His administration issued an order in January that prohibits DEI practices in institutions receiving federal funding.
Hermet Dillon, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, reached out to Ryan on April 28, noting a complaint regarding the university’s compliance with Trump’s mandates.
Another letter from the DOJ followed on June 17.
Both the university and the Department of Justice did not promptly respond to requests for comments on this matter.
Axios reported earlier on Friday that the Trump administration was attempting to push Ryan out of his position.
A spokesperson for the university stated, “UVA is dedicated to adhering to all federal laws and is collaborating with the Department of Justice on ongoing inquiries. Federal support for universities is crucial to maintaining its primary missions of research, education, and clinical care.”
Before joining UVA in August 2018, Ryan served as the dean of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
A Democratic senator from Virginia has criticized the Trump administration in light of Ryan’s departure. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine expressed outrage, contending that Trump’s officials influenced the removal of Ryan amidst an “outrageous culture war.” They have praised Ryan’s leadership and noted that his departure could have negative implications for Virginia.
They remarked, “UVA’s leadership choices should align with the Visitors Committee as per Virginia’s respected framework for higher education governance. This is an error that could impact Virginia’s future.”
The Trump administration has been challenging various universities for not adequately addressing diversity initiatives and anti-Semitism on campus.
Columbia University has succumbed to these pressures to secure federal funding, while Harvard has thus far maintained its stance.
Recently, it was reported that Harvard’s leadership is wrestling with how to navigate dealing with these issues without appearing to concede to Trump.
