Deans, Professors who are University alumni write letter to Gov. McDonnell

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Below is a letter sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell Thursday by a group of University professors and deans who also graduated from the University.

"June 21, 2012

The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell\nOffice of the Governor\nPatrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor\n1111 East Broad Street\nRichmond, Virginia 23219

Thomas Jefferson considered the founding of the University of Virginia to be one of his most significant\ncontributions to the American Republic. The University, he wrote, would be "based on the illimitable\nfreedom of the human mind to explore and to expose every subject susceptible of its contemplation." UVa\nis one of the nation's most distinguished public universities. Here we teach, create knowledge, and train\nfuture leaders. We are bound to uphold the principles upon which Mr. Jefferson founded this University:\n"For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as\nreason is left free to combat it."

The forced resignation of Teresa Sullivan represents the most serious threat to the academic integrity,\nintellectual reputation, and national standing of the University in modern history. We agree with the\nHonor Committee that the failure of the Board of Visitors to provide a full and clear explanation of its\ndecision has "created an environment that is inconsistent with the value of trust that runs through the very\nfabric of our University."

As members of the faculty who are also loyal alumni of the University, our role as stewards gives us a\nspecial obligation to speak out when we believe this institution's core values are at risk. We call upon\nRector Helen Dragas to follow the Vice Rector's lead and resign immediately. We also call for President\nTeresa Sullivan's reinstatement. The Board has failed to follow proper procedures and has shown an utter\ndisregard for the institution's commitment to shared governance. President Sullivan was selected after a\nrigorous national search process that incorporated input from stakeholders across our community. She is\nbeloved by faculty, students, staff, and alumni. She understands the financial challenges facing public\nhigher education today – as well as the enduring values of honor, openness, and trust that cannot be\ncompromised at any cost. Dean Carl Zeithaml is an enormously talented and highly respected academic\nleader, but we disagree with the Board's decision to approve an interim president without faculty\nconsultation. We call upon the Board of Visitors, our fellow alumni, and the people of the\nCommonwealth to restore the values that define our great University.

Sincerely,

Eric M. Patashnik (College, 1987)\nAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy\nProfessor of Public Policy and Politics

Maurie McInnis (College, 1988)\nAssociate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Arts and Sciences\nProfessor of Art History

Jeanine Braithwaite (College, 1982)\nProfessor, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Jennifer L. Geddes (College, 1987, GSAS, 1995 and 1999)\nResearch Associate Professor of Religious Studies\nPermanent Faculty & Director of Publications, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture\nCo-Principal, Brown College at Monroe Hill

Christopher Krentz (GSAS, 2002)\nAssociate Professor of English

Margaret E. Mohrmann (GSAS, 1995)\nEmily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation Professor of Biomedical Ethics\nProfessor of Pediatrics\nAssociate Professor of Religious Studies

Laurence G. Mueller (College, 1989, Darden 1993, GSAS 2002)\nAssistant Dean for the Global MBA for Executives\nExecutive Director for the Center for Global Initiatives\nDarden School of Business

Victoria Olwell (College, 1989)\nAssociate Professor of English

Ricardo Padron (College, 1989)\nAssociate Professor, Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

Jahan Ramazani (College, 1981)\nEdgar F. Shannon Professor of English

R.K. Ramazani (Law, 1954)\nEdward R. Stettinius Professor Emeritus of Government and Foreign Affairs\nDepartment of Politics

Caroline Rody (GSAS 1995)\nProfessor of English

Micah J. Schwartzman (College, 1998; Law, 2005)\nAssociate Professor of Law\nUniversity of Virginia School of Law

Andrew Stauffer (GSAS 1998)\nAssociate Professor of English

Stephen K. White (College, 1970)\nJames Hart Professor of Politic"