UVA College Foundation trustees' letter calling for Sullivan's reinstatement

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Below is the full text of a letter sent by a group of UVA College Foundation emeritus trustees calling on the Board of Visitors to reinstate President Sullivan when they convene at 3 p.m. tomorrow:

Dear Members of the Board:

We write, as emeritus trustees of the UVa College Foundation, to offer a perspective on\nthe June 26 meeting called to consider reinstating President Sullivan.

The Board now has wide, necessary input from the University community, particularly\nthe faculty. After a week's reflection, the Board as a whole also has an opportunity to consider\nfully President Sullivan's May 3 and June 18 strategic planning memoranda which present\ncomprehensive strategic analysis, planning, and implementation to date. Together these address\nBoard, faculty, student, alumni, and public concerns, specifically including challenges of digital\ntechnology in university instruction.

Any corporate board deliberates differently when members have the opportunity to\nconfer together in the same room to refine views and develop consensus. The process leading\nsome members of the Board to request President Sullivan's resignation before a meeting, in\nabsence of an actual vote, and without wide consultation was flawed. All involved acknowledge\nthis. The meeting Tuesday is a new opportunity.

The Board as a whole has yet formally to vote on President Sullivan's continuing in\noffice. The June 19 vote dealt with appointing an interim president. A vote to retain Teresa\nSullivan as president thus will be before the Board, deliberating together after due consideration\nand consultation, for the first time.

In our view, only one course preserves trust among the University community, gives\npriority and focus to urgent strategic action, and honors the traditions and heritage of this great\nUniversity.

All the undersigned vigorously support President Sullivan's reinstatement.

With best regards,

Margaret Ann Brown, College '74, Law '77\nJames J. Chaffin, Jr., College '66\nDavid E. Gibson, College '62, Law '65\nRichard D. Marks, College '66

John B. Morse, Jr., College '68\nJuliana Schulte O'Reilly, College '86\nStephen P. Smiley, College '71