In a 10-page letter sent Aug. 1, State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, demanded written responses and documentation from University Rector Rachel Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson regarding the events leading up to and those following former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation. The letter was obtained by The Cavalier Daily from a source who asked to remain anonymous.
The letter outlines 46 detailed questions which probe whether members of the University’s governing board acted independently, or under external direction, in handling negotiations with the Justice Department. The Justice Department launched an investigation into the University earlier this year over allegations that the University failed to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs and may have violated federal civil rights laws.
“Recent events surrounding the forced resignation of President James E. Ryan raise urgent concerns about transparency, shared governance and whether the University's governing board has operated within the bounds of its legal and ethical responsibilities,” Deeds wrote.
Deeds said that the General Assembly has a constitutional interest in these matters and in the operations of public universities more broadly.
Top Democratic leaders in the Assembly were copied on the letter, including Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, in addition to Secretary to the Board Susan Harris. University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover confirmed that the University has received and is reviewing the letter.
Deeds’ letter focused heavily on a series of alleged meetings and communications between Sheridan and Wilkinson and the Justice Department. These meetings, which have not been previously reported, occurred on June 3, June 24 and June 26, before Sheridan and Wilkinson formally assumed the roles of rector and vice rector July 1.
Deeds also pressed for details on what was shared with the full Board — specifically, former Rector Robert Hardie and former Vice Rector Carlos Brown — during and after the University’s June 4-6 meeting.
Deeds asked whether Justice Department officials, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares or Sheridan and Wilkinson ever suggested Ryan’s resignation would help resolve the investigation and whether any such suggestions were conveyed to Ryan or other members of the Board.
“Did a Department of Justice official request, suggest, demand or imply to you that President Ryan should resign as part of a resolution to the DOJ investigation? If so, what was promised or implied in return? Did you ask for anything in writing from the DOJ? If not, why?” Deeds asked.
He noted that in a New York Times article, Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general at the Justice Department who signed the letters to the University, “unequivocally” denied that she or her department had ever asked Ryan to resign.
Deeds’ letter also raised questions regarding a resolution passed by the Board March 7 which responded to federal directives under the Trump administration’s January executive order on DEI. The resolution called for the dissolution of the University’s Office of DEI and Community Partnerships and required Ryan to provide a compliance update within 30 days.
In his letter, Deeds sought to determine whether the March 7 resolution was influenced or drafted in consultation with Youngkin’s office or anyone acting on his behalf. He also pressed Board members to explain how Ryan’s required report was handled once submitted and whether the University’s actions were shaped by internal deliberations or external pressure.
The Board passed a resolution April 29 stating that the University had made progress toward the DEI directives. Deeds asked why Sheridan and Wilkinson, as chair and co-chair of the Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee, did not publicly acknowledge that the Justice Department had, by that point, sent seven formal letters, including one that threatened the University’s federal funding.
The letter further explores how the University retained legal counsel from the firm McGuire Woods, which has been previously identified as representing the University during Justice Department negotiations. Deeds sought clarity on whether any other attorneys were retained and whether those attorneys played a role in discussions about Ryan’s employment status.
The senator also raised concerns about transparency and communication. At a Faculty Senate meeting July 11, Sheridan denied her involvement in Justice Department negotiations.
“Ms. Sheridan, how do you reconcile this statement with multiple reports indicating you met with DOJ officials on June 3rd, June 24th, and 26th?” Deeds asked.
The decision not to respond to Justice Department letters also drew scrutiny. Deeds asked why the Board failed to reply to those communications and who specifically made the decision to delay sending materials.
Among the final questions in the letter, Deeds asked Sheridan and Wilkinson to explain what they saw as the role of shared governance, noting that the Faculty Senate had passed a vote of no confidence in the Board.
“What is your understanding of the importance of shared governance in a university? What is your understanding of the significance of having lost the confidence of the people who educate students in that university?” he asked.
Deeds’ final question challenged the Board to articulate its boundaries in future negotiations with federal authorities.
“Is there any demand the Department of Justice could make that the Board of Visitors would reject?” Deeds wrote. “Provide a list of at least ten examples of lines the Board of Visitors would refuse to cross in negotiating the terms of a resolution agreement with the Department of Justice.”
Deeds concluded by citing Section 23.1-1301(A) of the Virginia Code, which affirms that boards of visitors at public institutions “shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly.” The letter asked the Board to respond by an Aug. 15 deadline.
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