At its meeting Friday, the full Board of Visitors convened to approve several resolutions and hear from Rector Rachel Sheridan and Interim University President Paul Mahoney as both entered their first full Board meeting in their leadership positions. Amidst a community protest against the Board’s recent actions which took place just outside the Rotunda, the Board also voted to approve revisions to its manual and heard an update on NCAA regulations.
Although the Board’s committees met throughout Thursday and Friday — culminating in the full Board’s meeting Friday afternoon — a group of alumni claimed last week that the governing body does not currently meet legal requirements. This could make any actions by the Board legally invalid, a letter sent by these alumni to Board leadership argued. However, the University claims that all business is being conducted in compliance with Virginia law.
The Board heard from Mahoney, who outlined three priorities he has established for his time in the role. These three priorities include assuring the community that the University’s core values have not changed, bringing Justice Department investigations to a close and beginning work on the University’s longer-term goals.
“While political winds may shift around us, the University's core values, mission and activities remain unchanged,” Mahoney said. “This is a sturdy ship that can handle rough weather.”
Mahoney reported to the Board that he had received two letters this week from the Justice Department which resolved investigations into the admissions of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the McIntire School of Commerce and into the University’s response to allegations of antisemitism.
One long-term goal which Mahoney said he is focused on is free and open inquiry. He said, throughout the academic year, he will personally be committed to promoting free speech through programming and planning for next year’s orientation.
“Earlier this week, a young man, Charlie Kirk, an advocate for viewpoint diversity and free expression, was tragically murdered on a college campus. We must and will work to ensure the physical safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to our University at all times,” Mahoney said. “The pursuit of truth in higher education depends on viewpoint diversity, constructive disagreement and open inquiry.”
Sheridan offered remarks at her first full Board meeting as rector, emphasizing the work the Board and University administrators had accomplished throughout two days of meetings.
“[We have done] serious work critical to the functioning of the University. While important work of the University moves on as it must, it does so against the backdrop of a very challenging time for higher education, and yet, we can't kick off a new school year without acknowledging the incredible energy on Grounds,” Sheridan said.
Sheridan said that, despite uncertainty, the Board will continue to act in the best interests of the University.
“We find ourselves at an inflection point in the Commonwealth and our nation. Trust in institutions is low,” Sheridan said. “We ask members of this community to join us in charting [a] better path forward, one that will serve as a model for schools across the nation on how to bridge differences and cultivate community and respect.”
The Board voted to approve several action items, including the exclusion of certain directors and officers from security clearance. According to the meeting agenda, current Department of Defense regulations require that at public universities, the chair of the Board, a senior management official and a facility security officer meet requirements for eligibility for access to classified information, but that other personnel may be excluded from access to classified information.
Sheridan said that in accordance with her position, she is pursuing eligibility to access classified information — however, other members of the Board and senior leadership are exempt from meeting this requirement. The full Board votes to approve a similar resolution at its September meeting each year.
Two revisions to the Board’s manual were also approved — one established the Executive Compensation Subcommittee as a full standing committee of the Board. Formerly a subcommittee of the Finance Committee, this new standing group will periodically review University compensation policies to ensure they support broader goals and successfully attract and retain personnel on competitive terms.
The other revision to the manual authorized Ballenger and any future secretary to the Board to delegate certain responsibilities if he or she cannot attend a meeting of the Board.
Jason Baum, deputy athletics director for legal and regulatory affairs, provided an NCAA orientation for the Board. Baum said that although university presidents are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their athletics programs, compliance with NCAA rules is generally delegated to Baum’s office within the athletics department.
Baum’s presentation focused on “boosters,” which include all individuals or entities which promote University athletics programs, donate to the athletics department, are former student-athletes or are employees or Board members at the University. He noted that the University is responsible for the actions of all boosters, particularly regarding recruiting.
“There are specific rules [about] when we can engage in that contact with [prospective athletes], and certain individuals who do that,” Baum said. “Only coaches are working to recruit off Grounds. Boosters, including all of us, cannot make recruiting contact with the prospective student-athlete, on or off Grounds, [and] institutions cannot publicize their recruiting activity.”
Baum also reviewed regulations surrounding student-athlete employment, scholarships and Name, Image and Likeness agreements. He noted that previous NCAA scholarship limits have been eliminated, but that each sport now has a legislated roster limit.
The Board heard from Faculty Representative Jim Lambert, who thanked the Board for including faculty in University governance processes, including through listening sessions which will contribute to the selection of the University’s next president.
“There are concerns among the faculty, of course, for the volatility and loss of federal funding, the austerity measures and limiting of discretionary spending,” Lambert said. “There's concern for the transitions in senior leadership, including the departure of a respected leader, as mentioned earlier in this meeting, but we are optimistic for the future with you.”
Gregory Perryman, student representative and fourth-year College student, emphasized the students’ resilience in the face of challenges to higher education and encouraged the Board to recognize the importance of communicating with and listening to students.
“As we enter the new year and a year of leadership transition, I wanted to emphasize how important it is to communicate with and listen to students,” Perryman said. “Students are eager to be a part of the conversation, and they notice when leaders make efforts to engage. I want to thank interim president Mahoney for doing exactly this, stepping quickly into his role and already beginning to build closer relationships with students.”
The Board elected its Executive Committee for the 2025-26 academic year, which will include Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson, as well as members Daniel Brody, Paul Manning, John L. Nau III, Amanda Pillion and David Webb. The Executive Committee advises the Board on any matters referred to it, and in the time between full Board meetings, holds the same power and authority as the entire Board.
Six commending resolutions were also passed by the Board, including one which elected former University President Jim Ryan as president emeritus. Although members did not read each resolution aloud, Manning read one for Ryan and thanked him for his accomplishments as president.
“Alongside the entire University community, the Board of Visitors thanks Mr. Ryan for his leadership and service, commends him for his many achievements as President, wishes him, his wife Katie Ryan, and their family every success in their future endeavors, and hopes that they will pursue those endeavors here at the University,” the resolution read.
Following closed session, the Board approved personnel actions, including elections and resignations of faculty. Among these actions were Mitch Rosner’s appointment as executive vice president for Health Affairs and chief executive officer of U.Va. Health until 2028, at an annual salary of $1,633,000. The term of Jennifer Wagner Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer, was extended until 2030 at an annual salary of $900,000.
The full Board will convene Dec. 4 and 5 for its next regularly-scheduled meeting.
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