Interim University President Paul Mahoney announced that Justice Department investigations into admissions policies of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the McIntire School of Commerce, as well as into the University’s response to allegations of antisemitic discrimination, had been closed during a meeting of the full Board of Visitors Friday.
In the months leading up to former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation, a series of letters sent by the Justice Department to the University and obtained by The Cavalier Daily through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the Department had opened reviews into the admissions policies of all University schools. The seven letters were sent between April 11 and June 17, and The Cavalier Daily obtained these letters July 1.
“Racial discrimination is immoral and abhorrent. Most of all, it is illegal. The mounting evidence that the Department is receiving on a near daily basis suggests that the problem identified above at the McIntire School of Commerce is not confined to that component,” a letter sent June 17 read.
“In fact, the [Justice] Department possesses evidence that the use and consideration of race in admissions decisions and the conferring or awarding of student benefits and programming opportunities are widespread practices throughout every component and facet of the institution.”
Mahoney said in the Board meeting that, of three central priorities he has set during his time in the interim position, one is to bring these investigations to a “satisfactory conclusion.” His other priorities include assuring the community that “while political winds may shift” across higher education, the University’s core values, mission and activities will remain the same, and to begin work on longer term priorities which include initiatives promoting free and open inquiry.
He reported to the Board Friday that he had personally “engaged in discussion” with Justice Department officials and said that the University had received two letters from the Department this week sharing that these investigations had been resolved.
“The DOJ's investigatory letters to us have been focused significantly, although not exclusively, on our compliance with [the] Students for Fair Admissions [ruling] and with this board's March 7 resolution regarding illegal discrimination,” Mahoney said. “I've been personally engaged in discussion with the Department's officials, and I'm happy to say that I can report some initial progress.”
Mahoney did not specify why these investigations were closed, but said they were based on information the University has provided to the Justice Department about the University’s policies and actions.
The original letters asked the University to provide admissions data for all applicants in the past five years — in regards to investigations regarding admissions practices. One letter regarding the investigation into antisemitism also asked that the University identify any University employee, faculty member or administrator involved in the incident, which alleged hate-based misconduct against a Jewish student by other students and retaliation against this student by the University.
The documents also requested information regarding the University’s progress on dissolving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and its handling of an alleged occurrence of antisemitic behavior in October 2024. The Board voted to dissolve the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion March 7, following an executive order issued by the Trump administration Jan. 20 which required that public institutions terminate all DEI programs.
The Justice Department’s letters sent prior to Ryan’s resignation asked that the University provide any updates sent by Ryan on the implementation of this directive and certify that all departments at the University comply with federal law. Now, University legal counsel is conducting a review of all University departments to ensure compliance with federal law.
Mahoney also did not specify how many investigations were remaining or what areas of the University the Justice Department is still investigating. A letter sent June 16 notified Board Rector Rachel Sheridan that compliance reviews were being conducted across all schools and of the University’s DEI policies, beyond the now-resolved investigations which began following earlier letters.
“We will continue to work hard to resolve the remaining investigations,” Mahoney said.
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