PARTING SHOT: Thank you for trusting us
By Ford McCracken | May 15, 2026I observed a gradual — but noticeable — shift. The University community began to trust us, to realize what we could do with few resources and less experience.
I observed a gradual — but noticeable — shift. The University community began to trust us, to realize what we could do with few resources and less experience.
Youngkin and Earle-Sears appear to have stood alone in congratulatory reactions from state officials, as Democrats moved quickly to say they were not backing down from the fight to stop the appointment.
The deans said that naming a president should be paused until the Board can establish the “conditions of trust” necessary for the next president to succeed.
After submitting a six-section Freedom of Information Act Request to the University Sept. 18, State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, received 284 pages of records Oct. 29, pertaining to former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation this summer.
This affirms the authority of Virginia Senate Democrats, who have blocked over 20 of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointments to university governing boards since June.
“I concur fully with President Ryan’s recollection of events,” former Board Rector Robert Hardie said.
In the letter, Spanberger urged the Board to hold off on selecting finalists in the search and not to appoint a president until she has filled five current vacancies.
After nearly four years in office, here is an overview of how Youngkin changed Virginia.
To get a more complete account of what took place, The Cavalier Daily reviewed court transcripts and other documents in addition to speaking to four residents of the house where the alleged incidents took place.
University leaders defended their deal with the Justice Department in a new letter sent to Charlottesville’s legislators Monday, arguing that it is a better deal than other universities have made and that it does not threaten the University’s autonomy.