Spanberger Tries To Strong-Arm UVA, Stack Board Her Way Before New President Picked

Virginia’s Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has reportedly stalled the University of Virginia’s (UVA) president search with the intention of packing the university’s Board of Visitors before the decision can be made.

UVA’s previous president, Jim Ryan, resigned in June over pressure from the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the school was under investigation due to its alleged illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Spanberger wrote in a letter sent to the board on Wednesday that she was “deeply concerned” by the events and insisted the board not take any further actions in its search until she enters office and appoints five new members, according to The Washington Post.

“The search for a university president is the most consequential action a university board can undertake, and in all cases, such a search must be conducted through a legitimate and transparent process,” Spanberger wrote. “Accordingly, I urge you to refrain from rushing this search process and from selecting the finalists for the presidency or a president until the Board is at full complement and in statutory compliance, meaning that I have appointed and the General Assembly has confirmed new Board members. As it will be a priority of my administration to stabilize and normalize the leadership of our public colleges and universities, I will make appointments soon after my inauguration.”

“University leaders and the Board of Visitors are reviewing the letter and are ready to engage with the Governor-elect and to work alongside her and her team to advance the best interests of UVA and the Commonwealth,” UVA spokesman Brian Coy told the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation.