Ryan to remain on UVA faculty following post-resignation sabbatical

President Jim Ryan’s resignation from the University of Virginia will be effective July 11 but he won’t be going far.

“After his departure, Ryan will begin a sabbatical before returning to UVA as a full professor in the School of Law and the School of Education and Human Development,” said Deputy Spokesperson Bethanie Glover.

Ryan announced his resignation on June 27 following an ultimatum from the United States Department of Justice that he had not sufficiently dismantled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.

The Board of Visitors also issued a sentence thanking them for Ryan for his service. The group was to have met yesterday in a virtual meeting but the event was abruptly cancelled.

“The board will conduct a nationwide search for UVA’s next leader and will seek input from stakeholders across the UVA community,” the statement continues.

On June 30, former Rector Robert Hardie and new Rector Rachel Sheridan sent an email notifying the public of who would take over.

“Pursuant to UVA’s Continuity of Operations Plan, Jennifer ‘J.J.’ Wagner Davis, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of acting president upon the effective date of President Ryan’s resignation,” reads the email.

Brie Gertler is currently serving as interim Provost and interim executive vice president following the resignation of Ian Baucom to become president of Middlebury College. That appointment became effective today.

“When the office of the presidency becomes vacant, the Board manual requires that the Rector promptly form and convene a search committee that will identify and recommend a new president to the Board,” the joint email continued.

The pair wrote that they understand and share the sorrow many have had with the sudden resignation of a president. However, the two said UVA must continue working toward the goals of the 2030 Strategic Plan.

“We must continue to invest in supporting our exceptional students, faculty, and staff who form the heart of this vibrant community; we must ensure that our community is one where open dialogue, innovative research, and academic freedom not only persist but flourish; and, as a public research university, we must maintain our partnership with the Commonwealth and the federal government,” the email continued.

Before you go: This post is assembled from two stories that ran this week in Charlottesville Community Engagement. This is a work of Town Crier Productions, an information company of one that seeks to inform the community. Learn more about how you can support the work.