In an unexpected move on June 10, 2012, the Board of Visitors announced that Teresa A. Sullivan would step down as president of the University of Virginia.
Since that time, the University community has responded passionately with strong opinions on all sides. There have been robust debates about the faculty’s role in University governance, a rally and silent vigil in support of Sullivan, an all-night Board meeting in the Rotunda, and widespread media coverage.
On June 26, the Board of Visitors voted unanimously to reinstate Sullivan to her post.
What follows is a chronological archive of statements, videos, and news coverage, including press releases and email communications from Governor Bob McDonnell, Rector Helen Dragas, President Sullivan, Provost John Simon, the deans of the University’s 11 schools, the Faculty Senate, the Honor Committee, and the Alumni Association.
The statements are organized in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent.
Please address any questions, corrections or requests to webmaster@virginia.edu, or contact Zachary Wheat at (434) 243-2096.
University News and Responses
Mar. 14, 2013
- “College and University Governance: The University of Virginia Governing Board’s Attempt to Remove the President”, a Report from the American Association of University Professors
Mar. 5, 2013
Mar. 4, 2013
Feb. 8, 2013
- U.Va. Rector’s Response to the American Association of University Professor (AAUP) draft report (pdf)
Nov. 12, 2012
Nov. 9, 2012
- Third Amendment to President Sullivan’s Employment Agreement (pdf)
- U.Va. Board Extends Sullivan’s Employment Contract to 2016
- Board of Visitors votes Nov. 9 to extend the president’s contract (video – starts at 5:45)
September 4, 2012
July 16, 2012
- Timeline: Teresa Sullivan’s Resignation and Reinstatement
- Joint Statement from the Rector and the President of the University of Virginia
July 11, 2012
June 29, 2012
- Statement from Helen E. Dragas Regarding U.Va. Board Appointments
- Statement from President Sullivan on board appointments
- George Cohen’s Statement in Response to Governor McDonnell’s Appointments to the Board of Visitors
- U.Va. Scholars Discuss Liberal Education in Light of Recent Events
- New Picks for U.Va. Board Add Breadth of Higher Ed Expertise and Experience; Dragas Reappointed
- Governor McDonnell Announces U.Va. Board of Visitors Appointments
- A Special Message to Parents of U.Va. Students
June 28, 2012
- Social Media Focused on National Spotlight on Sullivan Story
- Statement from Dean Kim Tanzer: A stronger A-school community
- Statement from Dean Dorrie Fontaine: Together. Stronger. Bolder.
June 27, 2012
- Month’s Events Provide a Jump Start for the Faculty Senate
- Statement from Dean James Alyor: A New Beginning
- Statement from Dean Meredith Woo: Moving Forward
June 26, 2012
- President Sullivan Addresses Supporters on the Lawn
- U.Va. Board of Visitors Reinstates Sullivan as President
- Sullivan Reinstate, and Attention Turns to Challenges Ahead
- Statement of Teresa A. Sullivan Addressing Those on the Lawn
- Statement of Teresa A. Sullivan to the Board of Visitors
- Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on the University of Virginia Presidency
- Statement from SCHEV Director Peter Blake Regarding the Reinstatement of Teresa Sullivan
- Resolution to Rescind the Second Amendment to the President’s Employment Agreement
- Statement of Rector Helen Dragas to the Board of Visitors on June 26, 2012
- Remarks by Heywood Fralin to the Board of Visitors
- Board of Visitors Votes to Reinstate Sullivan as President
- U.Va. Board of Visitors Reinstates Sullivan as President
June 25, 2012
- Board of Visitor’s Meeting Tuesday to be Streamed Live
- Letter from the Trustees of the Darden School Foundation
- Letter from the University of Virginia Women’s Center
- “To Fight for the Truth” – Robert Bruner, Dean of the Darden School of Business
- Fill the Lawn with Grace and Dignity: A message from George Cohen, Chair, Faculty Senate
- Darden School Professor Speaks from Her Heart and Mind at UVA Rally for Teresa Sullivan
June 24, 2012
- Rally for Honor Seeks Re-instatement of U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan
- College Foundation Memo to the Board of Visitors
- Statement from Carol Wood, University Spokesperson, in response to the Wall Street Journal Article of June 24
June 23, 2012
- Statement by the following members of the University of Virginia’s Council of Foundations in Support of President Sullivan
- Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on the University of Virginia Presidency
June 22, 2012
- Statement by Rector Dragas in Response to Governor McDonnell
- Zeithaml Steps Back as Interim President-Elect; McDonnell Demands a Resolution
- Statement from Gov. Robert F. McDonnell
- Letter from Gov. McDonnell to the Board of Visitors (PDF)
- U.Va. Dean Carl Zeithaml Meets with the Media Again
» Download the Audio - Clarification regarding the use of a PR firm
- Message from Carl Zeithaml regarding interim presidency
- General Faculty Council: Resolution Calling for the Reinstatement of President Sullivan
- Statement by the Graduate Students in the Corcoran Department of History Regarding President Sullivan’s Resignation
June 21, 2012
- Letter from UVa Faculty who are also Alumni
- Statement of Helen E. Dragas, Rector, University of Virginia
- Statement from Deans of the Colleges, Dean of Admissions, and University Librarian to the Board of Visitors
- Message from President Sullivan on Civility
- In Support of President Sullivan
- Statement of the Chairs of Departments and Directors of Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Virginia
June 20, 2012
- Open Letter from SEAS Department Chairs (PDF)
- Zeithaml: Love for the University Led Him to Accept Interim Presidency
- UVA Faculty Senate electronic and social media portals: now open!
- Interim President-Elect Zeithaml’s Press Conference
» Download the Audio - Faculty Senate Vigil in Support of President Sullivan
- Faculty Senate: A Call to Action
- Email from Carl Zeithaml to McIntire alumni
June 19, 2012
- Vice President Patricia M. Lampkin’s Message to Parents of All Current Students
- Vice Rector Mark Kington’s Letter of Resignation to Gov. McDonnell
- Release from Carl Zeithaml, dean of the McIntire School of Commerce, after being named interim president
- Carl Zeithaml, Dean of the McIntire School of Commerce, Named Interim U.Va. President
- At U.Va., the Longest Days
- U.Va. Today Blog: Late Night Learning
June 18, 2012
- Sullivan’s Statement to the Board of Visitors
- Rector Helen Dragas’ opening statement of the special Board of Visitors meeting
- Student Representative Statement to Board of Visitors
- U.Va. Today Blog: Faculty Senate Posts Video of Sunday Meeting
- Faculty Senate Executive Council statement on its meeting with Board
June 17, 2012
- Faculty Senate Ratifies No-Confidence Vote
- Provost John Simon’s Address to the Faculty Senate
- Non-Voting Student BOV Member Hillary Hurd’s Statement to Students
- Honor Committee statement on Board’s handling of Sullivan’s resignation
- General Faculty Council: Resolution on the Resignation of President Sullivan
June 15, 2012
- Email from Tom Faulders, President of the Alumni Association, to Alumni
- Email from Paul G. Mahoney, Dean, School of Law
- Open Letter to the Board of Visitors from the School of Nursing faculty senators and chairs
- UVA Faculty Senate to Meet in Emergency Session on Sunda
- Response of the College of Arts & Sciences Steering Committee
- Student Council’s Request to the Board of Visitors
June 14, 2012
- Faculty Declares Lack of Confidence in Rector, Vice Rector, Board
- Peter Kiernan offers public letter, resigns from Darden Foundation Board of Trustees
- Provost Employee Communication Council Resolution on the Board of Visitors Decision Concerning President Sullivan
- Email from Steven DeKosky, VP/Dean, School of Medicine
- Email from Edward Howell, VP/CEO, U.Va. Medical Center, to Friends of the Medical Center
- Message to the U.Va. Community from EVP/Provost John Simon and EVP/COO Michael Strine
- Response from Rector Helen Dragas to members of U.Va. Faculty
June 13, 2012
- Board to Meet Monday to Consider Interim President Candidates
- President Sullivan’s Strategic Plan (Originally Drafted May 3, 2012)
- Email from Architecture Dean Kim Tanzer to Architecture Alumni
- Email from McIntire Dean Carl Zeithaml
June 12, 2012
- Student Board of Visitors representative supports Sullivan’s resignation
- Open Letter from Arts & Sciences Chairs and Program Directors
- Email from Nursing Dean Dorrie Fontaine
June 11, 2012
- Vice President Patricia M. Lampkin’s Message to Division of Student Affairs
- Student Council’s Statement on the Departure of President Sullivan
- Faculty Senate Statement
- Email from Curry Dean Bob Pianta
- Email from Arts & Sciences Dean Meredith Woo
June 10, 2012
- Gov. Bob McDonnell’s statement on President Sullivan stepping down
- Email from Engineering Dean James Aylor
- Email from Darden Dean Robert Bruner
- Teresa Sullivan To Step Down Aug. 15 as U.Va. President
- Rector Dragas’ Remarks to VPs and Deans
- Full Text of Email Announcing Sullivan’s Stepping Down
May 3, 2012
News Coverage of Reinstatement
Nov. 9, 2012
- Teresa Sullivan, U-Va. president, given contract extension (Washington Post)
- UVa Extends President Sullivan’s Contract After Rocky Summer (Chronicle of Higher Education)
September 21, 2012
- U-Va. board to accreditors: “There is no more explanation to give.” (Washington Post)
September 12, 2012
- The UVa Drama Just Won’t Quit (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
September 11, 2012
- What the Failed Removal of U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan Means for Higher Education (New York Times)
August 15, 2012
- U-Va. shows that what we have here is failure to communicate (Washington Post)
August 8, 2012
July 31, 2012
- McDonnell puts more educators on university boards after U-Va. crisis (Washington Post)
July 29, 2012
- U.Va. emails reveal efforts at damage control in president’s ouster (Richmond Times Dispatch)
July 28, 2012
July 11, 2012
July 2, 2012
- Board members’ gifts to U.Va. exceed $77 million (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Dragas reappointment won’t quiet U.Va. unrest (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Ligon: U.Va. community recognized Sullivan’s leadership (commentary) (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Teresa Sullivan Reinstated (WCAV CBS 19)
July 1, 2012
- UVa. upheaval: 18 days of leadership crisis (Washington Post)
- University of Virginia: Striking image (editorial) (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Heywood Fralin a big cog in UVa machine (commentary) (Roanoke Times)
- UVA Student Council Fails to Reach Consensus (WVIR NBC-29)
June 30, 2012
- McDonnell reappoints Dragas to U.Va. board (Virginian-Pilot)
June 29, 2012
- UVa Reaps Donations After Reinstating President; Purdue Loses Major Gift Over Daniels Appointment (Chronicle of Philanthropy blog)
- Social media played integral part in pro Sullivan movement (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
- Sullivan’s reinstatement inspires a flood of donations to UVa. (Washington Post blog)
- Husband, wife donate $2.2M to UVa in wake of Sullivan reinstatement (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
- Commentary: Trouble With Transparency (Inside Higher Ed)
June 28, 2012
- Commentary: Covering unpleasantness at U.Va. (Virginian-Pilot)
- Pro-Sullivan donations come in as UVa takes a post-crisis breath (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
- Full impact of U.Va. crisis not yet known (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Commentary: Leading UVa. back to the top (Washington Post)
- Governor McDonnell Vetting Candidates for UVA Board of Visitors (WVIR NBC-29)
- UVa Historians Analyzing Impacts of Sullivan Saga (WCAV CBS 19)
June 27, 2012
- UVA has its president back. But the fight to save our universities has only just begun (Slate.com)
- What We Learned at UVa (Chronicle of Higher Education blog)
- U. Va. quiet, contemplative a day after board vote (WTTG Fox5 Washington, D.C.)
- UVa’s Faculty Leaders Gain New Power After President Is Reinstated (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Public Universities Grapple with Money, Technology and Mission (PBS NewsHour)
- U.Va. turmoil had one benefit – energizing alumni (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Timeline of the U.Va. crisis (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- A day to remember at Jefferson’s Academical Village (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Rebuilding Mr. Jefferson’s University (Inside Higher Ed)
- UVa’s Accreditor Says Sullivan Ouster Has ‘Raised Questions’ About Compliance (WCAV CBS 19)
- EDITORIAL: With Sullivan’s recall, UVa. can begin looking at its future (Washington Post)
- EDITORIAL: The right end to U.Va.’s chaos (Virginian-Pilot)
- University of Virginia reinstates Teresa Sullivan (Marketplace.org)
- UVA Board of Visitors Reinstates Sullivan as President (WVIR NBC-29)
- Elation, renewed commitment mark reaction to Sullivan’s return (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
- UVa Board Reinstates Ousted President After Outcry (Associated Press)
- Admissions 101: Will uproar make UVa. less popular? (Washington Post blog)
- Historic day at UVa: Sullivan reinstated after two weeks of turmoil ( Charlottesville Daily Progress)
June 26, 2012
- University Board Reinstates Leader (Wall Street Journal)
- UVa. student: We staked it out and we won’t (video) (Washington Post)
- U-Va. board votes to reinstate Teresa Sullivan (Washington Post)
- Board Reinstates University Of Virginia’s President (NPR)
- U. Va. Board of Visitors votes unanimously to reinstate Teresa Sullivan (Virginia Business Magazine)
- U-Va. board votes to reinstate Teresa Sullivan (Washington Post)
- U.Va. board reverses decision, brings back Sullivan (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- UVa. President Teresa Sullivan reinstated (USA Today)
- Teresa Sullivan speaks after being reinstated U-Va. President (Washington Post)
- Ousted Head of University is Reinstated in Virginia (The New York Times)
- UVa. controversy: How are top public universities governed? (Washington Post blog)
- In Midst of Controversy UVA Archives Works to Preserve History (WVIR NBC-29)
- Fixing College (New York Times)
- UVa Faculty Senate Urges “Grace and Dignity” (WHSV ABC-3)
- UVa.: What the showdown will and won’t resolve (Washington Post blog)
- Public Universities See Familiar Fight at Virginia (New York Times)
- Disruptive Innovation: Rhetoric or Reality? (Inside Higher Ed)
- In UVa. Community, Sullivan Quickly Won Wide Support (OregonLive.com)
- Prospective, Current UVa Students not Negatively Affected by Sullivan Saga (WCAV CBS 19)
- University of Virginia student leaders stop short of saying ‘Reinstate Sullivan’ (Washington Post blog)
- The Right Way to Lead Higher Education Through the Digital Age (Chronicle of Higher Education blog)
- Trustees of Darden School Foundation Support UVa Deans’ Message (WCAV CS 19)
June 25, 2012
- Back to the Future for UVa (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Trustees for key U.Va. foundation back Sullivan (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- Teresa Sullivan: The ousted U-Va. leader who may regain the post (Washington Post)
- Who’s Who on the U.Va.’s governing board (Washington Post)
- What UVa needs after the Sullivan mess (Washington Post blog)
- Defending the Humanities (Inside Higher Ed)
- High Noon at the Rotunda (Inside Higher Ed)
- The University of Virginia — ground zero for change (Washington Post)
- Question in UVa. tumult: What should premier public universities be? (Washington Post)
- How the New Yorker’s Atul Gawande Caused the Debacle at UVA (CBS News)
- What would Thomas Jefferson think of the UVa. turmoil? (Washington Post)
- University of Virginia students feel betrayed after ouster of Teresa Sullivan (Washington Post)
- Disputed ouster of UVA president could be ‘teachable moment’ (USA Today)
- WTJU Community Mic Call Ins on President Sullivan/BOV Issue
Call In One
Call In Two
Call In Three
Call In Four
Call In Five
June 24, 2012
- The Virginia Fracas: U.Va.’s faculty revolts when the trustees move against the status quo (Wall Street Journal)
- Statement from President and former President of Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni (Cavalier Daily)
- Sunday on the Lawn, Rally for Honor
- UVa admissions critique fails to consider important context (Daily Progress)
- At University of Virginia, Sullivan supporters rally for hours (Washington Post)
- The University of Virginia: Tough times (Richmond Times Dispatch Editorial)
- Wounded UVa can be repaired (Daily Progress)
- Rally held in support of ousted U.Va. president (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- A look at the board of visitors (Richmond Times Dispatch)
June 23, 2012
- U.Va.’s interim president addresses challenges for the first time (NBC 29)
- How the New Yorker’s Atul Gawande Caused the Debacle at UVA (CBS News)
- Disputed outser of UVa. president could be ‘teachable moment’ (USA Today)
- Social Media Becomes Outlet for Sullivan Support (NBC 29)
- UVA Arts & Sciences Dean Responds to Rumors of Cuts (NBC 29)
June 22, 2012
- Gov. McDonnell Statement, Wants Clear Action from BOV Tues (WCAV CBS 19)
- U.Va. board to reconsider Sullivan ouster (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- UVa Board to Consider Reinstating Ousted President (ABC News)
- Sullivan reinstatement considered; interim president suspends role (Washington Post)
- U-Va. dean tapped for interim president suspends preparations for new job (Washington Post)
- UVA’s Ouster: A Symptom of Our “Reboot” Culture (TIME)
- McDonnell Releases Statement on UVA Presidency, Letter to BOV (NBC 29)
- Helen Dragas: The leader who forced out U-Va.’s president (Washington Post)
- The University of Virginia: Why I still have faith in my alma mater (Washington Post)
- Are Public Universities Still Public? (NPR)
- Ouster of UVA president was justified — Sullivan’s dismissal highlights what’s wrong with higher education today (Fox News)
- Zeithaml steps aside, ends negotiations with UVA Board of Visitors (C-ville Weekly)
- U-Va. board to reconsider President Sullivan’s employment (Washington Post)
- What If Sullivan Is Reinstated? Experts Consider How Power Dynamics Could Change at UVa (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Zeithaml takes interim UVa. role under fire, says he didn’t support decision to remove Sullivan (Washington Post blog)
- U-Va prof: Why governing board gets an ‘F’ for Sullivan ‘project’ (Washington Post blog)
- The Decline and Fall of a Public University: How Status Anxiety Doomed the University of Virginia (The Plank on TNR.com blog)
June 21, 2012
- U.Va.’s interim president addresses challenges for the first time (Inside Higher Ed)
- The Worrisome Ascendance of Business in Higher Education (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Ouster of UVA president was justified — Sullivan’s dismissal highlights what’s wrong with higher education today (Fox News.com)
- The Decline and Fall of a Public University: How Status Anxieties Doomed the University of Virginia (The New Republic)
- Teresa Sullivan University Of Virginia Ouster Led By Political Donors Lacking Academic Experience (Daily Me)
- Lag in online learning worried U.Va. board’s leaders (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Howell says legislative inquiry on U.Va. is premature (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Interim U.Va. president says he opposes Sullivan’s ouster (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Craig: What Would Jefferson Do? UVa Community must have its say (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Gibson: What Would Jefferson Do? How secrecy backfires (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Neal: What Would Jefferson Do? Time to innovate or die (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- U.Va. no UMW (The Free Lance-Star)
- Supporters Quietly Plot Teresa Sullivan’s Return as President of UVa (The Ticker – The Chronicle of Higher Education)
- PERSPECTIVE: UVa board needs to be more transparent (Culpeper Star-Exponent)
- Interim UVa president: Choice was hard (Roanoke.com)
- 2 New Resignations Rock the University of Virginia (New York Times)
- American Association of University Professors Investigation (PDF)
- Sullivan’s severance — one year sabbatical plus offer of professorship (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
June 20, 2012
- U.Va. board members aim to reinstate Sullivan (HamptonRoads.com)
- UVA community continues push to reinstate ousted president (NBC12 News)
- “Expertise Is So 20th Century” (Daily Me)
- New University of Virginia head says president’s firing a mistake (Washington Examiner)
- McDonnell noncommittal on reappointing U.Va. rector (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- Jeff’s Notes: U.Va. soap opera (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- University Uproar: Ouster of UVA President Draws Fire (Time.com)
- UPDATE: U.Va. interim president does not support Sullivan ouster (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- UVa’s interim president seeks to rebuild trust (Inside Nova)
- U.Va.’s vice rector resigns; Sullivan severance detailed (WSLS 10)
- U.Va.’s vice rector resigns; Sullivan severance detailed (The News & Advance)
- UVa’s interim president seeks to rebuild trust (Washington Examiner)
- Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Calls For UVA Board To Resign (Wusa9.com)
- UVA Faculty Senate Organizes Fight for Sullivan’s Reinstatement (NBC29)
- Delegate offers to pay for U.Va. probe (HamptonRoads.com – Blogs)
- U.Va’s new interim president says he doesn’t support board’s decision to remove Sullivan (Virginia Business)
- Emails showed U.Va. board feared university lagged in online courses (Richmond Times Dispatch)
June 19, 2012
- Interim president chosen for UVa (Associated Press )
June 18, 2012
- U.Va. board faces test over Sullivan’s ouster (Richmond Times Dispatch)
- OP-ED: Aspiring to achieve greatness (Paul Tudor Jones II) (Charlottesville Daily Progress)
- UVa. faculty hold raucous meeting over ousted president (Washington Post)
June 14, 2012
June 13, 2012
June 11, 2012
- University of Virginia president to step down (Washington Post)
- Early Exit at U. of Virginia (Inside Higher Ed)
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