Communications

Date: Jun 29, 2012

To: All U.Va. Parents

From: Patricia M. Lampkin, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer

Re: A Special Message to Parents of U.Va. Students

Dear Parents:

Thank you for your support over the past three weeks. During this time, the University of Virginia entered the national spotlight due to an unprecedented course of events surrounding the requested resignation and eventual reinstatement of President Teresa Sullivan by the University’s Board of Visitors. Your voices, added to those of alumni and others, have been instrumental in focusing on the key economic and governance issues entwined with the controversy – namely, how to meet the challenges of diminished public financial support for higher education and increasing student debt. Debate and decision-making around these issues will continue with openness, candor and a variety of voices and viewpoints at the table.

What should also be stated clearly is that the quality and excellence of the student experience at U.Va. was never called into question during the controversy. Everyone involved – faculty, alumni, the Board of Visitors and students – agreed that the education being offered to our students on the Grounds is second to none. In Student Affairs, we have always been proud of what we offer and treasure here – a strong undergraduate, residential experience rooted in our values and in human connection. Chief among these values are honor and integrity, self-responsibility and service. These values ultimately rose to the top as the U.Va. community united to resolve a difficult situation with civil discourse and honorable actions.

Together with the University’s faculty and academic leaders, my colleagues and I in Student Affairs remain as committed as we always have been to ensuring that your daughters and sons receive an excellent education, one characterized not only by classroom challenges but also by personal experiences in which they learn about themselves, contribute to the community around them and explore the world beyond them. At U.Va., we seek for every day and virtually every interaction to be a learning experience for our students. Even the events of the past three weeks have served, and no doubt will continue to serve, as a learning opportunity.

If you reached out to us in the last three weeks, I hope you will keep the dialogue going. Your partnership with us in supporting your student, our work, and the mission of the University as a whole is extremely valuable.

We look forward to serving you and your student in coming months, and we hope to see you on Grounds soon. As always, please let us know if you have questions or concerns and how we can be of assistance to you and to your student.

Sincerely,

Patricia M. Lampkin
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer