UVA Board Criticized for Rushed Presidential Appointment Lacking Input

WASHINGTON

AAUP President Todd Wolfson and AFT President Randi Weingarten have expressed their concerns following the University of Virginia Board of Visitors' decision to appoint a new president. The announcement of Scott Beardsley as the new president has sparked controversy within the UVA community.

According to Wolfson and Weingarten, the decision was made hastily and without sufficient input from faculty members, which they consider an affront to the university community during a challenging period. The community and the newly elected governor had sought more involvement, but the Board of Visitors proceeded with what has been described as an opaque process, leaving unresolved issues regarding the dismissal of former president James Ryan.

The Board of Visitors has faced criticism for not safeguarding the university against political influences from the Trump administration. Both the UVA Faculty Senate and the Student Council have passed votes of no confidence in the board. Currently, the board is missing several members, has been operating in secrecy, and has significantly limited faculty participation in the search for a new president. Despite calls to pause the process and ensure a fair and transparent search, the board has moved forward with the appointment without a fully constituted membership, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the decision. The appointment is expected to face ongoing challenges in the coming months.

The AAUP guidelines emphasize the importance of resisting closed and secretive searches, involving faculty representatives in every stage of the search process, and allowing the entire faculty and campus community to engage with finalists. An open and comprehensive selection process is crucial for identifying candidates with the academic leadership and administrative expertise required to lead the university successfully.