The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors is pushing ahead with its search for the university’s 10th president , despite facing numerous votes of no confidence and calls to stop the search until Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is inaugurated on Jan. 14, 2026.
On Nov. 12, Spanberger sent a letter to Rector Rachel Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson, stating that the Board’s actions “have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University.”
She asked the Board not to name a new president until she has appointed — and the General Assembly has confirmed — five new members so that the Board is in compliance with Virginia law, which requires the Board to have 17 members, including at least 12 Virginia residents and 12 UVA alumni. (There are currently 12 Board members, including 9 Virginia residents and 9 UVA alumni.) Spanberger added that she will make her appointments soon after her inauguration.
Two days later, UVA’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution echoing Spanberger’s request to pause the search until all Board seats are filled. The resolution also called for Sheridan’s and Wilkinson’s resignation.
But on Nov. 21, the 28-person Special Committee on the Nomination of a President — established by the Board in late July to help select Jim Ryan’s replacement — said in two letters to the Faculty Senate that it would continue the search, adding that it had already completed the first round of interviews for the position.
In response, nine of UVA’s 14 academic deans wrote a letter to the Board on Dec. 1, citing low confidence in its leadership and again asking them to pause the search. On Dec. 12, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution stating that anyone chosen as UVA’s 10th president by the current Board will assume the role with no confidence from the Senate.
But the Board has continued to push ahead despite the vocal opposition. The body held another search committee meeting on Dec. 11, and will hold two special meetings on Dec. 19 and Jan. 6 to discuss candidates for the presidency.
Take action
UVA’s Board of Visitors is holding public meetings to discuss candidates for its next president
The Board will hold two special meetings on Dec. 19 and Jan. 6, 2026 to discuss candidates for the presidency. The Dec. 19 meeting will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 2420 Old Ivy Road, Conference Room 119. The meeting is open to the public, but there will be limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Jan. 6, 2026 meeting will take place in the same location, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
While we can’t cover every story that’s important to you, we do our best to be responsive to your needs. We use tips from readers to choose which stories to cover, to incorporate information into broader reports or to help us decide how to grow Charlottesville Tomorrow. Here’s where you can tell us what you think we should be covering.
More about federal government intervention at UVA
UVA’s deal with DOJ avoids monetary fines, but lawyers and faculty say it comes at a steep cost
“The underlying theme of what’s happening is that they’re trying to exclude voices and ideas,” Chris Ford, a contracts lawyer and UVA alumnus, said.
Faculty say UVA is quietly negotiating a deal with the DOJ. Here’s what’s at stake.
A settlement between UVA and the Department of Justice could reshape community partnerships with local nonprofits, enrollment, hiring practices and more.
The federal government cut $64 million in grants at UVA. Here’s what it means for the community
From clean energy and farming to blues music and youth mentorship, dozens of UVA programs tied to federal grants have been abruptly halted — leaving students, researchers, and community leaders questioning what’s next.
‘This is our university’: UVA faculty, lawmakers push back against Jim Ryan’s forced exit
“This is a significant blow to academic freedom at the University of Virginia,” said UVA professor Walt Heinecke. “It was an extralegal process of trying to fire our president for ideological and political reasons. And we intend on resisting it.”
More local News
Hollymead Principal McCauley not returning, school to eliminate social emotional learning coach role, interim superintendent says
In the wake of the arrest of a former Hollymead SEL coach on charges of sexual crimes involving children, McCauley was placed on administrative leave.
For Fifeville residents, the fight over a seven-story luxury student housing complex isn’t over yet
After finding out that there is no legal mechanism for City Council to re-vote on The Mark, Fifeville residents are exploring their options to continue to advocate for the future of their neighborhood.
Where to go to stay cool in central Virginia during this week’s extreme heat
As high temperatures and humidity create a dangerous mix, cooling centers are opening up in central Virginia to keep community members safe.
Virginia has high vaccination rates. Why do we have a large measles outbreak?
Some community members don’t have easy access to vaccines, while others might look to their neighbors for advice, explains Jennifer Reich, a sociologist who has studied vaccine hesitancy.
Farewell, fines — Jefferson-Madison Regional Library to drop overdue fees for most items starting July 1
“If overdue fines are keeping them from walking through the door, we want to remove that barrier,” said JMRL director David Plunkett. “That’s the whole point.”
