University of Virginia’s president resigned amid a Department of Justice probe into the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to reports from The New York Times.
James Ryan’s resignation will be effective “no later than August 15,” a person familiar with the matter told the Times.
University board members had alleged the school was not in compliance with President Trump’s January executive order barring DEI practices at institutions that receive federal funding.
Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, wrote a letter to Ryan on April 28 saying the office had received complaints the university’s administration had failed to follow Trump’s directive.
The Times reported that the DOJ wrote another letter on June 17 saying, “Time is running short, and the department’s patience is wearing thin.”
A university spokesperson told the outlet, “UVA is committed to complying with all federal laws and has been cooperating with the Department of Justice in the ongoing inquiries. The federal government’s support of the University is essential to continue the core mission of research, education and clinical care.”
Ryan served as the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education before joining the University of Virginia in August 2018.
