WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of the University of Virginia, James Ryan, announced his resignation on Friday, citing overwhelming pressure from conservative critics and the Trump administration over the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Ryan, who has led the institution since 2018, stated he would step down rather than “fight the federal government.”
The resignation marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape higher education, particularly at public universities. This move expands the administration’s focus beyond Ivy League schools, targeting DEI initiatives rather than accusations of antisemitism tolerance.
Ryan faced criticism for allegedly ignoring federal directives to dismantle DEI policies. The Justice Department reportedly pushed for his removal amid its investigation into the university, according to an anonymous source who spoke to The Associated Press.
Pressure from the Trump Administration
In a statement to the university community, Ryan expressed his reluctance to leave, emphasizing his commitment to the institution. “To make a long story short, I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University,” he said. “But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my job.”
Ryan had already planned to step down next year, but he concluded that staying on would mean “knowingly and willingly sacrificing this community.” The New York Times first reported on the resignation, and the Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.
According to Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, Ryan’s removal exemplifies the Trump administration’s use of “thuggery instead of rational discourse.” Mitchell described the situation as “a dark day for the University of Virginia, a dark day for higher education, and it promises more of the same.”
Political Reactions and Policy Implications
Virginia’s Democratic senators, Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, condemned the administration’s actions, calling them “outrageous” and detrimental to Virginia’s future. They criticized the administration for demanding Ryan’s resignation over what they termed “‘culture war’ traps.”
Following a campaign promise to end “wokeness” in education, Trump signed an executive order in January to eliminate DEI programs nationwide. The Education Department has since launched investigations into numerous colleges, arguing that diversity initiatives discriminate against white and Asian American students.
The response from educational institutions has been varied. Some have closed DEI offices, ended diversity scholarships, or removed diversity statements from hiring processes. Others have rebranded DEI efforts under different names, while some have maintained their diversity policies.
The University of Virginia became a focal point after conservative critics accused it of merely renaming its DEI initiatives. The university’s governing body voted to close the DEI office in March, ending diversity policies in admissions, hiring, financial aid, and other areas. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the decision, declaring that “DEI is done at the University of Virginia.”
Conservative Advocacy and University Leadership
America First Legal, a conservative group founded by Trump aide Stephen Miller, played a significant role in the controversy. In a letter to the Justice Department, the group accused the university of failing to dismantle DEI programs, opting instead to “rename, repackage, and redeploy the same unlawful infrastructure under a lexicon of euphemisms.”
The group criticized Ryan for joining hundreds of other college presidents in signing a public statement condemning the Trump administration’s “overreach and political interference.” On Friday, the group reiterated its commitment to challenging what it views as discriminatory systems.
“This week’s developments make clear: public universities that accept federal funds do not have a license to violate the Constitution,” said Megan Redshaw, an attorney at America First Legal. “They do not get to impose ideological loyalty tests, enforce race and sex-based preferences, or defy lawful executive authority.”
James Ryan’s Tenure and Broader Context
James Ryan, who took the helm at the University of Virginia in 2018, previously served as the dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Earlier in his career, he spent over a decade as a law professor at the University of Virginia. His biography on Harvard’s website credits him with enhancing the “size, strength, and diversity” of the faculty, highlighting his commitment to building a diverse community.
Until now, the Trump administration’s focus has largely been on elite institutions like Harvard University, perceived as liberal strongholds. Harvard has faced significant financial pressure, losing over $2.6 billion in federal research grants amid its disputes with the government. The administration has also attempted to restrict the university from hosting foreign students and threatened its tax-exempt status.
While Harvard’s substantial $53 billion endowment provides a buffer against financial pressures, public universities like the University of Virginia, with a $10 billion endowment, are more reliant on taxpayer funding and thus potentially more vulnerable.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
