The University of Virginia struck a deal with the Trump administration to cease hiring discrimination in order to pause the Department of Justice investigations into its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
Since President Donald Trump took office, many top U.S. universities have been under intense pressure from the Trump administration over allegations of antisemitism on campus and criticism of DEI policies. Interim UVA President Paul Mahoney, who took over in August, assured students that the move wouldn’t interfere with the school’s commitment to academic freedom.
“We intend to continue our thorough review of our practices and policies to ensure that we are complying with all federal laws,” Mahoney wrote.
“We will also redouble our commitment to the principles of academic freedom, ideological diversity, free expression, and the unyielding pursuit of ‘truth, wherever it may lead,’ as Thomas Jefferson put it. Through this process, we will do everything we can to assure our community, our partners in state and federal government, and the public that we are worthy of the trust they place in us and the resources they provide us to advance our education, research, and patient care mission,” he added.
More work is being done with the DOJ to satisfy its requirements, Mahoney said, but he’s “optimistic” that talks will go well.
The announcement came days after the university declined to sign on to the Department of Education’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
UVA Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan said the university would retain its autonomy under the deal.
UVA INSTALLS INTERIM PRESIDENT AFTER PREDECESSOR RESIGNED UNDER TRUMP PRESSURE
“This agreement allows UVA to move forward together, upholding the University’s principles and independence while maintaining the essential research partnership with the federal government,” she said. “This has been a challenging time for many institutions in higher education, including UVA. The agreement results from steadfast adherence to the same values that have guided generations of UVA’s leaders and that we have honored as stewards of that legacy.”
The UVA has balanced negotiations with the DOJ while retaining the confidence of students and faculty, a difficult task that has unseated many university heads. Former UVA President James Ryan abruptly resigned in June after the school came under federal investigation.
