<p>Just received an email that President Sullivan is stepping down in August.....philosophical differences with the Board.</p>
<p>Sorry…I should have cited the source. It was an email to parents/alums from Helen Dragas (University Rector).</p>
<p>This will be fascinating to observe, regarding what comes out. I don’t recall any press reports about public disputes or “differences”. Was there evidence that she wanted to take the school in some significantly different direction, for example?</p>
<p>Comments from the Rector: </p>
<p>[Rector</a> Dragas’ Remarks to VPs and Deans](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=18791]Rector”>http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=18791)</p>
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This decision, it would appear, has been driven primarily by “philosophical differences in opinion” revolving around finances. I truly have no clue about the financial operations of large public research institutes. I am curious, though, if there are other publics (or I suppose privates for that matter) who are similar to UVA that are weathering these difficult times with greater efficiency/success. If so, what are they doing differently that might serve as a model?</p>
<p>My impression was that President Sullivan was popular among the staff and students. She had a huge role in successfully running a much larger University of Michigan before she came to UVa. </p>
<p>According to the press release, she wasn’t willing to change as much or as fast as the Board wanted.</p>
<h2>“The Board believes this environment calls for a much faster pace of change in administrative structure, in governance, in financial resource development and in resource prioritization and allocation. We do not believe we can even maintain our current standard under a model of incremental, marginal change. The world is simply moving too fast.”</h2>
<p>This is ironic considering the old joke: </p>
<p>“How many Virginians does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Six - one to change it, and five to complain how much better the old one was.”</p>
<p>By the way, Julian Bond is ending his teaching at UVa after 21 years. </p>
<p>That was always a great trivia question: What UVa professor guest-hosted Saturday Night Live?</p>
<p>Answer: Julian Bond, in the 1970s.</p>
<p>I’ve checked in with a couple people, and they are shocked and “blindsided”, including one person who should have known if there was a conflict, but did not.</p>
<p>Donations to the U. are up from last year. </p>
<p>I’m guessing it had to do with McDonnell-appointed Boardmembers who wanted more of a market-based approach. One of those boardmembers is Pat Robertson’s son, while a couple others are land developers and owners of large amounts of real estate. Sullivan was appointed by former boardmembers appointed by Gov. Kaine. </p>
<p>Some of these boardmembers want more variation in tuition among programs based upon demand. </p>
<p>Some apparently want to get rid of need-blind admissions and meeting financial need for out of state students. The U. did a consulting study on financial aid and so far it is not recommending any major changes, according to the meeting minutes that have been released so far. </p>
<p>There is also a move to have each department stand on its own, as far as financing.</p>
<p>In addition, the Board talks about spending money to recruit “rock star” professors</p>
<p>According to the Polls, Ken Cuccinelli is likely to be the Republican nonimee for Governor next year. He has continually been at war with UVa, as attorney general.</p>
<p>Charlie – with all due respect, let’s get some additional information before wildly speculating on “political motives” for this surprising turn of events. I too am surprised and saddened by the turn of events, because in meeting Mrs. Sullivan on several occasions I found her smart, sincere, and a welcome new perspective. That said, I have not evaluated her on matters other than those of concern to a parent.</p>
<p>As I recall, though I am not going back to research this, the Rector and Vice Rector are appointees of Mark Warner – a Democrat. There has been nothing said so far that suggests politics is behind this. Gov. McDonnell issued a statement today highly supportive of Teresa Sullivan.</p>
<p>I find it out of line for you, who has chosen NOT to live in VA, to time and time again comment disparagingly on this board about politics in the Commonwealth. If you don’t like the current situation, either move here and vote accordingly or severe your ties. Sitting in PA shooting spitballs, is neither becoming to you nor beneficial to our state or The University.</p>
<p>AVA: You are more than welcome to criticize my Governor and my legislature (smile).</p>
<p>The Chronicle of Higher Education has an article posted on this subject. Here was one of the comments, which sounds plausible to me:</p>
<h2>"My read of the Board’s comments is that they expected Sullivan to cut deeply into various parts of the budget, to tackle the (admittedly rather fossilized) administrative hierarchy, and to cheerfully accept many more students… in-person <em>and</em> online (something on which I have commented quite a lot, recently!). One must bear in mind that some VA schools like Liberty University are faring very well with their online ventures, so perhaps UVa’s Board is unable to see why UVa is so reluctant to jump headfirst into online education… "</h2>
<p>Note - that the two Universities in Va. that offer huge numbers of online-only classes are Regent University (Pat Robertson and law school alma of the Gov) and Liberty University (Jerry Falwell). </p>
<p>Also I believe that UVa did not increase the enrollment of this year’s entering first year class. The stated policy had been that enrollment would increase each year to meet the Governor’s goals - assuming the state provided compensating revenues for the additional students. I’m guessing that the U. didn’t feel the state was coming through on their part of the bargain, so they put the enrollment increase on hold for at least one year.</p>
<p>[Sullivan’s</a> dismissal a sign of the times? | Daily Progress](<a href=“http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/jun/10/sullivans-dismissal-sign-times-ar-1979307/]Sullivan’s”>http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/jun/10/sullivans-dismissal-sign-times-ar-1979307/)</p>
<p>Article above interviews officials who were shocked and surprised by the decision - and didn’t see it coming.</p>
<p>Her husband is now a UVa Law prof - so she may stay around Cville. </p>
<p>IF she really did need to be replaced, it is bad that the Board didn’t let her leave with dignity. She could have been allowed to announce that she would retire on her own at the end of the year (she is around 63). That would have allowed time for a smooth transition with the next President. Instead, she is being shoved out the door, and is just using her vacation time until she officially leaves.</p>
<p>Here is the actual Chronicle article, for those who would like to read the story rather than comment excerpts. </p>
<p>[Teresa</a> Sullivan Abruptly Resigns as President of UVa - Leadership & Governance - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“Teresa Sullivan Abruptly Resigns as President of UVa”>Teresa Sullivan Abruptly Resigns as President of UVa)</p>
<p>Charlie, our local news reported that Sullivan and Laycock have already been offered positions at four universities. Michigan, Duke, U of C and Berkely. Why they would remain escapes me.</p>
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<p>Wait what? So OOS students can’t comment on the affairs of their own school now, if affected by domestic politics?</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that 4 universities would be able to offer high level jobs THAT FAST over a weekend to two professionals. I can understand that U. of Michigan would love to have her back.</p>
<p>I’m really glad Theresa and her husband have been offered positions at so many universities.</p>
<p>Me too, hazel. </p>
<p>The fact that this was only announced yesterday does not mean that President Sullivan was unaware of how precarious her tenure was. While I was not the biggest fan of President Sullivan, I am less a fan of the BOV for this abrupt dismissal with no plan in place.</p>
<p>Charlie - sabaray is correct. NBC29 reported the following yesterday:</p>
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</p>
<p>[Teresa</a> Sullivan to Step Down as President of UVA - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather](<a href=“http://www.nbc29.com/story/18748978/teresa-sullivan-to-step-down-as-president-of-uva]Teresa”>http://www.nbc29.com/story/18748978/teresa-sullivan-to-step-down-as-president-of-uva)</p>
<p>The majority of the current boardmembers were not on the board when Sullivan was appointed. The board now consists mostly of persons involved in coal, real estate, corporate law and land development. </p>
<p>The four new Board members that McConnell appointed in 2010 contributed a total of $336,933 to McDonnells campaign for governor.</p>
<p>[Thanks</a> for donating! McDonnell appoints check writers to UVA BOV | The Hook - Charlottesville’s weekly newspaper, news magazine](<a href=“http://www.readthehook.com/67183/thanks-donating-mcdonnell-appoints-check-writers-uva-bov]Thanks”>http://www.readthehook.com/67183/thanks-donating-mcdonnell-appoints-check-writers-uva-bov)</p>