NEWS FROM THE JEFFERSON COUNCIL NETWORK

TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

The Baucom Resignation Could Set Off a Power Struggle at UVA

Ian Baucom will step down as provost of the University of Virginia in March to become president of Middlebury College in Vermont. UVA will launch a national search for his replacement, the university announced today. His departure will likely set off a power struggle between President Jim Ryan and members of the Board of Visitors appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Read More
TJC Article Walter Smith TJC Article Walter Smith

One Man’s Fight For Transparency

My FOIA journey began in 2021, soon after the University of Virginia released its “free speech” statement. I was disappointed with it, thinking it lukewarm and empty of enforcement — a fig leaf resulting from the alumni outcry arising out of the poor handling of the F--- UVA Lawn door.

Read More
TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

A Whisper of Fresh Air

The first time Acampora came to my attention was at the September 2023 Board of Visitors meeting. She didn’t sound like a political progressive at all but rather, as she described herself to the board, “a bottom-line, up-front kind of person.”

Read More
TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

Time is Running Out for Change at UVA

Time is running short for Governor Glenn Youngkin to make his mark on the University of Virginia. His appointees to the Board of Visitors now comprise a 13-to-4 majority, yet after almost a half year, they have failed to make a visible dent in the priorities set by President Jim Ryan.

Read More
TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

Racking Up the Fees

Matan Goldstein, the Jewish student who was subjected to repeated antisemitic treatment at the University of Virginia, has settled his lawsuit against the University. Terms of the settlement were not revealed. While the public cannot know how much UVA paid, if anything, to make the problem go away, we can get a sense of how much it spent on legal fees.

Read More
TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

Ellis Goes Rogue

Bert Ellis was mad as hell and wasn’t going to take it anymore. He didn’t reenact Peter Finch playing Howard Beale in his famous rant in the movie “Network.” In fact, he was very calm and deliberate. But he made it clear to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors Thursday that he had run out of patience. He would refuse to vote in favor of any new spending project until the University got serious about cutting costs, Ellis said.

Read More
TJC Article James Bacon TJC Article James Bacon

Finding Common Ground

Explore the idea of what inclusion should look like. How do institutions, in particular universities, create a sense of belonging for students, faculty and staff from all walks of life? As it happens, there is an excellent positive example at UVA of how to foster a sense of belonging — the Hoos Connected program.

Read More
TJC Article A Correspondent in Virginia TJC Article A Correspondent in Virginia

President Joel Gardner’s Letter to the BOV

A senior tenured faculty member has anonymously expressed concerns about various circumstances prevalent on Grounds. This professor wishes to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation by the administration. One of the matters he/she discusses is the deterioration of our Honor System, focusing on the "secession" by the faculty from the System.

Read More