CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – A series of letters sent to the University of Virginia by the U.S. Department of Justice outlines allegations of “illegal” practices, as well as mounting pressure on campus leaders to disassociate the university from “DEI” efforts.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Target 7 obtained seven letters sent by the DOJ to UVA between April 11 and June 17.
The letters were sent on behalf of Harmeet K. Dhillon, a graduate of the University of Virginia’s law program who was nominated by Pres. Donald Trump and sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi in April as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the DOJ.
The series of letters starts with a general request for admissions policies, and grows in specificity and intensity, with further demands for records and investigations into alleged antisemitic behavior on campus, and ultimately ends with a clear threat of pulled federal funding and legal consequences if “immediate and meaningful progress isn’t secured.”
The final letter, sent June 17, came 10 days before UVA President James Ryan announced his resignation.
What the letters say
4/11 letter
The first letter received by Target 7The letter says federal civil laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color and other characteristics The letter seeks information on UVA’s admissions policies and compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, which found certain race-based admissions policies unlawful under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal protection ClauseThe letter says the inquiry is focused on possible race discrimination in undergraduate admissions at UVA and full cooperation is expected The letter asks UVA to certify that it does not use race as a factor in making decisions and asks for proof in the form of:Documents showing UVA’s admissions policies and procedures, and the use (or lack of use) of race in evaluating applicants Documents regarding any changes in admissions policies or procedures following the decision in Students for Fair AdmissionsAdmissions data for the past five academic years, including test scores (SAT/ACT), extracurricular activities, essays and admissions outcomes disaggregated by race and ethnicity Statistical analyses or internal reviews conducted by UVA regarding admissions trends or outcomes by race The letter also asks UVA to certify and provide documentation showing it does not use race as a factor in awarding scholarships, financial assistance, or other benefits to prospective or current studentsUVA was given until 4/25 to provide the records
4/18 letter
Nearly identical to the 4/11 letter, requests the same documentation with a 5/2 deadline Both this letter and the 4/11 letter are addressed generically to “University of Virginia”
4/28 letter
Addressed to UVA President James Ryan and Rector Robert Hardie The letter notes that the UVA Board of Visitors met in a closed session on March 7 to discuss “the continued viability of the illegal DEI programs and preferences at Uva,” and unanimously dissolved the university’s DEI programs The letter says Ryan had 30 days to report to the BOV confirming “the total elimination of DEI at the University of Virginia” The letter says the DOJ received complaints that didn’t happen and that Ryan’s office failed to produce a report on the matterThe letter states UVA was given a 5/2 deadline to: Produce the BOV resolution along with records of the March 7th meeting Certify “with precision and detail” how UVA has dismantled its DEI programs, including which departments, programs, positions/titles/chairs were eliminated and whether anyone with any DEI responsibilities is still employed/associated with UVA and what their new role is Any records submitted by Ryan’s office to the BOV, Rector or any other university bodies regarding efforts made to dissolve DEI at UVA
5/2 letter
Addressed to President James Ryan and Rector Robert Hardie The letter says the DOJ received multiple complaints regarding anti-Semitic discrimination, harassment and abuse and related retaliation directed toward UVA students and employees who are Jewish, Israeli and Israeli-AmericanThe letter says the DOJ is “particularly concerned” about allegations that UVA engaged in disparate treatment and retaliation in its student discipline process with fourth-year Jewish student and Jefferson Scholar “E.N.” The letter says “E.N.” claimed he was the victim of hate-based misconduct by other students and disparate treatment and retaliation by UVA The letter says the DOJ also received allegations that several current UVA students committed antisemitic acts, and that UVA faculty supported the students who carried out those acts and bullying of “E.N.” (these acts are alleged to have happened in October 2024) The letter says UVA allowed the alleged offenders to stay on campus without suspension or termination of privileges and that UVA openly refused to update the victim on the status of proceedings against the aggressors The letter says “The facts surrounding this specific controversy and of the UVa’s alleged deliberate indifference and retaliatory treatment of the victim in response are, in a word, disturbing.” Says this letter (and more likely to follow) is unrelated to the prior letters/investigationThe letter states UVA was given a deadline of 5/9 to: Certify that UVA is satisfying the demands set forth in a letter sent by Stand With Us, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Brandeis Center regarding the antisemitic allegations Identify all proceedings, investigations or disciplinary processes initiated regarding the matter Produce all reports associated with #2 Describe the outcome of each matter identified in #2 or explain why any investigations or proceedings remain open or unfinished Identify by name, title, and contact information every UVA employee, faculty member or administrator (including members of the Office of University Counsel) who investigated, reviewed, provided recommendations or conclusions, adjudicated or had any involvement in this matter Certify or produce evidence demonstrating all UVA proceedings, disciplinary processes, investigations that have ever been initiated against “E.N.” or could be considered adverse to “E.N.” have been terminated, dismissed with prejudice, and expunged from the student’s recordsDescribe steps taken by UVA in response to events complained of by “E.N.” and his parents Describe measures put in place by UVA to ensure “E.N.’s” safety and the safety of his family on campus grounds, at his upcoming graduation and in the coming year when he is a graduate student Certify that “E.N.” and his family will enjoy safe an unfettered access to the full and complete educational environment at UVA, free of antisemitism, discrimination, harassment, abuse and retaliation
5/22 letter
Addressed to President James Ryan and Rector Robert Hardie The letter says it’s to inform them of a DOJ compliance review investigation into UVA This letter contains the first mention of UVA’s federal funding and how that could be in jeopardy because of perceived discriminatory practices The letter says the DOJ has not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigationThe letter says if the DOJ concludes UVA is violating Title VI, the department will work with UVA to become compliant voluntarily – and if that fails, to use other means to secure compliance such as suspending, terminating or refusing to grant federal funds and to take legal action The letter asks for all documents guiding medical school admissions policies and procedures, including any involving the use of race in the decision-making process, along with admissions data and other documentation regarding admissionsThe letter states UVA was given until June 13 to provide the records
6/16 letter
Addressed to Rector Rachel Sheridan The letter says since the DOJ began looking into UVA, the department has received complaints that President James Ryan, his administration and certain faculty members have been “actively engaged in attempts to defy and evade federal anti-discrimination laws and directives” of the BOV The letter says “evidence supplied to the Department would suggest President Ryan and his proxies are making little attempt to disguise their contempt and intent to defy these fundamental civil rights and governing laws” The letter says compliance with federal law is not optional and that UVA and its leaders owe fiduciary responsibilities to the Commonwealth of Virginia and not the interests or ideologies of university administrators or faculty The letter says “To be sure, your Board cannot sit idly by while important federal laws are broken, and fundamental civil rights are impaired.” The letter states its purpose is to serve as formal notice that the compliance reviews are being expanded to include UVA’s School of Nursing, the Darden School of Business, the School of Education, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the McIntire School of Commerce The letter says the DOJ has received complaints regarding employment issues at UVA, “particularly acts, errors and omissions that could, if true, constitute patterns and practices of illegal racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964″ – but that no formal investigations have been opened into that yet and the complaints are still being reviewed The letter again warns that failure to comply with federal mandates could jeopardize funding and lead to legal action
6/17 letter
The final letter Target 7 received through FOIA Once again addressed to Rector Rachel Sheridan The letter says that within 24 hours of the last letter being sent, the DOJ received yet another complaint, this time by an undergraduate student that “raises serious questions about UVA’s ongoing use and consideration of race in current admissions processes” for selective undergraduate schools or programs such as the Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership and the McIntire School of CommerceThe letter says the DOJ received evidence that in its Spring 2025 application process for rising Second Year students, the McIntire School invited candidates to identify themselves by race, gender or other “DEI-type” characteristics “for the purpose of enabling the school to offer “opportunities” to “underprivileged” communities.” The letter says the McIntire school offers advantages and benefits like recruitment, student support and application enhancement programming on race-and-gender-conscious bases The letter cites an example, saying that 68% of the McIntire School’s “Commerce Cohort” (that helps high-need UVA students navigate college) are identified as “minority students” The letter also states the cumulative GPA for incoming students to the program historically hovers around 3.7 or an A- average, but that the program regularly admits students with a GPA below 3 and even as low as 2.4 and that in its most recent admissions cycle, non-minority students with perfect or near perfect GPAs were denied entrance The letter says “Racial discrimination is immoral and abhorrent. Most of all, it is illegal,” and that “The mounting evidence that the Department is receiving on a near daily basis suggest that the problem” isn’t confined to the McIntire School and that evidence suggests these are “widespread practices throughout every component and facet” of UVA The letter says “Time is running short, and the Department’s patience is wearing thin. The Department must insist that the University of Virginia, through its Rector and Visitors, take immediate corrective action to bring the entire institution within compliance of governing federal anti-discrimination laws.” The letter says “dramatic, wholesale changes are required” immediately to “repair what appears to be a history of clear abuses and breaches” of federal law by UVA under its current administration The letter ends by saying if immediate and meaningful progress isn’t secured, the DOJ will “have no other choice” but to take legal action and again threatens to pull funding
UVA response
Target 7 reached out to UVA for a response to the letters and the allegations in them. A university spokesperson sent us the following statement:
“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.”
In announcing his resignation, Jim Ryan said in a statement he won’t fight the federal government to save his job, after being the object of Justice Department pressure regarding the university’s DEI initiatives. The full text of his statement is below:
To the University community:
I am writing, with a very heavy heart, to let you know that I have submitted my resignation as President of the University of Virginia.
To make a long story short, I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University. But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my own job. To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld. This is especially true because I had decided that next year would be my last, for reasons entirely separate from this episode—including the fact that we concluded our capital campaign and have implemented nearly all of the major initiatives in our strategic plan.
While there are very important principles at play here, I would at a very practical level be fighting to keep my job for one more year while knowingly and willingly sacrificing others in this community. If this were not so distinctly tied to me personally, I may have pursued a different path. But I could not in good conscience cause real and direct harm to my colleagues and our students in order to preserve my own position.
It has been an honor to be your President. Thanks for the outpouring of support over the last few days and weeks. My deepest gratitude to all of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni, who make this University and this community both great and good. This was an excruciatingly difficult decision, and I am heartbroken to be leaving this way.
Reactions across the Commonwealth
U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (D-VA) released a joint statement:
“Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system. It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth’s globally recognized university remove President Ryan—a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous ‘culture war’ traps. Decisions about UVA’s leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia’s well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia’s future.”
In a conference call with Virginia media, Kaine said he feels this is extreme federal overreach and he thinks it’ll have big consequences for Virginia’s higher ed system and the state as a whole.
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) released this statement:
I thank President Ryan for his service and his hard work on behalf of the University of Virginia. The Board of Visitors has my complete confidence as they swiftly appoint a strong interim steward, and undertake the national search for a transformational leader that can take Mr. Jefferson’s university into the next decade and beyond.
A statement from the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus reads:
Virginia’s public higher education institutions are the envy of higher education systems across the United States of America, which is precisely why the Trump Administration seeks to micromanage them. Our universities have built reputations for academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing leaders who contribute to our Commonwealth and nation including dozens for former Supreme Court Justices, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, U.S. Attorney’s General, Governors, and other notable Americans.
The Virginia Senate stands strongly in support of President Ryan and the residents of all our public universities. We recognize their commitment to maintaining the academic integrity and educational mission that havemade Virginia’s institutions world-class centers of learning.
We call upon all Boards of Visitors across our 14 public colleges and universities to resist any efforts by the Trump Administration to dictate how Virginia runs its own taxpayer funded schools. Our institutions of higher learning must remain focused on their educational mission, free from political interference that undermines their autonomy and academic freedom.
The Senate of Virginia will be watching the Trump Administration’s actions closely over the coming months. We will carefully monitor and consider any Board’s reaction to federal interference in our state’s higher education governance as we evaluate the more than 60 pending nominations to Boards of Visitors across Virginia’s public colleges and universities, including four at the University of Virginia, the additional vacancy created by Ken Cuccineli’s rejection, the four vacancies and George Mason University and six additional pending nominations on their sixteen member boards.
Virginia has a proud tradition of educational excellence that spans centuries. We will not allow political pressure from Washington to compromise the integrity of our institutions or the leaders who have dedicated their careers to advancing higher education in the Commonwealth.
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