Five members of the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors — including its leaders — resigned after being asked to step down by then Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger on Friday, Jan. 16.
They include Board Rector Rachel Sheridan; Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson; and board members Paul Manning, Douglas Wetmore and Stephen Long, according to reporting by The New York Times and the Washington Post (subscription required). According to The Times, Wetmore and Long initially resisted stepping down. Manning has donated $100 million to the university, and a member of the Youngkin administration told the Post that it was “shocking” that Manning was asked to resign.
After her inauguration on Jan. 17, Spanberger appointed 10 people to the BOV, according to the Post. Her appointees, who include former vice rector Carlos Brown, can begin their roles on the board immediately but must be confirmed by Virginia legislators.
Spanberger’s request came a day after UVA’s Faculty Senate — the primary, university-wide body that represents faculty interests — passed a resolution asserting the board’s failure to act in UVA’s best interest or protect the university. The resolution called on Spanberger to remove board members “whose conduct has fallen short of the responsibilities of Visitors.”…