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Updates from University President Jim Ryan: Faculty Senate Meeting Highlights

University President Jim Ryan provided pivotal updates during the Faculty Senate meeting held on October 18. This meeting focused on an external review concerning allegations of misconduct involving administrators from the School of Medicine. The Senate made amendments to a resolution addressing these concerns, which is set to be voted upon in the coming week. In addition, senators received updates regarding a review investigating the May 4 police action that forcibly cleared a pro-Palestine encampment on the university grounds, as well as the delayed findings from the investigation into the November 13, 2022 tragic campus shooting.

Independent Review of Allegations

The Faculty Senate spent considerable time discussing an ongoing independent review stemming from a significant letter of no confidence. This letter was signed by 128 employees from the U.Va. Physicians Group and was delivered to Ryan and the University’s Board of Visitors on September 5. This document demanded the dismissal of Craig Kent, the chief executive officer of U.Va. Health, and Melina Kibbe, the dean of the School of Medicine and chief health affairs officer, citing alleged misconduct within their administration.

In response to these serious allegations, the Board’s Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee engaged the litigation firm Williams & Connolly to undertake an independent review. Two committee members—Chair Rachel Sheridan and Vice Chair Porter Wilkinson—are overseeing the investigation. Ryan has committed to remaining completely uninvolved in this process to ensure impartiality.

Faculty Concerns Regarding Retaliation

During the meeting, Faculty Senators raised legitimate concerns about potential retaliation that faculty members might experience for participating in the independent review, echoing sentiments from the letter of no confidence. They sought reassurance regarding the availability of legal counsel for faculty members to ensure their protection against possible repercussions.

In addressing these concerns, Ryan clarified that any outside counsel hired by the University requires approval from Attorney General of Virginia, Jason Miyares. Moreover, he proposed that participating faculty groups have the opportunity to communicate with legal counsel, although these attorneys may not accompany them in one-on-one interviews.

Ryan encouraged any faculty member worried about retaliation to bring their concerns directly to Sheridan or Wilkinson, noting that these individuals are independent of his administration given their positions on the Board of Visitors.

Assurances from the Audit Committee

To alleviate the unease among faculty, Sheridan and Wilkinson are actively working to provide reassurance. They released a written statement for the Faculty Senate’s consideration, assuring those involved that addressing the investigation is a top priority for the University. The statement emphasized that the issues raised by faculty members will be taken seriously.

Some Senators expressed apprehension regarding the possible interference of Sheridan and Wilkinson in the review process. However, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect Jeri Seidman affirmed that while the Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee determined the review’s initial scope, they will not dictate how the firm carries out its investigation.

Addressing Pre-existing Concerns

Ryan confirmed that both he and other University administrators had been aware of some of the issues articulated in the letter of no confidence prior to its submission and had already begun addressing these matters. During the meeting, he issued an apology to any faculty members who may have felt slighted by his earlier response to the letter, which stated that he would refrain from firing Kent or Kibbe without a thorough investigation into the allegations made.

Proposed Resolution on Institutional Climate

The Senate made amendments to a resolution focusing on the “institutional climate within the U.Va. School of Medicine and Medical Center.” This resolution reaffirms the Faculty Senate’s support for the Medical School faculty and requests that the external review thoroughly investigate any attempts to silence faculty complaints. Additionally, it calls for an examination of concerns previously raised to University administration before they became public via the letter of no confidence. Faculty Senators will participate in a virtual vote on this resolution from Monday to Wednesday.

Review of the May 4 Incident

Ryan updated the Faculty Senate on a potential review of the events surrounding the May 4 police clearing of the pro-Palestine encampment that resulted in 27 arrests. Although the Faculty Senate previously called for an external review of the aggressive police response, Ryan indicated that specific plans for this review remain undetermined. He acknowledged that procedural disagreements have contributed to delays.

Despite the setbacks, Ryan stated that the University administration is nearing the announcement of the review’s initiation and the identity of the entity conducting it, although he could not provide an exact timeline.

Recent Changes to University Protest Policies

In light of recent events, the University revised its protest policies at the start of the fall semester, imposing new restrictions. These rules now require individuals wearing masks to identify themselves if requested by University officials. Associate Professor Amy Ogden raised concerns about how these updated policies might inadvertently make the use of force more likely in future protests by eliminating any vagueness in the University’s protest regulations.

Ogden remarked, “From one perspective, [the policy changes] made it less likely that there would be [a] need to bring in soldiers pointing guns at our colleagues and students. On the other hand, it made it a lot more likely…”

While Ian Baucom, executive vice president and provost, indicated that individuals violating these new rules would receive multiple warnings prior to any punitive action, Ogden remained skeptical, asserting that the core issue of police intervention and excessive force during the May 4 protest had not been adequately addressed.

Ongoing Investigation into the November Shooting

Ryan also revealed that the external review related to the November 13 campus shooting, which tragically resulted in three student fatalities, was completed on October 20, 2023. However, the results have not yet been made public to avoid interfering with ongoing criminal proceedings. This delay has led to legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by The Daily Progress, a Charlottesville-based newspaper, seeking the report’s release.

Efforts for Legislative Change

Furthermore, Ryan discussed the University’s continued advocacy within the Virginia General Assembly for legislative changes aimed at restricting firearm possession in University-owned buildings. The current legislation allows firearms in public University facilities, an exception he has sought to eliminate since the campus shooting incident. He noted that this legislative proposal has been refused on two previous occasions but remains hopeful for its passage in the future.

“We’ll keep going as long as I am president,” Ryan remarked. “Who knows how long it will take, but [passing this legislation] doesn’t seem hard to me.”

The Faculty Senate is scheduled to reconvene on November 15 to continue these critical discussions.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

In the midst of these complex issues surrounding administrative conduct and policy responses, the AI legalese decoder can provide invaluable assistance to faculty members navigating this challenging landscape. By transforming complicated legal jargon into understandable language, the AI tool can help faculty comprehend their rights and obligations during the review process. This clarity can empower them to engage confidently with the review, while also ensuring that they are aware of the protections available to them regarding allegations of misconduct or retaliation. Careful navigation of these discussions can have a significant impact on fostering an environment of accountability and transparency within the university’s administrative framework.

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