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By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
Board of Visitors Rector Helen Dragas
ALEXANDRIA — Members of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors are standing their ground — and calling for faculty cooperation — after ousting President Teresa Sullivan over the weekend, breaking their near silence Wednesday with a letter to faculty.
Board Rector Helen Dragas — criticized over the ordeal’s perceived suddenness and lack of transparency — emphasized that the board and Sullivan had an extended period of “ongoing dialogue” about the university’s direction. Under pressure to respond to faculty demands for answers, Dragas listed her concerns relevant to Sullivan’s dismissal.
“Among the many challenges, we are especially concerned about the recruitment and retention of you, our esteemed faculty,” Dragas wrote.
Dragas requested the faculty’s commitment to join the board, the interim president and eventually, UVA’s long-term president, in creating a “bright future.”
The BOV has called a special meeting for 3 p.m. Monday in Charlottesville.
Sullivan’s resignation is effective Aug. 15.
