UVA President defends decision to sign agreement with DOJ

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- For the first time since the University of Virginia (UVA) signed an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ), UVA leadership is answering questions from state lawmakers.

UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney appeared before a Senate subcommittee on Monday, Dec. 1 and said the agreement between UVA and the DOJ was a “great win for the Commonwealth.”

Mahoney told lawmakers that when he took office in August, UVA faced seven federal investigations over allegations that UVA wasn’t following federal law when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“It would’ve been reckless to tell the DOJ, we’ve done nothing wrong, and so we invite you to investigate us thoroughly,” Mahoney said.

After meeting with the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in September, Mahoney said the DOJ agreed to close only two of its seven investigations.

That left UVA with two options, Mahoney added. He said UVA could settle with the DOJ, or wait for the DOJ to impose sanctions on UVA that could include taking federal funding away from the university.

“The government could also have ended our students' eligibility for Pell grants and federal student loans,” Mahoney told lawmakers. 

Mahoney’s testimony got mixed reactions from lawmakers with Republican Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham) highlighting the fact that UVA’s agreement with the DOJ is less harsh than other schools. 

“The agreement with the University of Virginia involved no fine, no monitor, and no loss of research funds?” Obenshain asked.

“That’s correct,” Mahoney responded. 

However, some Democrats are still concerned. 

“I find it disappointing that institutions have been bullied into capitulating to the Department of Justice, and I find that word justice oxymoronic in this day in age because the department is certainly rogue these days,” Senator Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) said. 

As part of the agreement, UVA didn’t admit to any wrongdoing, and Mahoney said an internal review is still ongoing. 

UVA Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson were originally listed on the agenda to testify. A subsequent version removed their names. A UVA spokesperson said there was a scheduling conflict after the school didn’t get them the invitation in time. Senator Locke, who chairs the subcommittee, said the invitation was sent to UVA the week of Nov. 12.