University of Virginia interim President Paul Mahoney announced Friday the U.S. Department of Justice has closed two of the agency’s investigations into the University.
“I have been personally engaged in discussions with the department’s officials, and I am happy to say I can report some initial progress,” Mahoney told the Board of Visitors. “This week, we received two letters from the Department of Justice. The first closed an investigation into admissions at the Batten School (of Leadership and Public Policy) and the McIntire School (of Commerce). The second closed an investigation into the University’s response to allegations of antisemitic discrimination at UVA.
“These investigations were closed based on the information we provided to the department about our policies and actions,” Mahoney continued. “We will continue to work hard to resolve the remaining investigations.”
Mahoney told the board bringing the Justice Department inquiries to a successful conclusion was one of three goals he set when he was selected as interim president last month.
“The first is to send a clear signal to our community that, while political winds may shift around us, the University’s core values, mission and activities remain unchanged,” he said. “This is a sturdy ship that can handle rough weather. I’m grateful to everyone in this community who’s helped me signal stability and continuity through their dedication to teaching, research and patient care.”
Mahoney’s third goal included a commitment to supporting “free and open inquiry.”
“I believe we have a duty to expose our students to a wide range of ideas and viewpoints and to always seek the truth while having the humility to recognize that we can be mistaken,” he said. “UVA can and should be a model for robust-but-respectful debate.”
The board meeting was Mahoney’s first as interim president.
“I look forward to the year ahead,” he concluded in his remarks to the board. “I’m grateful for the board’s leadership and I look forward to working with you in the months to come.”
