By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Virginia lawmakers met Monday to review higher education budget proposals and to hear updates from the University of Virginia and Virginia Military Institute ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session.
UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney delivered the university’s update. Mahoney began by saying he wanted to address how the settlement has been described publicly and to “clear up some misconceptions” about the agreement and the circumstances surrounding it.
Mahoney has only been in the role since August, stepping in after former President Jim Ryan resigned in June while the Justice Department’s civil rights investigations were underway
Mahoney told senators the university faced seven federal civil rights investigations when he took office in August. He said choosing to fight those investigations could have put more than $450 million in federal research funding at risk and could have affected Pell Grants and federal loans for students.
“It would have been reckless to tell the DOJ, ‘we’ve done nothing wrong, and so we invite you to investigate us thoroughly,’” Mahoney said. He told lawmakers that an enforcement action could have halted medical research and clinical trials that rely on federal support.
Mahoney said the settlement requires UVA to follow the Justice Department’s July 29, 2025 guidance on unlawful discrimination. He said the guidance aligns with internal policies UVA adopted earlier in the year. He also said UVA could challenge the department’s interpretation in specific cases.
UVA’s Board of Visitors rectors were invited to the meeting but were unable to attend. Their absence comes as the UVA Faculty Senate has called for new board leadership and more transparency following former President Jim Ryan’s June resignation.
Mahoney also said UVA is reviewing older materials, including scholarship and program descriptions, to ensure they match current practice and comply with federal civil rights law.