University of Virginia Commits to Non-Discrimination Agreement Amid Federal Scrutiny

Thu Oct 23 2025 11:38:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The University of Virginia agrees to federal guidelines ending discriminatory practices in admissions and hiring, marking a response to escalating pressure and scrutiny from the Trump administration.

The University of Virginia has reached an agreement to comply with federal guidelines that prohibit discrimination in its admissions and hiring processes, following investigation pressures from the Trump administration. The agreement, confirmed by the U.S. Justice Department, requires the university to provide quarterly data on compliance until 2028, and its president, James Ryan, resigned amidst concerns over adherence to diversity initiatives. The university joins other institutions like Columbia and Brown in resolving federal investigations into their practices.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The University of Virginia has agreed to abide by White House guidance forbidding discrimination in admissions and hiring, marking a significant response to months of scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department.

The agreement, made public by the Justice Department, arises from a review initiated in April, which criticized the university’s president for not halting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices deemed unlawful under Trump administration directives.

In an unexpected turn, President James Ryan announced his resignation in June, stating that the potential consequences for the university community were too great to justify a battle against federal enforcement.

As part of the settlement, the university has committed to provide relevant data quarterly through 2028, while Ryan must personally certify compliance every quarter.

Virginia’s settlement represents a growing trend among other institutions, including Columbia and Brown, which have also negotiated agreements with the government to end investigations into their admissions processes. Notably, Columbia made a settlement payment of $200 million, while Brown contributed $50 million to local workforce development efforts.

The Justice Department's scrutiny has highlighted Ryan's actions, alleging attempts to circumvent federal anti-discrimination laws and pressure from the university’s governing board regarding DEI policies.

The university’s loss of the Equality Act and potential federal funding amid allegations of mismanaged DEI policies has galvanized conservative critiques of its campus policies, further expanding federal inquiries beyond elite private institutions to public universities like the University of California and George Mason University.

Recent accusations have indicated that some universities are merely renaming DEI initiatives rather than eradicating them, prompting deeper investigations into practices that critics argue favor DEI over merit in hiring decisions.

In summary, the University of Virginia has positioned itself alongside other institutions navigating the complex and contentious landscape of higher education policy under federal guidance, highlighting a pivotal moment for institutional governance and inclusivity practices.