A Turning Point at UVA
AFSA Statement on UVA President Ryan’s Resignation
The Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA) commends the Jefferson Council for its years of tireless work exposing and documenting (as seen in the news paper advertisement on the right) the University of Virginia administration’s failures to uphold the principles of free expression, academic freedom, and transparency. President Jim Ryan’s resignation is a clear sign that persistent, fact-based alumni advocacy can lead to real change and accountability.
The Jefferson Council was co-founded by AFSA Chair Tom Neale and stands as a model of what citizen-led alumni groups can accomplish when they commit to restoring their alma mater’s dedication to the pursuit of truth. As a founding member of AFSA, the Jefferson Council’s investigative efforts demonstrated the power of
alumni coming together to demand integrity, equal treatment, and a renewed commitment to the university’s founding ideals.
AFSA remains committed to equipping alumni and citizen accountability organizations across the country with the training, tools, and community needed to hold colleges and universities accountable. The Jefferson Council’s success serves as both a beacon and a blueprint for alumni determined to protect academic excellence and intellectual diversity at their own institutions.
Together, we can ensure America’s universities return to their true purpose: fostering an environment of civil dialogue, rigorous inquiry, and the free exchange of ideas.