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Virginia Senate leaders express "unequivocal opposition" to Compact
Virginia Senate leaders express “unequivocal opposition” to Compact
According to a letter sent to the University Tuesday, the Virginia Senate says it will “work to ensure” that the University is not subsidized if it signs the Compact
The flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
By Grace Little
October 8, 2025
The Virginia Senate sent a letter Tuesday to Interim University President Paul Mahoney and Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan relaying its “grave concern” regarding a Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education which the University received last week. The letter calls upon the University to immediately cease consideration of the Compact, and if not, the Commonwealth will work to negatively impact the University’s funding.
“This is not a partnership,” the letter reads. “It is, as other university leaders have aptly described, political extortion.”
The Cavalier Daily obtained the letter from an anonymous source, and University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover confirmed that the University received the letter. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, signed the letter, as well as State Sens. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.
Sheridan, Mahoney and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson responded to the letter Wednesday. The response acknowledges that the compact raises crucial questions for the University and higher education more broadly, and it reiterated that the University’s decisions will be guided by founding principles of integrity and academic freedom.
{snip}
According to a letter sent to the University Tuesday, the Virginia Senate says it will “work to ensure” that the University is not subsidized if it signs the Compact
The flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
By Grace Little
October 8, 2025
The Virginia Senate sent a letter Tuesday to Interim University President Paul Mahoney and Board of Visitors Rector Rachel Sheridan relaying its “grave concern” regarding a Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education which the University received last week. The letter calls upon the University to immediately cease consideration of the Compact, and if not, the Commonwealth will work to negatively impact the University’s funding.
“This is not a partnership,” the letter reads. “It is, as other university leaders have aptly described, political extortion.”
The Cavalier Daily obtained the letter from an anonymous source, and University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover confirmed that the University received the letter. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, signed the letter, as well as State Sens. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.
Sheridan, Mahoney and Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson responded to the letter Wednesday. The response acknowledges that the compact raises crucial questions for the University and higher education more broadly, and it reiterated that the University’s decisions will be guided by founding principles of integrity and academic freedom.
{snip}