August 14, 2012

U. of Virginia Board Seeks a New Start Amid Faculty Calls for a Post-Mortem of Its Leadership Drama

UVa Board Wants a New Start, Not a Post-Mortem 1

Sabrina Schaeffer, The Daily Progress, AP Images

Helen E. Dragas, the U. of Virginia board rector who was seen as a chief architect of the ouster of Teresa A. Sullivan as president, is shown leaving a board meeting on June 19. Ms. Dragas, who later voted to reinstate the president, says Ms. Sullivan's response to the crisis "demonstrated that she could lead people and move this institution. It was for me a defining moment."

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close UVa Board Wants a New Start, Not a Post-Mortem 1

Sabrina Schaeffer, The Daily Progress, AP Images

Helen E. Dragas, the U. of Virginia board rector who was seen as a chief architect of the ouster of Teresa A. Sullivan as president, is shown leaving a board meeting on June 19. Ms. Dragas, who later voted to reinstate the president, says Ms. Sullivan's response to the crisis "demonstrated that she could lead people and move this institution. It was for me a defining moment."

By Jack Stripling

In a pivotal meeting this week, the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors will attempt to turn the page on a leadership controversy that faculty would prefer to see explored in greater depth.

The board's retreat, coming nearly two months after Teresa A. Sullivan was ousted and then reinstated as president, is being forecast as an opportunity to jump-start an in-depth discussion about the strategic direction of the university. There is no indication, however, that the board