Charlottesville, VA – Text messages reveal that members of the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors engaged in private discussions with Governor Glenn Youngkin and expressed concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to reporting by the *Virginia Mercury*. The communications occurred as Republican leaders are actively reshaping the university’s policies and priorities.

The texts, obtained through a public records request, detail conversations between board members and Youngkin’s office regarding the university’s DEI programs. Some messages reportedly contained strong language, with one member allegedly writing, “This is war.” The messages appear to outline a coordinated effort to dismantle existing DEI structures at UVA.

The controversy centers around Governor Youngkin’s broader campaign to reduce the influence of what he considers “liberal ideology” in Virginia’s public universities. His administration has been critical of DEI programs, arguing they are divisive and counterproductive. Last year, Youngkin directed public colleges and universities to report DEI-related expenditures and initiatives.

The UVA Board of Visitors has been undergoing significant changes recently, with several new members appointed by Youngkin. These appointments have shifted the board’s ideological balance toward a more conservative viewpoint. The current actions reflect a larger trend of political intervention in higher education across the country, with state legislatures and governors increasingly seeking to influence university policies.

The released text messages have sparked debate among UVA faculty, students, and alumni, with some expressing concerns about academic freedom and the potential impact on the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Others support the board’s efforts to align the university with the values of the state’s elected leadership. The university has not yet issued a comprehensive statement regarding the text messages or the ongoing changes to its DEI programs.