Three Virginia state senators have reached out to the University of Virginia expressing “grave concern” regarding a compact sent by the Trump administration, likening it to political extortion.
Sen. Scott A. Surovell (D-34), Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-18) and Sen. Mamie E. Locke (D-23) wrote to UVA that they expected the university to “immediately cease all deliberations regarding this compact and to promptly notify the Trump Administration in writing that the University of Virginia will not consider signing this agreement.”
Among the senators’ concerns: sweeping changes to admission and hiring practices, international enrollment restrictions and suppressing viewpoints.
“We want to be explicitly clear: if the University of Virginia signs this compact, there will be significant consequences in future Virginia budget cycles,” the senators wrote. “As the leadership of the Senate with responsibility for appropriations affecting higher education, we will work with our colleagues to ensure that the Commonwealth does not subsidize an institution that has ceded its independence to federal political control.”
Breaking down finances at UVA
The approved 2025-26 annual operating budget for UVA is $6.3 billion.
The Commonwealth of Virginia appropriated $294.4 million to UVA for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
UVA received $549 million in research grants in 2024 with the bulk of awards from federal agencies: $258M from the Department of Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health, $43M from the Department of Defense, $40M from the National Science Center, $25M from the Department of Education, $15M from the Department of Energy and $35M from other federal awards. State and local awards for research in fiscal year 2024 totaled $44 million.
So far this year, the Trump administration has terminated 34 research grants to UVA totaling more than $60 million.
UVA: ‘No intention’ of abandoning its principles
UVA issued a response thanking the senators for their views and for the shared devotion to the university.
In the statement signed by UVA Rector Rachel Sheridan, Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson and Interim President Paul Mahoney, the university conceded that it has been a tumultuous time, one in which their leaders have been faced with “unprecedented challenges.”
Among those challenges, UVA noted, was the intense pressure from the Department of Justice regarding its former president, Jim Ryan.
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“When Thomas Jefferson founded the University in 1819, he dedicated it to the promotion of a simple but profound mission: self-governance through the unhindered pursuit of truth,” the UVA response read. “We have no intention of abandoning the University’s principles.”
The university did not agree to cease all communications with the Trump administration but did say the compact “raises questions of profound importance” to UVA and more broadly, “to all institutions of higher education in the United States.”
Mahoney has established a working group to review the compact.
Faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences have urged UVA to reject any negotiations with the Trump administration; the UVA Faculty Senate also passed a resolution firmly opposing the compact.
UVA is one of nine universities to receive the compact which promises substantial grant monies and increased overhead payments to those who sign it. The letter and compact was also sent to Brown University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Texas and Vanderbilt University.
The administration asked for feedback on the compact by Oct. 21. A final decision is required by Nov. 21.
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Crystal Graham
