by James A. Bacon

Governor Glenn Youngkin has fired Bert Ellis from the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, terminating the most outspoken member of the board supporting his goals of reining in tuition, promoting free speech and intellectual diversity, and eliminating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from the university’s policies and practices.

The Governor asked for Ellis’ resignation several says ago, but Ellis made it clear he would not resign — the Governor would have to fire him. The Governor repeated his request in a meeting with Ellis yesterday, and Ellis declined again.

“It is with sadness that I remove you as a member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors,” Youngkin wrote in a brief statement explaining his action. “While I thank you for your hard work, your conduct on many occasions has violated the Commonwealth’s Code of Conduct for our Boards and Commissions and the Board of Visitors Statement of Visitor Responsibilities.

Update: This evening Ellis issued a press release warning Youngkin, who had declared last week that “DEI is done” at UVA, that the battle to eliminate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from the University was far from over. “Governor Youngkin should reverse his decision so we can hold the University President Jim Ryan accountable, ensure that common sense returns to UVA by ending DEI for good, stopping antisemitism, and reducing costs at the university.” (See the full statement below.)

Update: An hour later, Youngkin announced that he intended to appoint former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cucinelli to the board in Ellis’ place. (See full text below.)

The state code gives Virginia’s Governor power to remove board members from office for “malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty.” It also states that the Governor shall set forth his or her reasons in a written public statement. “The governor is the sole judge of the sufficiency of the cause for removal.”

The letter did not cite any actions or statements that warranted firing. When asked for specifics, Youngkin spokesperson Peter Finocchio said he did not have anything to add to the Governor’s letter.

However, in breaking the story Monday of the Governor’s intentions, The Washington Post referred to police body-cam videos showing Ellis haranguing University of Virginia police in 2023 for not maintaining a more visible presence on the Corner, the retail strip across the street from UVA. The community was in an uproar at the time from a string of homicides in Charlottesville, including a murder and other incidents near the university grounds. I argued yesterday that someone in the Ryan administration at UVA or the Governor’s Office tipped off the Post to the videos as part of a campaign to discredit Ellis.

Ellis, a student leader at UVA, graduated from UVA in 1975. He became a serial entrepreneur and has maintained tight connections with the University ever since. The posting of the infamous “F— UVA” sign on the Lawn in 2020 woke him up to dramatic changes in the University culture since he was there. He was the key organizing force behind the formation of The Jefferson Council, an alumni network dedicated to preserving the Jeffersonian legacy, defending free speech, and fighting for intellectual diversity at an institution that under President Jim Ryan and veered far to the left like most other elite universities in the U.S. (Ellis hired me as executive director of the organization, a job I filled for about a year and a half, and I have always been open about my professional friendship with him.)

When Youngkin took office in 2022, he nominated Ellis and three others in his first round of appointments to the UVA Board of Visitors. According to Ellis, the Governor urged him to take an aggressive stance. That approach was cut short, however, when the Cavalier Daily dug up articles about controversial positions Ellis took, as a tri-president of the Student Union in 1975, regarding speakers at the University. Those articles mushroomed into accusations of racism and homophobia, which, along with other allegations, nearly sank his confirmation in 2023 by the General Assembly. Ellis was instructed to keep a low profile on the UVA Board, which for the most part he did.

There’s no telling what happened in the board’s closed session — which were frequent and during which critical decisions were made — but Ellis abided by the board’s rules of etiquette during open session. The one exception occurred when he demanded that Rector Robert Hardie conduct a discussion of antisemitism at UVA in open session for all the hear. Hardie refused. The confrontation, though brief, was heated. Ironically, Youngkin has made it a priority from the early days of his administration to combat antisemitism statewide, and he pressured the presidents of UVA, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Commonwealth University to crack down on the pro-Palestinian encampments that cropped up in violation of time-manner-use restrictions.

The stated reasons for cashiering Ellis are mystifying. The UVA board requirements can be found here. The only provision that Ellis could conceivably be charged with is to “dutifully serve as a member of the board,” specifically, “work collegially with other visitors, the president, and as appropriate, faculty, students, staff, and other University constituents.”

Full statement of Bert Ellis:

“DEI at the University of Virginia has not been eliminated. Governor Youngkin should reverse his decision so we can hold the university President Jim Ryan accountable, ensure that common sense returns to UVA by ending DEI for good, stopping antisemitism, and reducing costs at the university.

“This fight is not for the faint of heart and requires a fighter to ensure that the Governor’s and President Trump’s agendas are achieved. I never agreed to resign nor would I ever do so.

“Words matter, but actions matter even more. Unfortunately, the Governor has been misled by bad actors who don’t actually want to see results.

“Here is my plea to the Governor, the UVA community, and the men and women of the Commonwealth of Virginia: this is not the time to surrender to these ideological bullies at UVA. They are in retreat. We must dig in and hold the line. This is our moment to restore common sense and integrity to UVA. If we do not stand firm now, we risk losing everything we have fought for.

“UVA can once again be a beacon of excellence, the shining city on the hill, and a model for the nation. That is my mission. I have been steadfast in this fight, and I will remain so—regardless of the Governor’s decision.”

Background on Bert: 

Bert Ellis was appointed to the Board of Visitors by Governor Youngkin in 2022. Ellis graduated from the University of Virginia 50 years ago this spring. He also graduated from the Darden Graduate School of Business. He lived at 13 West Lawn during his time at UVA, and today proudly flies the UVA flag under his American flag at his home. 

Bert Ellis started The Jefferson Council to stand up for the ideals of Thomas Jefferson, to rejuvenate the Honor System at UVA, and raise awareness about the absolute insanity taking place at UVA. He was awarded the White Rose from The White Rose Society for my fights against antisemitism at UVA. And he drew attention and ultimately forced the removal of the “F* UVA” sign posted on a Lawn Door on campus. Most recently, he rallied the BOV members to eliminate DEI at UVA. 

Full statement about the appointment of Ken Cuccinelli:

“Ken Cuccinelli is a man of deep principle and an incredibly accomplished Virginian. As a former Attorney General of Virginia, he has always stood firm for the rule of law and the values that make our Commonwealth strong,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Ken’s legal and policy expertise will be incredibly valuable to ensure swift action with the ongoing changes and challenges in higher education. I have full confidence he will help ensure Mr. Jefferson’s University remains a place of opportunity, merit, and academic freedom.” 

“It is an honor to return to public service in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a member of the UVA Board of Visitors,” said Ken Cuccinelli. “As an alumnus who loves this university deeply, I’m committed to aggressively advancing plans to restore a culture of merit and end all forms of discrimination. I look forward to the important work of reducing administrative spending to keep the University affordable for students and parents and passionately defending free speech.” 

Cuccinelli served in the Virginia State Senate for the 37th District from 2002-2010. He was elected the 46th Attorney General of Virginia in 2009. He has also served as the Principal Deputy Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and later as Acting Director and Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Cuccinelli received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991, a J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law, and an M.A. in international commerce and policy from George Mason University.