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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2012

MORRISSEY CITES 1919 STATUE IN CALLING ON GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO TAKE

IMMEDIATE ACTION ON UVA

Richmond, VA- Delegate Joe Morrissey, a University of Virginia graduate, today cited a 1919

Virginia statute that gives the Virginia General Assembly the authority to immediately inquire into

the facts and circumstances surrounding President Sullivans forced resignation.

Morrissey pointed out that the 1919 statute, set forth in Virginia Code Section 23-69, makes it

crystal clear that the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginiashall be at all times

subject to the control of the General Assembly [emphasis added].

Morrissey went on to say that with respect to President Sullivans dismissal, there are a plethora

of rumors circulating from Charlottesville to Capitol Square including that the Rector, Vice-Rector, and a small cadre of collaborators worked secretly since October of last year to force the

ouster of President Sullivan. Morrissey further stated: Thus far, the Rector has not addressed the

specific inquiries from the Senate Faculty, media, and the student body. Accordingly, rumors,innuendo, misunderstandings, and rampant confusion flourish. This is unacceptable.

In calling for General Assembly leadersboth Democrats and Republicansto step up and fulfilltheir duty, Morrissey stated: The taxpayers of Virginia, who support the University, deserve

answers, not more excuses. This is not a complicated matter. The Board of Visitors, led by Rector

Helen Dragas, forced the President of the University, Teresa Sullivan, to quit or suffer the

humiliation of being fired in the middle of her contract. The Governor of Virginia, RobertMcDonnell, suggests that he has no power to intercede in the matter. He is right. Virginia Code

Section 23-69 states in unerring clarity that the General AssemblyNOT THE GOVERNOR

retains the oversight authority presumably for situations like the one presently sweeping across theUVA campus. The words cited above leave no doubt as to this interpretationthe General

Assembly controls the Rector and Board of Visitors.

Delegate Morrissey further stated: Ms. Dragas and her Board must understand they are exercising

public power, not private power. They act for the Commonwealth through a grant of authority from

the General Assembly. This makes them public servants. The Rector/Visitors have had plenty oftime to offer an explanation as to what has recently transpired. They have not done so, accordingly

the General Assembly must act.

Morrissey concluded by saying: So today, I am releasing a letter to Delegate Tata, head of the

House of Delegate's Education Committeewhich counts me as one of the memberscalling onhim to do what the people have expected since 1919. I have specifically requested that Chairman

Tata convene the House Education Committee and call the Rector and Vice-Rector before theCommittee to explain the recent doings that threaten our great flagship university. The laws of

Virginia require us to oversee the actions of Ms. Dragas and the Board: it is not an option but a

legal duty owed the people by law.

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23-69. Board a corporation.

The board of visitors of the University of Virginia shall be and remain a corporation, under the

style of "the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia," and shall have, in addition to itsother powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1; except

in those cases where, by the express terms of the provisions thereof, it is confined to corporations

created under such title; and shall also have the power to accept, execute and administer any trustin which it may have an interest under the terms of the instrument creating the trust. The rector and

visitors of the University of Virginia shall be at all times subject to the control of the General

Assembly.

(Code 1919, 806.)