Former University of Virginia president James Ryan published a detailed account of his forced resignation, condemning board members and asserting the institution was politically targeted; his letter called the board’s actions damaging and said he felt “stunned and angry.” Separately, Virginia governor‑elect Abigail Spanberger urged the UVA Board of Visitors to pause its presidential search until she takes office, arguing five appointees lack legislative confirmation and the board is not ‘fully constituted.’ The episodes underscore governance instability at a flagship public university: debates over board legitimacy, presidential vetting and political interventions have amplified public scrutiny and risked leadership vacuum during a critical search process. Trustees and system counsel should expect legal challenges and heightened external oversight as the transition proceeds; any appointment made while board composition is contested will face legitimacy questions. Clarification: Public-university boards of visitors’ composition and appointment rules are state statutory matters; contested appointments can trigger legal review or legislative remedies.