Former University of Virginia president James E. Ryan says he was forced from office after an intense pressure campaign that included federal investigators, state political actors and dissident trustees. In a 12-page account released publicly, Ryan described a “hostage-like” series of threats tied to Department of Justice civil-rights probes and warnings that federal research funding would be jeopardized if he stayed. Ryan names state officials and board members as active participants in moves to oust him, and details how the prospect of lost grants and regulatory risk narrowed his options. The episode underscores how federal civil-rights investigations, state politics and governing-board dynamics can converge to destabilize leadership at top public research universities. University governance groups have responded with calls for boards to protect institutional autonomy; faculty and staff leaders warn the fallout will complicate recruitment, fundraising and long-term research planning at UVA.