Mark M. Luellen
VP for Advancement
University of Virginia
Office of Advancement
Dear Mr. Luellen,
Years ago, we formalized an estate plan which included UVA as the recipient of a significant portion of our assets, held in a revocable family trust. I was proud of my degree from UVA and loved the atmosphere where honor, true history, scholarship, world class research and excellent teaching were the priorities.
In recent months I have been concerned that these priorities were overtaken by an extreme emphasis on diversity and equity and a lesser regard for traditional values. Lately UVA’s abundant support for the murderous and uncivilized Hamas organization and the timid recognition of the slaughter of innocent Israelis has deeply saddened me.
Apparently, the situation has reached the point where Jewish students at UVA are scared. I would not accept living in this new atmosphere, likely encouraged by the primacy of DEI, and will not provide financial support for its continuance. We are therefore altering our estate plan. It will no longer include UVA.
Regretfully,
Peter Bukowick
Grad A&S, 1969
It is a shame it took the barbarism of Hamas and open Jew hatred from academia with its attendant Marxist philosophies (DEI, CRT, “colonialism,” SEL, ESG, sustainability) inexorably leading to this point for eyes to be opened.
UVA has an opinion on everything political, except evil resulting from the policies it indoctrinates into the students.
Kalven principles now! BOV grow a spine and get UVA back to education. House cleaning time.
You nailed it Walter. Bravo!
I think this is the beginning of many more investment changes to come.
So maybe if the advancements office would refocus on CRT as Charitable Remainder Trust and not on Critical Race Theory, maybe, just maybe they may attract more if them’
Agree, and that was perhaps the BEST pun I have ever heard!
I hope more donors – alumni or not – do the same.
By refusing to unequivocally condemn the anti-Semitism that has erupted, the University’s administration – and faculty – claim as their own the evil of the ongoing assaults against Jews. Shame on them. The only ways to change them are to replace them or cut off their money.
(Elected officials in Virginia are probably very sensitive to the withholding of money as well.)
Pete, I recall you from our class of 1965! Stopped giving to UVA ’cause of their leftist culture, but still support the athletic programs. Karl Haller
My family is going to follow Mr. Bukowick’s example. I am pleased he let UVA know directly. I think that’s constructive. And he expressed the problem well.
Identity essentialism and CRT are murderous ideologies. We are a mere thirty years removed from the Soviet horror, and still bearing witness to the CCP, yet our ‘best and brightest’ in the academy seek utopia by classifying people by identity and teaching the unsuccessful their failure to achieve is due to the malign intent of fellow citizens. Cannot think of a genocide that didn’t start that way.
The “academic elite” (sic) read Mein Kampf in the 1920’s and thought it was the rantings of a lunatic. They laughed and brushed it off.
When someone says they hate you and want to eradicate your race/nation/people/religion, take them seriously. They mean it.
When these masked pro-Hamas members of the Students for Justice in Palestine for UVA students chant “from the river to the sea,” which for the uninformed means wipe out Israel, believe them.
Stop them now before UVA Jewish students are harmed. Is this what President Ryan labels “great and good?”
Thanks to Mr. Bukowick for taking a strong, public stance. Gov. Youngkin must continue to prioritize a culture of academic achievement and integrity through strong appointments to, and support of, the BOV.
I have been supporting UVA since graduation in 1959. No more. I have previously made this decision but have not directly let UVA know. I should and will.
We need many more to follow or it will not change the current course. Stand for your principles alumni!
I did the same thing a few years ago. More will follow. It’s very sad to see this happen at UVA.
Probably be even more effective if you can get the word out that donors aren’t, well, donating and more importantly, why they aren’t. Like in the newspaper.
I wonder whether WSJ would be willing to run a, say, biweekly list of people who have newly forsworn donating to their alma maters for these kinds of reasons. It would make for interesting reading.
I understand. I felt that way a few years ago. I try never to talk about UVA to anyone anymore. I am ashamed of it today. It is offensive in the worst of ways now. Sadly. I cannot even really spend time in the state of VA anymore. Charlottesville is the last place I would want to spend time. I divested a few years ago, formally.
Money speaks with a loud voice. Perhaps UVA will get the message if enough alumni vote with there pocket books. It is truly a sad day when Hamas evil is condoned.
I changed my estate plan in 2020 and stopped giving. Even to VAF. I cannot support student-athletes in uniform on the court/field protesting the American flag and our national anthem and I cannot support the debased and degraded version of the University of Virginia that Theresa Sullivan and (especially) Jim Ryan have created. I also stopped interviewing Jefferson Scholars candidates because I cannot honestly encourage anyone to attend UVA anymore. The university from which I graduated in 1986 and 1989 no longer exists.
Sincere question. This seems to be going on everywhere that money is given and I do not think there is any real attention being paid to the donor’s intent. I have heard rumors about money being given for a purpose and not used as given. Is there any kind of real oversight? Does an organization like Jefferson Scholars ever check back with the donor’s family? Is there an ombudsman or something like it to review independently? Should there be? I know the books are audited, and I suspect that the audit of the samples is not overly rigorous as to delving into the donor’s intent.
Also, as to Jeff Scholars specifically – it has been co-opted by UVA, just as the Alumni Association has been co-opted by UVA.
The foundations are no longer truly “independent” entities – they are in form, not in substance.
Same here, and also with respect to interviewing and supporting Jefferson Scholars!
I stopped donating around the time of the founding of the Jefferson Council due to UVA’s focus on things other than providing a world class education. Every year since, my response to the coed who calls and asks why I stopped donating, and would I consider re-starting is, “I’ll restart when there is no need for the Jefferson Council to exist”. The purpose is twofold. One, it saves me listing a litany of complaints. Secondly, it brings focus to the Jefferson Council, which is better at elucidating my concerns than I.
Although I am not a graduate of UVA, I have given generously to establish a visiting professorship. The money has been used wisely to further surgical education.
However, I am hesitant to contribute further to the university for the reasons stated by others here. There has to be a line between free speech/reasoned discussion and actions promoting issues/persons/cultures which are anathema to the principles of Jefferson and the founding fathers.
I just wrote a report to my alma mater (Harvard ’69) praising them for the quality of my education, but very critical of their philosophic stand on many issues. Their moto “VERITAS” is now tarnished.
I think several good institutions will feel the wrath of many donors who feel betrayed by their universities who look elsewhere for their philanthropy.
Hopefully the pendulum will swing back to more conservative values.
Harvard is part of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance along with UVA. You should join their group. The Jefferson Council for UVA was one of the original 5 AFSA groups.
https://www.alumnifreespeechalliance.org/
Great comments on this article. I would ask all the disgruntled alumni here to please financially support The Jefferson Council. We cannot continue to exist without ongoing, annual donations.
The efforts to bring conservative speakers to the Grounds, support student groups, and get the social media messages out to alumni/parents/friends to put continual pressure on the Administration takes a lot of funds.
We need your help. Thank you for your support.
Shared thoughts with yours. Thank you for publishing them.