
During a November 1 forum at Alumni Hall, Board of Visitors Rector Frank “Rusty” Conner III (Col ’78, Law ’81) said University of Virginia officials had believed that protests by white supremacists in August would be similar to countless others that had taken place on Grounds over the years.
“We’ve been a University that has been very accommodating, very welcoming to protests, assemblages and the like—simply because of the First Amendment and free-speech considerations,” Conner said. “What we realized very quickly was that was naïve. … That was not a First-Amendment assemblage. That was an assemblage to weaponize the First Amendment for intimidation and terror purposes—and we were not agile to adjust to that on the spot.”
Conner’s remarks were part of an event put on by the Alumni Association and the University Advancement’s Office of Engagement aimed at educating community members about the University’s response to the events of Aug. 11 and 12 on Grounds and in greater Charlottesville.

The panel spoke for an hour and then took questions. Nearly 200 people were in attendance, with roughly another 700 viewing online.
Goluboff said the Deans Working Group she chairs has asked free-speech experts within the Law School to look at policies at other public universities. “Are there ways that we can protect the people of the University while still protecting robust free-speech rights?” she said. “As a University, it is a crucial part of our mission to have robust dialogue and to be a place where speakers of all different viewpoints get to talk. No one wants that to change, but there have to be questions asked about what our policies look like. … That’s being explored as we speak.”
Goluboff told the audience that her group’s primary focus the past two months has been safety and security.
To that end, Conner said, a policy has been revised to designate the Lawn as a “facility,” which under state law gives the University greater discretion to regulate the premises, including banning firearms. Another policy regarding open flames was turned into a regulation, which Conner said would allow state and city police to enforce it more practically.
A consulting firm headed by the former head of security for the NFL was retained to assess the University’s safety measures for big events, such as the Bicentennial Launch Celebration and football games. “Clearly, if you go to a football game today, you can see the results of those recommendations, which we know is off-putting to [some] folks,” said Conner, referring to a new clear bag policy, “but it is part of ensuring that we provide the highest level of safety that we can for everyone.”
Conner said the University is awaiting recommendations from another firm that specializes in safety on college campuses.
In the aftermath of the events, Jackson said his alumni group got feedback from students that the University community wasn’t on the same page. “They felt like they were in one room discussing strategy and the staff and faculty were in another room, but that’s not what Thomas Jefferson was about when he started this University,” Jackson said. “Working together as one is something we want to encourage and hopefully hold the University accountable to.”

During the question-and-answer session, a parent of an alum expressed concern about the University’s reputation abroad. Conner, citing a decrease in the number of international applications to the Darden School of Business, admitted it has taken a hit. “I think everyone at UVA absolutely cringes when we see those images of the tiki torches surrounding the Rotunda,” he said. “It will take time to overcome those images, there’s no doubt about it.”
Comments
Stan Gordon CLAS '77 on 11/21/2017
Antifa as reported by NYT reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg was present as a hate group along with the white supremacists, each assaulting each other and yet the Miller Center director and governing council issued an “official statement” that there was only “one side.” A lie. Another example of liberalism and its double standards whereby faculty and University affiliated people willfully lie and make a mockery of our Honor System. When it comes to liberals facts are to be disregarded when they do not fit the underlying liberal narrative. Sick and not what Thomas Jefferson envisioned for our University. And then Hillary is invited to headline of all things a Women’s Global Leadership Forum at our University?! Really?!!!
Peter J. FitzGerald on 11/15/2017
This whole thing has been overdramatized. The mistake was in not allowing the Police to do their job. These nut jobs thrive on publicity and you are playing into it. All of these forums and organizations are a waste of time. Forget about it and go to a football or basketball game and cheer for The Hoos, then go to Carrolls for a beer. Oops, forgot it’s a shopping center. Beat VPI. Tony Bennett For President
Dennis Hughes on 11/15/2017
I totally agree with Dr. Walters.
Count me only as an alumni.
Are we covering for our lack of academic standing with Black Lives Matters and snowflakes?
Dennis Hughes
Anonymous UVA parent on 11/15/2017
Something was definitely off about this rally.
The white supremacists were organized by a man who was a Hillary Clinton Supporter until a year before, the democratic party governor told the police to stand down, and then the police stood down. Shortly after the police left, the violence started. And there was certainly violence from both sides.
Patricia Walters, EdD on 11/15/2017
Somehow the discussion about removing forefathers’ sculptures was completely ignored. Why? How accurate are your facts surrounding what happened in August to cause those you call “White Supremists” to gather on your campus? It is my understanding that these were not the people holding Confederate flags and stating “Please don’t take down this monument,” but others who intruded with the torches. (I can’t help but believe that this was a planned intrusion by someone from the City Council.) Why was ANTIFA there, and why was this factor not mentioned? Please understand that your decision to remove the “offending” statues has OFFENDED many of us, and such action has caused us to not want to donate to your racist movement, and it has further resulted in great disappointment of our (your) school. You are calling southerners and Christians “haters,” when it is your decisions that are hateful. Deeply saddened.