CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WTVR) – A big day is set to take place in Charlottesville, beginning Monday morning. The Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia will meet to talk about candidates for the interim president's position.
However on Sunday, the Board was forced to hear backlash from faculty who are upset about the recent decision to part ways with current president Teresa Sullivan. In addition to the many faculty members, hundreds of students and Charlottesville residents packed into the auditorium at Darden Business School. More than 800 people were on hand for the meeting, with hundreds having to be moved to an over-flow room.
Sullivan was reportedly asked to resign as of mid-August because some on UVA's Board of Visitors didn't think after two years, she was doing much about the looming financial problems at the school.
Not much has been said publicly, however many are now coming to the defense of the school's first female president.
"I am still really in shock about the fact that this powerful visionary is not part of our lives. it's just a very emotional thing for me," said Drama Professor and Faculty Senate member Gweneth West.
During the meeting, the full Senate Faculty Committee approved the resolution of the group's executive committee passed last week.
50 members at the meeting were in favor of the vote. 18 proxy votes were also in favor, two were against and 1 person abstained.
In the resolution the executive committee states that they support President Sullivan and have a "lack of confidence" for the Board of Visitors.
Students are also weighing in, saying there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
"Yeah it was an absolute shock," said UVA Student Council President Johnny Vroom. "I think it was a shock to everybody. That's pretty universal."
"My only hope is we're able to find out exactly what happened and we're able to move forward as a university," said UVA Student Council member Eric McDaniel.
The Board of Visitors is planning to meet Monday in a closed session in Charlottesville. But before the board meets, they are scheduled to gather with leaders from the Faculty Senate.
Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for continuing coverage of this story.
