Recent text messages have shed new light on the unfiltered opinions of a controversial University of Virginia Visitor Council member recently appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The text messages, released through a public files request on Thursday, show board member Brett Ellis blasting UVA faculty and students for “continuously” highlighting the school’s historical connection to slavery.
Ellis declared in the messages a “Battle Royale for the Soul of UVA” and criticized attempts to distance the school of Thomas Jefferson, the third US President and UVA founder, over Jefferson’s enslavement of blacks.
Ellis, an Atlanta businessman and UVA graduate student, has faced intense backlash from UVA faculty and staff since Youngkin appointed him last summer, in part due to a 2020 incident in which he attempted to become an anti-slavery -Remove sign in front of a dorm.
Ellis frankly admitted in an open letter that he had carried a “small razor blade” to cut off part of the sign that read “F*** UVA,” but was stopped by two university officials who warned him that doing so was considered criminal property would be considered harm.
Text messages released through a public files request on Thursday show that UVA board member Brett Ellis has lashed out at faculty and students for “continuously” highlighting the school’s historical connection to slavery
In 2020, Ellis attempted to remove part of this anti-slavery sign outside a dorm and said he plans to use a “little razor” to remove the words “F*** UVA.”
Although Ellis has been vocal about his views in defense of Jefferson, the text messages reveal his behind-the-scenes tirades to other members of the visitors’ committee, which oversees UVA’s long-term planning, budget and policies.
The news was obtained through Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act by Richmond-based author Jeff Thomas, who specializes in analyzing the state’s political culture.
In a message, Ellis slammed Vice Provost for Academic Outreach, Louis P. Nelson, who is also a professor of architectural history and has studied buildings associated with slavery in Africa and the United States.
‘Look at this git he works for [Provost Ian] Baucom and has nothing to do but highlight slavery at UVA. This bloated bureaucracy needs to be cut down,” Ellis wrote in a message to two other Youngkin appointees to the board.
In another message to another Youngkin official, Ellis wrote, “We’ve got to give hell to the BOV with this whole ‘Get Jefferson’ movement through the CD [Cavalier Daily student paper] and the super liberal faculty…’
In a statement to The Washington Post, the university said, “These text messages show a disappointing disregard for the hard work of UVA faculty and staff, and for the university’s core values of civic discourse and honor.”
“It is important to note that the messages were sent prior to these members attending their first board meeting, and since then they have had many opportunities to witness firsthand how this institution and its staff contribute in many ways to the Commonwealth of Virginia, our nation , contribute , and our world,” the university added.
Statue of Thomas Jefferson in front of the Rotunda on the University of Virginia campus. Jefferson was the founder of UVA, but his links to slavery have sparked student protests
Ellis is one of four board members appointed by Youngkin last year and confirmed by the Virginia State Senate earlier this month.
The others are Stephen P. Long, Amanda Pillion and Doug Wetmore.
Still, the appointments of Youngkin’s Democratic predecessor, Ralph Northam, retain a majority on the 19-member board.
Ellis heads the Jefferson Council at the University of Virginia, which has sought to protect the founder’s legacy as well as other traditions.
His appointment to the school’s visitors’ committee has greatly strengthened the group’s voice.
The impact of the new appointments was evident in a statement from the board chairman, known as the rector, during a September meeting, in which he reaffirmed the university’s connection to its founder, Jefferson.
“We are a university founded by Thomas Jefferson, and honoring his legacy and contributions to our nation is and will always be an indelible part of what it means to live, learn and work here,” said UVA Principal Whittington Clement in a remark at the conference.
“That is the policy and position of this institution and it will not change under our leadership or that of President Ryan or his team.”