University of Virginia halts tours over slavery focus

The University of Virginia has suspended its student-led campus tour service, which has faced criticism for its focus on the institution's historical ties to slavery. This decision, announced on August 29, 2024, was attributed to operational concerns rather than the backlash from conservative alumni, specifically the Jefferson Council, who claimed the tours presented a biased view of the university's history. University spokesman Brian Coy emphasized the need for consistent and reliable tour experiences for prospective students and their families. The university's guide service, which has been in operation for several years, has been criticized for not meeting the required number of tours and for the varying quality of information provided. Some tours were described as excellent, while others were deemed inadequate, leading to concerns about the reliability of the service. The university aims to ensure that visitors receive a comprehensive and consistent experience when they come to explore the campus. In response to these issues, U.Va. plans to replace the student volunteers with paid student interns to lead the tours temporarily. This change is intended to improve the quality and consistency of the tours offered to prospective students. The university has also committed to working with the guide service to develop an improvement plan moving forward. This announcement follows a significant shift in the university's governing board, with new appointees selected by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin gaining control. The board now holds a majority of seats, which may influence future decisions regarding the university's policies and practices.