New UVA President Teresa Sullivan issued a statement this afternoon concerning questions raised regarding management of UVA’s prized literary journal, the Virginia Quarterly Review. In the wake of managing editor Kevin Morrissey’s suicide, allegations of "workplace bullying" have been leveled at editor Ted Genoways.
Last week, UVA spokeswoman Carol Wood told C-VILLE that "all VQR staff members had been working with human resources professionals to address issues within the VQR office," as was Morrissey prior to his death.
The statement from President Sullivan follows, in its entirety:
"The untimely death of Kevin Morrissey, the managing editor of Virginia Quarterly Review, has caused a great deal of pain for his family, friends and colleagues. It has also raised questions about the University’s response to employees’ concerns about the workplace climate in the VQR office. I therefore am announcing that we will be undertaking a thorough review of VQR’s operations.
"Conducting this review does not in any way presume that any members of the VQR staff have been involved in improper conduct. The review will, I hope, provide a factual basis for understanding this workplace and deciding what corrective actions, if any, the University should undertake.
"Two weeks ago, I approved a financial audit of VQR. Today, I am charging Barbara Deily, the University’s chief audit executive, to broaden the examination to include the management of VQR. Ms. Deily reports directly to the Board of Visitors and is authorized to work with any outside consultants she may choose to assist in this review.
"Ms. Deily, who is known for the highest of professional standards and audit acumen, will undertake an independent, fair and impartial review.
"My hope is that this review can be completed by the end of September so that we can address the issues and allegations that have been raised. This timetable, however, will be subject to change if unanticipated complexities are discovered. It is more important that this review be done well than that it be done quickly.
"The Virginia Quarterly Review has enjoyed a distinguished history since its founding in 1925 as a publication dedicated to independent thought in the fields of society, politics, and literature. The University of Virginia remains strongly committed to VQR."