Michael Mitchell, a candidate for Student Council President at the University of Virginia, reversed his previous statements regarding his signature on a vote of no confidence against the University’s Board of Visitors, acknowledging Sunday that he did, in fact, sign the resolution.
Mitchell initially stated at the February 15 Student Council Presidential Debate, “I did not sign the vote of no confidence against the Board of Visitors.” Yet, in a statement released Sunday evening, he clarified that he signed the August 8 resolution through his position as Vice President for Organizations.
“The idea that I did not speak up is simply not accurate — when I previously said I did not sign it, I did so because I did not seek to imply that I set my name on it when I only signed it through my executive position,” Mitchell wrote. He further explained at the debate that his initial reluctance to acknowledge his signature stemmed from a desire to protect the interests of the Contracted Independent Organizations (CIOs) he oversees, arguing that the Organizations Branch of Student Council functions as an agency of the Board.
According to Mitchell, the CIOs were facing uncertainty due to what he termed “federal overreach” and feared potential disruptions to their operations. “Choosing not to sign the resolution has nothing to do with personal beliefs. This was protecting my constituents — clubs — something that I would also do as president for the student body,” he said.
The vote of no confidence, sponsored by Student Council President Clay Dickerson, Student Council chair Imane Akhanous, and Vice President for Administration Princess Wuraola Olubuse-Omisore, came approximately one month after the resignation of former University President Jim Ryan. The resolution criticized the Board’s handling of the presidential search process, alleging a lack of student input and a lack of transparency.
Akhanous confirmed that Mitchell had the opportunity to sponsor the vote and that it was presented “on behalf of” the Student Council Executive Board, the Fourth Year Trustees, the Third Year Class Council, and the Second Year Class Council.
Mitchell’s opposing candidate, Micah Andrews, addressed the issue during the debate, stating her commitment to advocating for the student body and highlighting her history of speaking out against the Board. While Andrews did not participate in drafting the resolution, she asserted authorship of the letter Student Council released following Ryan’s resignation. “I stopped on the side of the highway … and wrote that letter that came out that night about Jim Ryan stepping down,” Andrews said.
Andrews clarified that, as Chief of Support and Access Services, an unelected position, she is constitutionally barred from sponsoring or drafting resolutions. She confirmed her support for the vote of no confidence, stating, “The other elected officials on Student Council drafted and sponsored the legislation… Though as Chief of Support and Access Services, propose legislation as stated in the Constitution, I supported the vote of no confidence alongside others on the Executive Board.”
Akhanous corroborated Andrews’ account, confirming her contributions to statements released by the Student Council Executive Board but noting her non-participation in drafting the resolution. “Resolutions are written by representatives… In Micah’s capacity as chief of SAS, she cannot sponsor resolutions,” Akhanous stated.
Mitchell emphasized that resolutions are debated and voted on by representatives, representing the views of the Student Council Representative Body. He maintained that his decision not to sign the resolution “outright” was a strategic one aimed at best serving students and fulfilling his role within Student Council.
Mitchell is running on the “Dream Ahead” ticket with Saehee Pérez and Harper Tran, candidates for Vice President for Administration and Vice President for Organizations, respectively. Dickerson did not respond to a request for comment.
