University of Virginia Suspends Campus Tour Service

The University of Virginia has suspended its student-run University Guide Service from conducting campus tours due to concerns over inconsistent attendance and tour content, not in direct response to criticism from the conservative Jefferson Council. The council has argued that the guides' emphasis on Thomas Jefferson's ties to slavery alienates prospective students and promotes a 'woke' version of UVA history. University officials clarified that the suspension is part of a broader effort to improve the quality and consistency of the tours. Instead, student interns will temporarily lead tours while a performance improvement plan is developed in collaboration with the Guide Service. The decision follows recent changes to the university's governing board under Governor Glenn Youngkin's appointments, which some believe influenced the university's stance on the tour program. The Guide Service plans to continue recruitment and aims to resume its operations by Spring 2025.