On June 26, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors voted unanimously to "reinstate Teresa A. Sullivan as President of the University."

The reinstatement followed 16 days of protest, following a June 10 announcement by the Board's Chair, University Rector, Helen E. Dragas, that Sullivan had resigned.

Events soon revealed that Dragas had convinced Sullivan that she had lost the confidence of the Board, an impression that soon proved to be untrue.

After her reinstatement, President Sullivan graciously "called on the University community to work together to craft solutions to the challenges facing U.Va. and higher education and to quickly move beyond philosophical differences that have emerged."

She also pledged "to set aside any differences we might have, and to work hand-in-hand with Rector Dragas and all members of the Board of Visitors as we face the challenges that have been articulated - and find solutions that will further distinguish the University."

Those Visitors who supported Sullivan and stood by for 16 days as their Chairperson drove out a President on the basis of hearsay, without formal review, discussion by the Board or a recorded formal vote should be ashamed of themselves.

The Visitors who thought she should be replaced and allowed their Chairperson to drive her out by telling her she had lost the support of the entire Board disgraced themselves as well.

The man tapped to replace Sullivan, Carl P. Zeithami, Dean of the University's undergraduate Business School, to his credit, spoken openly of his disagreement with the Board's treatment of Sullivan, removed himself as a candidate to succeed her, and then pledged to take no action as interim President until the Board reconsidered its actions.

In that announcement he singled out "trust" as the core community value he believed to have been undermined by the Sullivan affair.

He might have added to the list: the general principle of not inflicting gratuitous harm; courtesy; loyalty; respect; and telling the truth.

There was a time when the act of deliberately leading President Sullivan to believe what events later proved to be patently untrue would have been deemed an intolerable offense against honor.

Sullivan, falsely believing she had lost the confidence of the Board of Visitors, had the good grace, the sense of honor if you will, to resign.

Those who led her to do so, should do the same.