WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Tim Kaine issued the following press release:

Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement regarding Virginia Tech President Tim Sands' 12 years of service at the university:

"I'm deeply troubled by the sudden departure of President Tim Sands at Virginia Tech. He has been an exceptional leader for over a decade-a period of significant growth for the university, including through its deepened partnership with Carilion Clinic in the Roanoke region and its impressive Innovation Campus in Alexandria. This action has the earmarks of previous well-publicized efforts to oust Presidents at other Virginia public universities-VMI, ...