AMHERST COUNTY, VA (WSLS) -
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Virginia temporarily blocked the planned closure of Sweet Briar College. The decision held that a corporation can be a trust and asked the circuit court to reconsider the case. Supporters said the ruling is a major legal victory for the students, faculty, staff and alumnae of the school.
Bells ringing on the campus of Sweet Briar College served as a sound of victory on Tuesday. A group of students and teachers gathered on campus to celebrate Virginia's Supreme Court ruling.
"We came to campus, brought champagne and toasted the Supreme Court of Virginia decision," said Deborah Durham, Sweet Briar College professor.
Following Tuesday's ruling, the case will go back to circuit court for Judge James Updike to reconsider his previous decision.
"Today's Virginia Supreme Court ruling is a major legal victory for the students, faculty, staff and alumnae of Sweet Briar College, for women's colleges and for the sanctity of charitable bequests made in this country," said Sarah Clement, Chair of Saving Sweet Briar, a non-profit group formed to save Sweet Briar College. "With the trust issue now resolved by the Virginia Supreme Court, we will move to seek the appointment of a special fiduciary to assess the college's true finances and determine what is needed to close the current funding gap to ensure the College can remain open," said Clement.
In a statement from Sweet Briar College, officials said "The Virginia Supreme Court's decision is unlikely to have significant impact on the pending litigation."
Amherst County Attorney Ellen Bowyer said she was very pleased that the Supreme Court has asked the circuit court to reconsider its decision relative to the question of a trust.
"I am hopeful that on reconsideration, the circuit court will agree with my position: that Sweet Briar College is a trustee of the trust formed from Indiana Fletcher Williams's Will" said Bowyer. "Time remains of the
essence, and we will seek to move quickly to reach resolution in the circuit court."
Bowyer is seeking to be heard before Judge Updike June 22nd through 24th.