who was the lawyer for saving sweet briar

by Dr. Kameron Christiansen 5 min read

How the legal fight to save the College was won, from the attorney who fired the first shot. Ellen Bowyer, the attorney for Amherst County who brought the first lawsuit in the ultimately successful legal wrangling to keep Sweet Briar open, will speak on campus about that experience.Mar 22, 2016

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Mar 03, 2022 · Ellen Bowyer, the lawyer for Amherst County who brought the foremost lawsuit in the ultimately successful legal wrangle to keep Sweet Briar open, will speak on campus about that know . She will present “ The Fight for Sweet Briar College ” at 4:30 post meridiem Wednesday, March 30, in the 1948 Theater as part of the College ’ mho annual Honors Colloquia series.

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Who saved Sweet Briar?

Alexander Haas provided fundraising counsel and campaign management to Saving Sweet Briar and had a front-row seat as this miracle unfolded. Here are a few interesting facts: Saving Sweet Briar raised more than $13 million in cash in just over 120 days, with no development staff or a staff or any kind.Jan 12, 2016

Why did Sweet Briar almost close?

Five years ago, on March 3, 2015, the College's administration and board at the time attempted to close the school based on their belief that it could not overcome challenges and address the trends in liberal arts colleges.Mar 3, 2020

Is Sweet Briar closing?

Sweet Briar College announced Tuesday that it is shutting down at the end of this academic year. Small colleges close or merge from time to time, more frequently since the economic downturn started in 2008.Mar 4, 2015

Is Sweet Briar liberal?

Named after a type of rose that was grown on the founding family's estate, Sweet Briar College is a private liberal arts institution for women.

What is the acceptance rate for Sweet Briar College?

75.9% (2020)Sweet Briar College / Acceptance rate

How much does Sweet Briar College Cost?

22,700 USD (2019 – 20)Sweet Briar College / Undergraduate tuition and fees

Is Sweet Briar College accredited?

Sweet Briar College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching.

Who Built Sweet Briar College?

Founded in 1901, Sweet Briar College is the legacy of Indiana Fletcher Williams, who left her entire estate to found an institution in memory of her only daughter, Daisy Williams, who died at the age of 16 in 1884.

How many students does Sweet Briar have?

The full-time enrollment at Sweet Briar College is 353 and the part-time enrollment is 1. This means that 99.7% of students enrolled at Sweet Briar College are enrolled full-time compared with 81.1% at similar Baccalaureate Colleges.

What is Sweet Briar College known for?

Empowering strong, well-educated women, Sweet Briar College provides a "supportive learning environment where students are free to follow their passions and try new things every day." A women's college in rural Virginia, Sweet Briar is known for "a rigorous liberal arts education" and supportive community that prizes ...

Does Sweet Briar College have nursing?

Sweet Briar students can observe policymaking in Washington, D.C. at American University or explore nursing courses at the University of Lynchburg. Studying with new faculty at another campus offers fresh insight and enriches your academic experience. Our approach to off-campus study is rooted in individual advising.

What is Sweet Briar College mascot?

Indiana VixenSweet Briar College / Mascot

The Sweet Briar Case

On March 3, 2015, when interim President Jeffrey Jones emailed the faculty and staff of Virginia’s Sweet Briar College to gather at noon, they had no idea what to expect. He stunned them by announcing that a unanimous board of directors had just voted to permanently – and immediately – shut down the 101-year-old educational institution.

Background

Sweet Briar College, known for its “ elite equestrian program” and “idyllic” campus in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, had graduated generations of loyal, successful alumnae.#N#It all started with a bequest from Indiana Fletcher Williams.

Outrage and Opposition

Opposition to the sudden closure decision came immediately: from students, alumnae, community members, and – of course – the employees blindsided at that impromptu March 3rd meeting.

Lawsuits and More

And that was that – or so the board members thought.

Tantalizing Issues

The Sweet Briar drama has reached an apparent, tentative conclusion.#N#Advocates for saving Sweet Briar College have reason to cheer. But this win for the “Saving Sweet Briar” faction may be a pyrrhic victory: There is no freshman class, and most of the current students have – albeit reluctantly – transferred to other colleges.

Conclusion

Some of these legal issues are unique under Virginia law and specific to the Sweet Briar case, but this sad and ugly story is a cautionary tale for other organizations.#N#Stay tuned for more discussion.

What is the leadership core?

The Leadership Core provides a broad, multifaceted education while also showing how different disciplines interact, which is a direct reflection of how life works in professional, personal and community circles.

Is Sweet Briar a liberal arts college?

Sweet Briar has always been the place where young women discover their passions, pursue their interests and grow their confidence. Being a women’s liberal arts college plays an important role in enabling them to do that from the very beginning.

What is the failure of Sweet Briar College?

This failure is most obviously demonstrated by the secrecy and the complete lack of transparency with which the President and the Board conducted themselves in reaching their decision. Information from the College’s official website, including videos of the President, Board Chair, and Board Vice Chair, describe a secret process that has been used by the College’s Administration and Board to close the College. This appalling lack of transparency has led many in the community to question the President’s and Board’s willingness to explore every feasible option to preserve the College.

Is Sweet Briar a non profit?

Our firm represents Saving Sweet Briar, Inc. (“Saving Sweet Briar”), a Virginia non-profit corporation, established by a group of Sweet Briar College alumnae, whose goal is to keep the College open so that it can continue its educational mission. We understand that you represent the College’s Board of Directors and President. Please let us know whether you represent these persons in both their official and individual capacities, or if there is some other firm with which we should be communicating, as well.

Who is the fiduciary for Sweet Briar College?

For now, Bowyer, the Amherst County attorney , has asked the court to appoint lawyer Phillip C. Stone to serve as a special fiduciary to administer Sweet Briar’s assets and operate the college while the litigation continues. Bowyer is also asking that the fiduciary “investigate” the school’s financial situation and report back to the court, not the college president or board of trustees.

Why did Sweet Briar College get into trouble?

Poor leadership is the reason why Sweet Briar College got into trouble. A deep dive into the decision to shut the 114-year-old college shows its wounds are self-inflicted. Sweet Briar can be saved with new management and vision, a restructuring, and a stepped-up focus on its brand.

What grade does Sweet Briar have?

Sweet Briar last year won an “A” grade for financial health from Forbes Magazine in its annual ranking of “America’s Top Colleges.” The Dept. of Education has also given Sweet Briar a top score for financial health, based on the school’s filings as of June 2013.

Where is Sweet Briar located?

Sweet Briar’s location in Virginia’s rural Piedmont region. The alumnae immediately voiced their disapproval about this decision and encouraged college leaders to reconsider the perceived “negative” aspects as instead being incredibly positive.

How many acres are there in Sweet Briar College?

The college’s efforts include 20 acres of vineyard, an apiary, and a smart farm on campus. Sweet Briar’s location is ripe for agriculture and tourism, two of the state’s main industries. Additionally, the Commonwealth is the fourth-largest producer of wine in the nation.

What did Dr. Woo do when she took over the presidency?

When Dr. Woo took over the presidency, she led a comprehensive restructuring and academic reset that reduced tuition and limited the number of majors. She tapped into her previous experience with George Soros’ Open Society Foundation to guide her decisions.

Is Sweet Briar a transformational change management company?

Sweet Briar’s turnaround through transformational change management was a business turnaround; however, this effort has not been so clear-cut. These efforts include faculty, students, and a community who have had to make painful changes that are messy and difficult.

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The Sweet Briar Case

  • On March 3, 2015, when interim President Jeffrey Jones emailed the faculty and staff of Virginia’s Sweet Briar College to gather at noon, they had no idea what to expect. He stunned them by announcing that a unanimous board of directors had just voted to permanently – and immediately – shut down the 101-year-old educational institution. The spring 2015 semester would be the la…
See more on forpurposelaw.com

Background

  • Sweet Briar College, known for its “elite equestrian program” and “idyllic” campus in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, had graduated generations of loyal, successful alumnae. It all started with a bequest from Indiana Fletcher Williams. Her memorial to her young daughter was a liberal arts college for women on the grounds of her family’s antebellum plantation. In rec…
See more on forpurposelaw.com

Outrage and Opposition

  • Opposition to the sudden closure decision came immediately: from students, alumnae, community members, and – of course – the employees blindsided at that impromptu March 3rd meeting. They profoundly disagreed with the board’s action, and felt betrayed. These groups were skeptical of the Board’s account in the March 3rd written statement that, a year earlier, it had be…
See more on forpurposelaw.com

Lawsuits and More

  • And that was that – or so the board members thought. There was nothing that the concerned constituencies could do to reverse the directors’ lawful and valid exercise of their powers. They were wrong. Immediately following the surprise announcement, there was an avalanche of activity that rocked this placid community as well as the larger philanthropic world. Amid lawsuits and r…
See more on forpurposelaw.com

It’S Happened Before

  • It’s not the first time that a board of directors’ decision about the future of an all women’s college has been questioned. For instance, in 1979, Wilson College in rural Pennsylvania was a 100-year-old institution in financial jeopardy. Wilson’s enrollment drop was much sharper, however, than Sweet Briar’s. It had an endowment that was declining too. There, the stakeholders – students, f…
See more on forpurposelaw.com

Tantalizing Issues

  • The Sweet Briar drama has reached an apparent, tentative conclusion. Advocates for saving Sweet Briar College have reason to cheer. But this win for the “Saving Sweet Briar” faction may be a pyrrhic victory: There is no freshman class, and most of the current students have – albeit reluctantly – transferred to other colleges. Many faculty members have secured employment at …
See more on forpurposelaw.com

Conclusion

  • Some of these legal issues are unique under Virginia law and specific to the Sweet Briar case, but this sad and ugly story is a cautionary tale for other organizations. Stay tuned for more discussion.
See more on forpurposelaw.com