University Releases
The following are recent University releases about the Robertson lawsuit. They can also be found in the full list of public statements.
Settlement retains Princeton's control, use of Robertson funds
By Staff · Posted December 10, 2008; 09:00 a.m.
Princeton University will have full control of the endowment associated with the Robertson Foundation and will continue to use the endowment to support the graduate program of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs under a settlement agreement that ends the six-year-old lawsuit brought against the University by members of the Robertson family.
Judge issues preliminary rulings on Robertson--UPDATED
by Staff · Posted October 25, 2007; 03:50 p.m.
Two University motions granted; decisions shape the case for trial
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil Shuster today issued rulings on the seven pending motions in the lawsuit brought against Princeton University by several members of the Robertson family in July 2002. His seven rulings totaled 355 pages.
Former Gov. Tom Kean to succeed Jay Sherrerd on Robertson board
by Staff · Posted May 1, 2007; 11:00 a.m.
Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman has informed members of the Robertson Foundation board of trustees that longtime trustee John J.F. Sherrerd has decided to retire as a University-designated member of the board, and that he is being succeeded by Thomas Kean, the former New Jersey governor, president of Drew University and chair of the 9/11 Commission.
University reimburses Robertson Foundation for discontinued program
by Staff · Posted March 12, 2007; 02:45 p.m.
Princeton University has reimbursed the Robertson Foundation for the costs associated with a three-year trial program, known as the Graduate Funding Agreement, that from 2000 through 2002 provided funding for graduate students in academic departments at Princeton that were closely related to the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
University presents oral arguments in Robertson lawsuit, Nov. 29
by Staff · Posted November 29, 2006; 09:52 p.m.
Attorneys representing Princeton and four University-designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation on Wednesday concluded two days of hearings by arguing in support of Princeton's motions for partial summary judgment on two spending issues and a motion to strike a demand by members of the Robertson family for a jury trial. Attorneys for Princeton also asked New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster to reject a motion by the members of the Robertson family for summary judgment on another set of spending issues related to the Robertson Foundation.
University presents oral arguments in Robertson lawsuit, Nov. 28
by Staff · Posted November 28, 2006; 08:26 p.m.
Princeton University's lead counsel argued Tuesday in support of the University's motion asking New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster to declare by summary judgment that Princeton is and will continue to be the sole beneficiary of the Robertson Foundation, and is and will remain entitled to designate four of the foundation's seven trustees. Douglas S. Eakeley of Lowenstein Sandler, representing Princeton and four University-designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation, also asked the court to declare that the decision of the foundation's University-designated trustees to retain the Princeton University Investment Co. (PRINCO) to manage the foundation's assets is permitted by the foundation's certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and was a valid exercise of their business judgment.
University to present oral arguments in Robertson lawsuit
by Staff · Posted November 27, 2006; 09:00 a.m.
On Nov. 28-29, attorneys representing Princeton University and four University-designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation will present oral argument before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster in support of four motions for partial summary judgment filed by Princeton, as well as a motion to strike plaintiffs' demand for a jury trial. Attorneys for Princeton will also oppose two motions filed by several members of the Robertson family who initiated the litigation in July 2002.
Further details provided on Wilson School fellowship funding
by Cass Cliatt · Posted July 4, 2006; 12:00 a.m.
Princeton University has provided New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster with further details concerning funding for fellowships in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and specifically for a three-year trial program known as the Graduate Funding Agreement (GFA). The information was submitted in connection with the lawsuit regarding the Robertson Foundation, which was established in 1961 to support the graduate program of the Woodrow Wilson School.
Princeton University files legal briefs in Robertson case
by Cass Cliatt · Posted March 13, 2006; 05:24 p.m.
In briefs filed today in New Jersey Superior Court, Princeton University demonstrated that, over the past 45 years, the University and its designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation have effectively carried out the Foundation’s mission; met their fiduciary obligations in overseeing the Foundation’s assets and expenditures; and contributed to a substantial strengthening of the graduate program of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. In addition, the briefs underscore that, especially in recent years, the University-designated trustees have significantly enhanced the governance practices of the Foundation despite continuing efforts by the Robertson family trustees “to block every initiative” for reform.
Excerpts from Princeton’s March 13 filings
by Cass Cliatt · Posted March 13, 2006; 05:19 p.m.
In 1965, the Robertson Foundation Board reviewed and approved the Bowen Formula with the understanding that calculating the actual cost of the School's expanded graduate program on a dollar-for-dollar basis, year in and year out, would be impossible. Instead, the Bowen Formula operates through a series of charges and offsetting credits that, taken together, are designed to achieve a "fair approximation" of the cost of the expanded graduate program. In their motion for summary judgment, plaintiffs take a piecemeal approach to the Bowen Formula that flagrantly ignores its many offsetting credits and otherwise distorts the record surrounding the defendants' allegedly "admitted overcharges." Defendants have not "admitted" that Princeton "overcharged" the Foundation by $18,647,923, or by any other amount.
Princeton responds to Feb. 7 WSJ article
by Cass Cliatt · Posted February 7, 2006; 10:49 a.m.
Princeton University's reponse to Feb. 7 Wall Street Journal article about the lawsuit filed by members of the Robertson family against the University and four University-designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation. The article relies heavily on materials submitted by members of the family in one of a series of pre-trial motions recently filed with the court.
Excerpts from the University's motions seeking summary judgment
by Cass Cliatt · Posted January 9, 2006; 05:28 p.m.
In 1961, Marie Robertson donated $35 million in A&P stock "to and for the use of" Princeton University. The assets were placed in a foundation and, at Mrs. Robertson's request, dedicated to the development and expansion of the graduate program of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
University seeks summary judgment on three key Robertson litigation issues
by Cass Cliatt · Posted January 9, 2006; 04:48 p.m.
Attorneys representing Princeton University and four University-designated trustees of the Robertson Foundation today asked New Jersey Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster to grant summary judgment on three key issues in the lawsuit regarding the Foundation that was filed by members of the Robertson family in July 2002. The Robertson Foundation is organized as a “supporting organization” of the University for the purpose of supporting the graduate program of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
University seeks resolution of key issues in Robertson lawsuit
by Lauren Robinson-Brown · Posted February 2, 2005; 03:29 p.m.
Attorneys for Princeton University Feb. 2 filed papers in New Jersey Superior Court seeking a judicial declaration that the University, and through it the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, is and will remain the sole beneficiary of the Robertson Foundation. The foundation was established in 1961 to expand and support the graduate program in the Woodrow Wilson School.
Implementing the Mission of the Robertson Foundation
by Staff · Posted June 2, 2003; 10:00 a.m.
The Robertson Foundation was created in 1961 as a result of the generosity of Marie Robertson and her husband, Charles, a member of the Princeton Class of 1926. The mission of the Foundation, as set forth in its Certificate of Incorporation, is “[t]o establish or maintain and support at Princeton University, as part of the Woodrow Wilson School, a Graduate School, where men and women dedicated to public service may prepare themselves for careers in government service, with particular emphasis on the education of such persons for careers in those areas of the Federal Government that are concerned with international relations and affairs.”
Response filed by University in Robertson Foundation lawsuit
by Lauren Robinson-Brown · Posted November 4, 2002; 12:10 a.m.
Responding to a lawsuit filed by William Robertson and other members of the Robertson family in July 2002, the University joined President Shirley M. Tilghman and three other University-appointed trustees of the Robertson Foundation in filing a motion in New Jersey Superior Court today asking that the lawsuit be dismissed.
Statement submitted to CBS Evening News
by Cass Cliatt · Posted February 12, 2007; 01:00 p.m.
Princeton University submitted the following statement to CBS Evening News for a segment on the Robertson litigation that aired on Feb. 11, 2007. The statement was edited extensively and did not appear in its entirety.