What started out as a group of VMI graduates to consider their time at VMI and support other alumni has evolved into a VMI promotion and profit-making machine, according to the lawsuit.
A frustrated group of Virginia Military Institute students has launched a new conflict, some of whom have recently opposed the university’s growing support for DEI.
The angry students have filed a civil rights lawsuit against VMI Alumni Agencies, alleging that school officials have too much influence over the connection between the university and the standard old university.
According to the lawsuit, the alumni association is the oldest public school alumni association in the country and was established in 1842.
The problem outlines that the initial purpose of the students group was to” to keep organizations, friends, and thoughts of cadet life”, but over time, as more money has been raised through the VMIAA and another generous organization, the VMI Foundation, VMI has increasingly relied on them for cash.
” On regular, the VMIAA and Foundation contribute around$ 27, 000, 000.00 per year to VMI, which represents 38%-50 % of VMI’s operating annual budget and is more than the sum contributed by the state”, the complaint contends.
The two are now “indistinguishable and are absolutely dependent on one another for existence,” according to the statement, which explains why campus leaders largely assumed control of the two, adding that this demonstrates that the alumni team benefits the school rather than its members.
In recent years, the complaint contends, VMI Alumni Agencies has unjustly suspended people and poorly amended its Articles of Incorporation and regulations, among other claims.
Additionally, the complaint alleges that VMI Alumni Agencies has unlawfully used a plan to reduce and control VMIAA people at its” sole choice” outside of the meaning of the Articles of Incorporation and has unlawfully silenced VMIAA members who question the organization’s control or direction, including some of the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit claims that what started as a group of VMI graduates to remember their time at VMI and to support other alumni has grown into a VMI marketing and profit-making machine.
Reached for comment, a VMI spokesperson told The College Fix it does not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit is related to the “absence of the democratic process and the state’s taking over of the alumni association,” according to attorney Paul Curley, who represents the plaintiffs.
” VMI is a state agency, “he said.
Because their voice has been withdrawn from the board of directors, according to Curley, the lawsuit seeks to restore members ‘ rights.
Curley said that the plaintiffs” want what’s best for VMI at the end of the day, but they do n’t like that their freedom of speech has been infringed upon.”
The complaint seeks to address the “pervasively interwoven and engaged… symbiotic” “relationship between the two” and restore the alumni group’s members ‘ legitimate and legitimate control. It was submitted on June 10.
The VMI Alumni Association described the plaintiffs as a” small group of alumni,” and stated that it intends to vigorously defend itself. ” The suit lists 28 plaintiffs.
The VMI Alumni Association, according to the group’s email, “denies that it acted inappropriately or has violated any ] of the plaintiffs ‘ rights.”
MORE: VMI alumni work to stifle alumni donations to end DEI programs at schools
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