Save Watkins needs your support.  We must act now!

Dearest community,

It is difficult to ask for support, especially during such a challenging time for our global economy due to COVID-19, but we have officially reached a critical stage for Save Watkins. After repeatedly being blocked by the Board at every turn, our only option, and our one last hope, lies in pressing our lawsuit. If you are able to contribute in any capacity, know that your support goes towards ensuring the future of a 135-year legacy.  

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

• Visit the Save Watkins Gofundme page and donate. Donations of all amounts make a difference. 
• Think of friends who share your passion for saving Watkins. Ask them personally to donate and share the Gofundme link.
• Share our Gofundme page link on Facebook. Don’t forget to set the privacy to “public”.
• “Like” our Facebook group “Save Watkins” and share links from the page with your FB friends and interest groups.
• Share on your other social media channels (Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
• Invite friends to check out our Website to keep up with the latest. www.savewatkins.com

What will the money be used for? 
- Filing fees and cost of process servers
- Research costs including labor and duplicating fees
- Attorney labor costs
- Public communication costs

Any donation surplus beyond Save Watkins’ legal costs will be allocated to a scholarship fund for current Watkins students.

How will we win?
The Watkins Board claims that Watkins is a private entity. We believe we can prove it is not. If Watkins is deemed private, they can conduct the deal. If judged public, they cannot…at least not without a proper, transparent, public process and a vote by the State Legislature.

In Summary
The Watkins-Belmont deal forces two misaligned entities - a public, independent art college with a private, religious institution. It also proposes to give away Watkins’ public trust to Belmont University without legislative oversight. We hoped that the Watkins Commissioners and Board of Trustees would take pause and listen to the community directly impacted by this flawed deal. Unfortunately, they refuse. Fighting them in court is our only remaining option. Please join us in our continued efforts to Save Watkins. 

We are incredibly grateful to our Save Watkins supporters and donors.