OCTOBER 27, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(NASHVILLE, TN, October 27, 2020) A Davidson County judge ruled on Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit by local activists who had challenged the takeover of Watkins College of Art by Belmont University.
“What became clear in this case is that the old guard of commissioners were ready to throw in the towel on a public institution that was so rich in history and of great benefit to Nashville,” said plaintiff’s attorney Kevin Teets. “Attorney Fagan and I were proud to represent the new guard--two art students who simply wanted to feel they belonged and were valued-- and their mentor who fought to have transparency and answers as to why Watkins was being dismantled. We certainly wish the ruling were different, but we are proud to have fought alongside these three brave and principled individuals.”
Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal issued a lengthy ruling that concluded that the “Save Watkins” plaintiffs lack the legal "standing" to bring the action, and the fact that Belmont and Watkins have gone ahead with the merger has rendered much of the suit "moot", or no longer legally relevant. The “Save Watkins” lawsuit had attempted to unravel the planned merger of the schools, and block the multimillion-dollar gift of Watkins real estate to Belmont -- a gift that the activists describe as a "raid" of public funds. Because the suit was dismissed on “lack of standing”, the judge did not opine on the factual allegations by the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit accuses the state-appointed Watkins Commissioners of violating their legal duty to operate the school according to the terms of a public trust that was established by state law in 1881. That law accepted a gift of land and money to the state by the will of philanthropist Samuel Watkins, for the purpose of establishing a public institution for the benefit of Nashville students.
The plaintiff’s attorneys have not announced whether they will appeal.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit on behalf of "Save Watkins" are Kenneth Strawn and Amari Harris, two former students of Watkins College of Art, and Mark Schlicher, an alumnus and former instructor. They are represented by attorneys Kevin Teets, Jr., and Jonathon Fagan.