A fight over how Tulane spends donors' money has reached the highest court in Louisiana. The school's post-Katrina reorganization has touched off a battle over donor intent.
In the 1880s, Tulane accepted a gift from Josephine Louise Newcomb to create a women's liberal arts college.
"She wanted to make certain women could have the opportunity of higher education," said Yvette Jones, Vice President of External Affairs for Tulane University. Jones says unlike in the 1880s, however, women today have plenty of access to higher education, so if Tulane wants to fold Newcomb College into the rest of its liberal arts program, it has that right.
Yvette Jones talks with WWL's Chris Miller about Tulane's position in the battle over Newcomb College:
That's not how Newcomb College supporter Renée Seblatnigg feels.
"The school accepts the money for the reasons for which it was given," Seblatnigg told WWL First News. She says if Tulane is allowed to disregard J.L. Newcomb's wishes, that would allow any organization in the state to spend donated money how it wants, even if the donor intends otherwise.
Renée Seblatnigg with the Future of Newcomb College tells WWL's Chris Miller why they believe Tulane is in the wrong:
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