The family that donated what has become approximately $550 million to support the Wilson School is continuing with litigation against the University, and so far there has been no attempt to mediate the dispute.
The family members of the Robertson Foundation — endowed in 1961 through a $35 million gift by Charles Robertson '26 and his wife Marie Robertson — are displeased with the direction of the Wilson School and the financial management of the foundation's assets. The Robertsons created the foundation exclusively to support the Wilson School and to fill what they saw as a need for a new educational institution dedicated to public service.
The family members have long questioned why so few graduate students at the Wilson School pursue careers in the public sector. And, they now want to reclaim the money and give it to a different university.
In the lawsuit, filed July 17 at Mercer County Superior Court, the family members allege that the University is trying to commingle the foundation's finances with those of the general University endowment. The foundation provides 75 percent of the Wilson School's operating budget.
They also allege that the University wants to disband the foundation's voluntary investment committee and instead employ PRINCO, the University's own investment company.
University officials have disputed the claims and said they thought the lawsuit was unfortunate.
Recent events have led the family members to believe otherwise. Fifty-four million dollars of the foundation's assets have been shifted from Essex Investment Management Company to one of the main companies handling PRINCO's portfolio, Fiduciary Trust International. The foundation's investment committee, which comprises family and University-appointed members, continues to debate the benefit of an outside investment adviser in the midst of litigation. So far, the two parties remain opposed.
Family members also contend that the University has compromised the original stipulations of the foundation by using some of its money to fund a building not used exclusively by the Wilson School. Wallace Hall, built half with Robertson Foundation funds, also houses the sociology department and other academic programs. However, the building is primarily used by the Wilson School.
Thomas Wright '62, vice president and secretary of the University and secretary of the Robertson Foundation for the last 25 years, said the family members' claims were not legal issues but just disagreements between two parties.
"We don't really believe there is a need for or a reason for the litigation that has been commenced," he said. The University has also said it does not believe the family members have a legal right to rescind the money.
"There is deep disappointment and a great surprise to the University," Wright said. "[Robertson] was effusive in his praise for [former President Harold Shapiro] at the last meeting of the board of trustees that Shapiro presided at. There has been 40 years of very good working relationship and never been a disputed vote."
William Robertson '72, the son of Charles Robertson, has led the plaintiffs' side against the Robertson Foundation and three of its members, the University and President Tilghman. The seven-member board has four University-appointed members and three family members.
In response to claims that the Wilson School has not succeeded in placing graduate students in public service, the University defended its track record by citing statistics of recent graduates' career choices. For the last five years, between 37 and 55 percent of Wilson School graduate students have pursued public service jobs.
For now the two parties have refused to meet or come to any agreement, each side filing formal requests for the other's documents.
Judge Neil Shuster of the Superior Court will hear a motion Friday for the plaintiffs to have out-of-state counsel. The University has hired outside counsel and will prepare a formal answer to the complaint by early October, Wright said.
Wright added he expects the litigation to take years to conclude if it is not resolved through other means. He anticipates outside attorneys will take on the legal work.
"The lawyers talk to one another, but there doesn't seem to be any real interest to resolve the matter," Wright said. "We would still seek to avoid it."
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