UA Trustees Approve Return Of $26.5 million Culverhouse Donation

TUSCALOOSA, AL - The University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved Friday the return of more than $20 million to Hugh Culverhouse Jr. The decision was announced after Culverhouse publicly criticized UA and called for a boycott of the school for political reasons.

The donation prompted the school to name the University of Alabama School of Law after Culverhouse, but that, too, will be wiped from the ledger, so to speak.

Culverhouse publicly criticized the Alabama Legislature's passage of a bill that would ban abortions in the state, and on the heels of that legislation, called for a boycott of the University of Alabama.

"I cannot stand by silently and allow my name to be associated with a state educational system that teaches students law that clearly conflicts w/the U.S. Constitution and Federal law," Culverhouse said. "The discrimination against women embodied by the law could easily be extended to other Federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution decisions, which is a dangerous situation not only in Alabama but in other states contemplating similar unconstitutional laws."

The UA trustees and Chancellor Finis St. John issued a statement that announced St. John's recommendation that Culverhouse's donation be returned, but said the return has nothing to do with Culverhouse's stance on the abortion bill.

"None of the issues between the Law School and Mr. Culverhouse had anything to do with the passage of legislation in which the University had no role," said a statement by the University of Alabama System. "Donors may not dictate University administration."

"I expected this response from UA," Culverhouse said Friday. "I will not allow my family’s name to be associated with an educational system that advocates a state law which discriminates against women, disregards established Federal law and violates our Constitution. I want to make clear that I never demanded that $21.5 million be refunded and wonder if the University is attempting to silence my opinions by their quick response."

Culverhouse added, "I will not be silenced. Once again, I call on students to protest and reconsider their educational options in Alabama. I also appeal to out-of-state and international businesses to consider the consequences of conducting business in a state that discriminates against women and defies constitutional law. These boycotts and acts of resistance should remain in effect until the State of Alabama reverses the illegal anti-abortion statute."