The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in November that university presidents can sever ties with affiliated entities. That high court ruling determined that The MUW Alumnae Association was no longer formally affiliated with Mississippi University for Women and barred the association from using the university name and trademarks. On Feb. 2nd, the Alumnae Association received notice that its request for a rehearing was denied.
The decision confirms that the organization no longer receives recognition and support from the university, but it does not mean that the Association is disbanded or defunct. On the contrary, according to Association president Kym Golden Gore. The association is carrying on its efforts to represent alumnae and alumni, and we're continuing its good work and service to our beloved W.
While we would have preferred to remain affiliated, renaming the organization Mississippi's First Alumnae Association describes the original and historic association and allows it to remain a viable, independent and successful organization committed to serving Mississippi University for Women," she said. "Our organization has dedicated itself to MUW for nearly 120 years, and we will continue to work for the benefit of MUW for at least the next 120 years.
The Alumnae Association has been carrying on its regular schedule of programs and meetings, Gore said. The group's Winter Board Meeting was held Jan. 31 in Columbus. The meeting was held off campus after the University's attorney notified the group that they would not be allowed to use campus facilities or communicate with university employees.
The Association decided at that Board meeting to continue its long-standing support of the university first by changing its name and then by establishing itself as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity. The change in status will designate the association as a charitable and tax-exempt organization and will allow it to offer tax-deductible status to contributions.
According to Gore, "Even before the Supreme Court issued its ruling, MUW President Dr. Claudia Limbert rejected all of the Association's efforts to support the W. Whether the association is affiliated or not, our goal is the same to support MUW and her mission. By seeking 501(c)(3) status, the association will have an opportunity to undertake a broader range of projects that support MUW, Gore said, noting that that the organization has continued to work on behalf of MUW throughout the legal appeals process and even fully endowed a new scholarship after it was disaffiliated. She added that there is no current move to cancel any pending plans or upcoming events.
In fact, the Alumnae Association is already incorporating its new name into its efforts to represent MUW's alumnae and alumni and to carry out an extensive agenda designed to support the university and its historic mission, Gore said. The organization's Web site, targeted to all MUW alumnae and alumni, will now have the domain name www.msfirstalumnae.com, and its electronic newsletter which features alumnae, alumni and organizational news will continue regular distribution under the new name.
In addition, the group has announced a slate of officers for the coming year and is moving forward with its plans for an electronic voting process. This expanded elections protocol is being implemented with voting for new officers and Board of Directors members to take place through electronic and mail-in ballots Feb. 15-March 15. All votes will be counted and certified by an independent auditor and will be announced during MUW's Homecoming in April.
Mississippi University for Women's original and historic alumnae association is now Mississippi's First Alumnae Association, but despite the name change the Alumnae Association's commitment to the university has not changed in its nearly 120 years. For more information about Mississippi's First Alumnae Association, visit the organization's Web site, www.msfirstalumnae.com.