FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2007
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW Alumni Association: Come together, move forward

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association on Tuesday urged fellow alumni to halt a movement to sue the university and instead to support MUW.

MUW Alumni Association President Renee Nick Flynt said Monday that a letter from MUW alumna and attorney Julie L. Hussey threatening litigation against MUW undermines the healing process the new board is trying to carry out. Hussey, of San Diego, Calif., sent the letter on behalf of the MUW Alumnae Association.

“The question before each of us, today, is whether we come together and find ways to support MUW or we escalate into a courtroom a disagreement over the details on how an association is structured," said Flynt, after meeting with the Alumni Association executive committee. “We believe it’s time to come together and we ask all alumni who feel that way to speak out now.”

On Sunday, MUW signed an affiliation agreement with the MUW Alumni Association. The affiliation agreement was signed to ensure that the university had in place an agreement with a supportive alumni association. An affiliation agreement with the MUW Alumnae Association expires April 2.
     
The Alumni Association Board is made up of 12 alumni from around the country, six of whom are current or former members of Alumnae Association Board of Directors. The interim board was named by the MUW Alumni Advisory Committee.

The interim board is charged with improving communication with alumni, renewing and strengthening bonds with alumni, supporting the university’s private fundraising plan and developing tangible benefits for MUW Alumni Association members.  “We are all alumni. We all love the university and we are asking all alumni to join with us,’’ said Flynt.

Hussey is an associate in the law firm DLA Piper of San Diego, Calif., and sent an email to Dr. Claudia Limbert on Monday explaining that the California firm had been “. . .retained to represent the Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association Board in negotiations with and litigation against you. . . .”

Flynt said, “Is a disagreement over the particular structure of the school’s ‘official’ alumni association really a valid reason to sue your alma mater? Suing MUW is not supporting MUW.  More than ever, MUW needs a supportive alumni association.”

Editorial note: The letter referenced in this press release is included in its entirety below:

DLA Piper US LLP

401 B Street, Suite 1700
San Diego, California 92101-4297
w.dlapiper.com

Julie L. Hussey
julie.hussey@dlapiper.com
T 619.699.2844
F 619.764.6644

OUR FILE NO. 125-6437

March 26,2007
VIA FACSIMILE (662-329- 7297)
AND E-MAIL (president@muw. edu)

Dr. Claudia A. Limbert, President
MUW - Office of the President
1 100 College St. W-1600
Columbus, MS 39701


Re: Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association


Dear Dr. Limbert:

DLA Piper has been retained to represent the Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association Board in negotiations with and litigation against you regarding
your unilateral disaffiliation and resulting (premature) transition measures. Please include me on any correspondence with co-counsel Jonathan Compretta of the Mike Moore Law Firm.

Again, the MUWAA Board is continually willing to negotiate with you regarding the proposed bylaws in an attempt to avoid litigation. Please contact me if you are willing to negotiate.

Sincerely,

DLA Piper US U P



Julie L. Hussey
Associate

JLH:epr

cc: Dr. Thomas C. Meredith (Via Fax)
Mr. Geoffrey Morgan (Via Fax)
Mr. J. Cal Mayo, Jr. (Via Fax)