Both sides are claiming victory after an unexpected twist in the fight to save an imploding college
This injunction forbids the school from using money raised for operating expenses to close the school within the next 60 days, according to local news outlet WDBJ7.
Sweet Briar supporters were hoping for a permanent injunction to stop the closure of the school, as well as the removal of the college's president and board of trustees. Last month, Amherst County Attorney Ellen Bowyer filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia that would have kept the college open, after Sweet Briar leadership announced in early March that the school would close following the current semester.
In a separate ruling on Tuesday, Bedford County Circuit Judge James W. Updike Jr. ruled that Bowyer does have standing to bring the case, in a victory for those trying to keep the college open, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. However, the judge also ruled that Sweet Briar is a corporation and not a trust, which is a victory for the college.
Updike hopes a compromise will come from this decision, according to Hawes Spencer, a local journalist covering the case.
Sweet Briar College sent the following statement to Business Insider following Updike's ruling:
We are pleased with the judge's decision today. It was clear he carefully reviewed the law and evidence. We will certainly abide by the court's ruling as it applies to the use of funds. This ruling, however, allows us to continue to work closely with the Office of the Virginia Attorney General for an orderly and responsible wind down of operations. We recognize this is a difficult situation for everyone involved and we, too, mourn the loss of the College.
Bowyer told local news station WDBJ7 that she plans to appeal Tuesday's decision and bring the case to the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Amherst County attorney will an order that would keep the school open, according to WDBJ7.
The school's alumnae also seem to believe that the fight to save their school isn't over.