April 30, 2001

Contact: Lynn Bretz, University Relations, (785) 864-8866.

Statement re: Watkins trust hearing

The following statement was released by Lynn Bretz, interim director of University Relations:

"The university is closely following the hearings on the challenge of the accounting provided to the court by the Bank of America. We look forward to the ruling that will be rendered by Judge Murphy.

"We are confident that the trust has been handled according to Mrs. Watkins' wishes. We say this because we've experienced no problems during the six decades the bank has administered the trust and because regulatory agencies, including the Kansas Board of Regents, the state attorney general's office and the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, have reviewed matters and found that the trust is managed properly.

"The university has a scholarship hall system that is the envy of public universities nationwide. Watkins Hall is the centerpiece of that system. The university wants the same result that the well-intentioned students involved in this action want: A hall that will continue to be the centerpiece of a stellar scholarship hall system. Regardless of what decision the court reaches, we will work with the students to achieve this common goal."