FAQs

 

Why did you file the lawsuit against Princeton University?

As the trusted agent of the Robertson Foundation, created by a generous donation from our parents in 1961, Princeton University had the responsibility of pursuing the foundation’s mission and utilizing the foundation’s resources in this pursuit. Unfortunately, the University has paid no more than lip service to the mission and has, instead, used the foundation’s funds for projects completely unrelated to the mission.

 

But Princeton says it has pursued the mission of preparing students for public service?

Princeton University officials purposefully use the words public service instead of government service to justify their actions. Our parents’ wishes, however, were not to prepare students for “public service” in the broad sense, but rather to prepare students for careers in government service, with a particular emphasis on international relations. The Foundation’s Composite Certificate of Incorporation, reviewed and accepted by the Princeton Administration and Executive Committee prior to accepting the gift in 1961, is very clear in this matter.

 

Moreover, Princeton’s own words show that they understood the mission they accepted: “… objective was to gather in excellent young people from all quadrants of American life, to work with them for two or three years, and then to channel them into the Federal government, particularly the State Department.” (November 15, 1972 Memo from Woodrow Wilson School Dean John Lewis to the Robertson Foundation Board)

 

Isn’t the mission of preparing men and women for careers in government service too narrow, and impossible to accomplish?

Now, more than ever, we need the best and brightest and most committed serving in government, advancing our country’s interests. With up to 50 percent of the current federal government workforce eligible to retire in the next several years, there will be a strong demand for qualified applicants. And many students appear motivated to serve. A recent survey by the Partnership for Public Service found 42 percent of college students were “extremely or very interested” in government jobs.

 

Princeton claims your family is trying to seize control of the Foundation’s assets for personal advantage. Is this true?

This is absolutely false. As Princeton knows, we have never had nor would we want access to the Robertson Foundation’s assets. We are committed to honoring our parents wishes and serving the people of the United States.

 

If you don’t want the assets, what do you want to do with the money if you win the lawsuit?

If we are successful in our attempt to remove Princeton’s control of the Robertson Foundation, we will work with universities and others to pursue the Foundation’s mission of preparing the most able and committed candidates for careers in government service, particularly in those areas that are concerned with international relations.

 

How will you accomplish this?

After establishing a new Robertson Foundation with a qualified professional staff, we will work to develop cutting-edge programs with the federal government, universities across the country, and other organizations interested in developing a highly talented federal government workforce.