by James A. Bacon

Last week Bacon’s Rebellion published a column by Bob Morris which mentioned a lawsuit that dissident Virginia Military Institute alumni had filed against the VMI Alumni Association. The petition demanded records that would allow dissident alumni access to 20,0000+ alumni emails to communicate with other alumni ahead of the association’s annual meeting.

The lawsuit argued that all “members” of a Virginia nonstock corporation — in this case, all VMI alumni — were allowed access to all corporate records, including the email addresses. That lawsuit was heard in Rockbridge County Circuit Court a week ago Thursday. The bottom line: dissidents got the postal mailing addresses but not the email addresses, and the alumni association’s annual meeting was not postponed.

Says Morris, who was not a party in the case but who collaborates with the plaintiffs: “Not a complete victory, but not a complete loss.”

Morris did not elaborate other than to pass along the official statement of Anthony Moore, president of the VMI Alumni Association.

Dear Board Members, Chapter Presidents, Regional Directors, Class Agents, VMI Alumni Agencies Staff, and Members of the Administration,

Regarding the court hearing mentioned last week: The hearing was held today in Rockbridge County Circuit Court. The judge denied the petitioners’ request for the postponement of the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Alumni Association and denied their request for the email addresses of all VMI alumni.

Therefore, the Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Alumni Association will proceed as planned May 6, 2023, beginning at 8 a.m.

We look forward to seeing you there.