Understanding the Robertson v. Princeton settlement

Presented here is a brief glossary of terms and case history to aid in understanding the Dec. 9, 2008, settlement agreement for the lawsuit that the Robertson family filed against Princeton University in 2002.  • Robertson v. Princeton University - The "Robertson" in the lawsuit refers to certain Robertson descendants, not the Robertson Foundation or the donor. In July 2002, descendants of donor Marie Robertson and her husband, Princeton class of 1926 alumnus Charles Robertson, sued Princeton University to redirect the funds she gave to create the Robertson Foundation for the benefit of Princeton University in 1961. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included the three Robertson-appointed members of the Robertson Foundation board, while the defendants included Princeton University itself and three of the four University-appointed members of the Robertson Foundation board, including Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman, who has chaired the board, but not including former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, who became a University-appointed trustee in May 2007. • Robertson gift - A $35 million gift from Marie Robertson created the Robertson Foundation for the benefit of Princeton University in 1961. The Robertson gift was not a bequest, as it was made while the donor was alive.