Opinion ID: 1059541
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the divinity school

Text: Although we hold that Regent's general participation in the VCBA bond program does not violate Article I, § 16 of the Constitution of Virginia, we find the specific language of Article VIII, § 11 and the specific terms of the Act prohibit use of bond-financed facilities by the School of Divinity. The constitutional provision states in pertinent part that aid may not be given for facilities to provide religious training or theological education. Additionally, the VCBA Resolution approving the bond issue mandates that no bond proceeds will be used to provide facilities for the School of Divinity. Given the acknowledged mission and purpose of the School of Divinity, we find that it would violate the Act and Article VIII, § 11, as well as the VCBA Resolution to allow use of bond-financed facilities by the Regent School of Divinity. Although the trial court never reached the issue, Dr. Selig proposed that Regent make a pro-rata equity contribution for the portion of the Alexandria building utilized by the School of Divinity. If pro-rata equity contribution proved unacceptable, Dr. Selig proffered that Regent would lease space out elsewhere. We need not consider whether the pro-rata equity contribution proposal violates the Act or Article VIII, § 11, because we find that the terms of the VCBA Resolution do not provide for it. Pursuant to the Resolution, bond financed facilities may not be utilized by the School of Divinity.