Court Opinion

ID: 3898164
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 09:29:45.37433+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:54:37.559970
License: Public Domain

Mr. John Lloyd Bluntzer Chairman Board of Regents Pan American University Edinburg, Texas 78539
Re: Disposition of restricted purpose funds donated to a university
Dear Mr. Bluntzer:
You request an opinion of the legal status of $58,324 in funds transferred from your Unrestricted Donations Account No. 2901 to the Business School Excellence Fund.
It appears from your letter and supporting data that Pan American University received $76,725 in donations from various companies. These funds were restricted to use in the business school and were set aside as a Business School Excellence Fund. It further appears that a transfer of $58,324 was made from the Business School Excellence Fund, where the restricted funds were placed, to Unrestricted Donations Account and then returned to the Business School Excellence Fund.
Section 112.34 of the Texas Education Code provides:
  The board may accept donations, gifts, and endowments for the university to be held in trust and administered by the board for the purposes and under any directions, limitations, and provisions that may be declared in writing in the donation, gift, or endowment, consistent with the laws of the state and the objectives and proper management of the university.
That statute is controlling. The $58,324 in question was, according to the information you have furnished to this office, placed in the Business School Excellence Fund, removed, and returned. That sum is now in the proper account and any use of it is governed by section 112.34 of the Texas Education Code.
Your letter also indicates that a report of the Governor's Budget and Planning Office suggested that this sum be placed in the General Revenue Fund of the state. Such transfer would be contrary to section 112.34 of the Texas Education Code. The funds may be used only for those purposes authorized by the donor pursuant to section 112.34 of the Education Code.
 SUMMARY
Funds received by Pan American University by gift or donation are subject to the provisions of section 112.34 of the Texas Education Code.
Very truly yours,
  Mark White Attorney General of Texas
  John W. Fainter, Jr. First Assistant Attorney General
  Richard E. Gray III Executive Assistant Attorney General
  Jerry Cain Assistant Attorney General