President Knapp To Testify in Corcoran Agreement Hearing

By Brittney Dunkins

George Washington University President Steven Knapp is scheduled to testify Tuesday in the D.C. Superior Court evidentiary hearing regarding the cy près petition that would allow the historic agreement between GW, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the National Gallery of Art to move forward.

The hearing, which begins today, is scheduled to continue through Thursday.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted the hearing following his ruling last Monday that seven current students, one faculty member and one staff member of the Corcoran have a special interest in the approval of the cy près petition, which would allow GW to establish the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design.

They will be among the parties represented during the proceedings.

Approval by the court of the Corcoran’s cy?près?petition is necessary before the university, the Corcoran and the National Gallery of Art conclude the agreements finalized among the three parties in May.

A final decision regarding the petition will be made following the hearing.

The university emphasized in a statement released last week that its primary concern is ensuring educational continuity for Corcoran College students and a smooth transition for students, faculty and staff.

“We are pleased the process is moving forward and are hopeful the court will make a favorable determination about cy près before the start of the school year,” the university said in a statement.