Frequently Asked Questions
February 2022
The AAMC recently hosted a successful Special Meeting & Town Hall on February 8th via Zoom. The meeting was requested initially by those petitioning to end the lawsuit, who gave presentations alongside BOG members about the history and outcomes of the lawsuit. The meeting also covered the future of the AAMC and heard reflections from AAMC President Viji Nakka-Cammauf.
Legal & Financial | Petitioner’s Poll | Northeastern Acquisition | Mills Legacy & Community
Legal & Financial
AAMC Legal Financial Summary as of 12/31/21
| Debits | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Litigation Costs | $1,385,915 | -- |
| Designated Donations to Legal Fees (includes $100K year end donation) | -- | $402,000 |
| For Generations Still Donations | -- | $252,888 |
| January Liability | $15,000 | -- |
| Totals | $1,400,915 | $654,888 |
| Balance funded by AAMC General Fund | $746,027 |
Will the AAMC get its $2M loan back from the College and when?
Yes. It will be returned in August 2022.
Will there be more legal action?
The AAMC has no intention or interest in a future lawsuit.
What would precipitate another lawsuit from the AAMC?
The question of whether to file a lawsuit always requires consideration of numerous facts and circumstances when they arise. Currently, there is no interest in pursuing further legal action.
Petitioners’ Poll
The poll, created by petitioners wishing to end the lawsuit, can be found on the back of the hard copy letters we sent to each of you in January. These must be postmarked by February 22, 2022.
Only those polls that have an ID will be counted. However, if you sent one in without an ID you may request another letter be sent to you by writing to aamc@mills.edu. Your Mills or Student ID may be found in the address block of your Mills Quarterly, or in the email sent to you the week of January 30 by the AAMC.
Who will review the results of the petitioner’s poll?
Micheline Beam will supervise, and those counting the poll are members of the Nominating Committee: Myila Granberry, Benita Harris, and Camelia Franklin.
After the poll count is verified by objective persons, what will be the path of action dependent on the results?
This is not an election, per se, but rather a poll. There are no actions being considered by the Board of Governors at this time, however, the results of this poll will be noted and factored in should any actions be considered in the future.
Northeastern Acquisition
How is the AAMC fighting or not fighting the College on the NEU acquisition?
The AAMC is not fighting the College on the Northeastern acquisition.
Is the acquisition a done deal?
The acquisition is not technically final until approximately June 30. There are a number of regulatory steps which must be completed.
Can anything be done to stop the merger now and does the AAMC plan to try?
The AAMC is not aware of any avenues to stop the merger which has not been explored. The AAMC is not engaged in any action to stop the merger/acquisition.
Mills Legacy & Community
How do we help students (in their time of need)?
Many in our student body are faced with financial hardship and food insecurity which the pandemic’s restrictions have exacerbated. The AAMC has contributed to the Mills College-run student hardship fund to assist students who have lost jobs as a result of business shutdowns, for example. The AAMC can further financially assist with ongoing contributions to this fund and to the food pantry to ensure students’ basic living needs are met.
As Mills goes through its transition to Mills College at Northeastern, the AAMC can help students by ensuring the information on the Mills website is current and accurate so as to assist our students in making the best decisions possible for their academic careers.
How can the AAMC work to preserve the important history and legacy of Mills College?
The AAMC will work from the inside out to continuously strengthen its own organizational operations and foster a culture of accountable leadership that unites and empowers all Mills College alumnae. Through our collective efforts, we will continue to carry the legacy of Mills College forward.