The University of Wyoming administration carefully reviewed the position of some in the media suggesting that meeting in executive session with UW's litigation attorney for an interpretation of a recent court opinion constituted a violation of the state's open meetings statute. After thorough review, UW remains convinced that the attorney-client privilege is protected under the state's open meetings statute.
Although UW will rigorously defend its actions when necessary, there has already been more than enough recent litigation and attorney wrangling. As a result, the executive session and appearance by UW's litigation counsel will be canceled from the Board of Trustees' July 15-17 retreat agenda. Since no action was scheduled and discussion with legal counsel was the purpose of the executive session, it will be eliminated in order to avoid offending those contending a violation of the state's open meetings statute or worse, prompt further lawsuits.
If there are any changes to UW policy, they will be discussed in open session at the September meeting, as planned.
