Erskine trustees drop lawsuit against church

DUE WEST, SC (AP) - Erskine College and Seminary trustees and its alumni association have agreed to withdraw a lawsuit filed against the Presbyterian Church over control of the South Carolina college.

Trustee Richard Taylor of Greenville told the Independent-Mail of Anderson on Friday that he and others who sued feel Erskine's independence and accreditation status have been protected.

The trustees sued to prevent the replacement and removal of the college's board by the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The suit contested the church's claim that it had the right to replace trustees.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools warned the school in July that its accreditation was in danger because the school was not complying with rules that its governing body be free from excessive influence by political, religious or other groups.

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