Shapiro v. Columbia Union National Bank & Trust Co.

I

This case is one of first impression in Missouri. It involves the administration of a private trust to provide scholarship funds for the benefit of “deserving Kansas City Missouri boys” to attend the University of Kansas City at the time of establishment of the trust a private university. After the establishment of the trust and subsequent to the settlor’s death, the University became part of the University of Missouri. The trust excludes women.

The issue confronting us is whether the University is so entwined with the administration of the trust so as to rise to the level of “state action”…