The philanthropist who pledged a record $26.5 million to the University of Alabama said the school is harming students by returning his donation after he spoke out about abortion.

Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. encouraged students to boycott the university in response to the state’s controversial new abortion law, which does not allow for exceptions in instances of rape or incest.

"It has been painful to witness administrators at the university choose zealotry over the well-being of its own students, but it’s another example of the damage this attack on abortion rights will do to Alabama," the 70-year-old Alabama native wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post on Friday.

Less money will be available for scholarships and fewer resources will be available to the school, he noted, calling himself a political independent.

The institution removed Culverhouse's name from the law school after returning the $21.5 million Culverhouse had given from his pledge.

“At the end of the day, the people who will be most harmed by the university’s decision are those who need help the most. Fewer students will have scholarships that could provide resources for them to unlock their potential, and administrators have sent a message to young women that their agency is not respected or valued. And for what, to send a message that the school doesn’t respect the very law it purports to teach?” Culverhouse wrote.

He said his family is considering other ways to help support students in light of the university’s decision.

The university has denied it’s returning the donation because of the abortion comments. It says it based its decision on Culverhouse’s “numerous demands” about how the university is operated.