University of Virginia Library

SEWARD FOREST

The President reported on the possible sale of The Seward Forest in Brunswick County, Virginia. Seward Forest was devised to the University in 1932 by Dr. Walter M. Seward, in trust, for certain educational purposes related to forestry. By his Will, Dr. Seward provided for a termination of the trust if, in the opinion of the Board of Visitors of the University, further developments in the fields of education, science or industry might render its purposes impracticable or unwise. In this event, the property or any parts thereof might be sold by the University and the proceeds applied to such purposes as the Board might deem wise.

It was pointed out that, when the Seward Forest was a part of the University's educational program under the Department of Forestry, it served the University and the profession of forestry in accord with Dr. Seward's original plans. However, the development of the Department of Forestry was discontinued in 1957 and the department abolished. Since then the University has not deemed it practical or wise to attempt a forestry degree program. In addition, the Governor's Management Study of 1970, convened by the Governor to provide comprehensive suggestions for improving economy and efficiency in government administration, recommended the sale of the Seward Forest with the revenue therefrom to be earmarked for the University Endowment Fund.

The Board then discussed the report of the University Arboretum Committee concerning the Seward Forest. According to this report, the Seward Forest has played no significant role in the education processes of the University since the removal of forestry as a degree program and has made only a modest contribution to forestry education in the State through service to other institutions and organizations. In addition, although the land and timber value of the Seward Forest has significantly appreciated, generally the yearly expenses of operation have exceeded the income received from sale of forest products.

There followed a discussion of Dr. Seward's Will, the history of the Seward Forest operation, the recommendations of the Governor's Management Study, and the Arboretum Committee Report. The President advised the Board that the Arboretum Committee is on record as being opposed to the sale of Seward Forest.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

• RESOLVED by The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia that as contemplated by Article SIXTH of the Will of Dr. Walter M. Seward probated in the Clerk's Office of Brunswick County, Virginia in 1932, further developments in the fields of education, science, and industry have rendered the purposes of the trust imposed by the Will upon the Seward Forest in such county, to be unwise and therefore, pursuant to the terms of Dr. Seward's Will, the aforesaid trust be and it is hereby terminated.
• RESOLVED FURTHER that the President and Comptroller be and either of them is hereby authorized and directed, with the consent of the Governor first obtained, to execute appropriate instruments and do all acts necessary to convey the Seward Forest to an acceptable buyer, such instruments as may be required to be subject to the approval of the University's Special Counsel.
• RESOLVED FURTHER that, after any such sale, in accordance with Article SIXTH of Dr. Seward's Will, the Board shall apply the funds derived from such sale, together with all other funds then remaining in the University's hands under Dr. Seward's Will, to such purposes as the Board may deem wise.