University of Virginia Library

NORTHERN VIRGINIA COLLEGE SITE

Mr. Fenwick presented a proposal by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Fairfax to purchase
and present to the University as a free gift 150 acres of land known as the Farr Tract as
a permanent site for the University's Northern Virginia College, which is now being operated in
temporary quarters at Bailey's Cross Roads pending construction of the proposed permanent
college at Sunset Hills, near Herndon, Virginia

There were expressions of appreciation for the generous offer by the Town of Fairfax. It
was pointed out by several Visitors, however, that the Board was no longer free in good faith to
consider alternate sites, having firmly committed the University to acceptance of the site
offered as a free gift by the Messrs. Bowman. Having taken this action in February, members
noted, the Board had subsequently approved a deed of conveyance, as agreed to by attorneys for
the University and for the Messrs. Bowman, and on April 12th had instructed the administrative
officers of the University to execute the Deed as soon as the Governor should give his approval
to the document, as is required by law

It was the consensus of opinion that given these circumstances, the Board could not undertake
an exploration of the Fairfax proposal unless the Governor should suggest such a study