University of Virginia Library

NORTHERN VIRGINIA BRANCH COLLEGE SITE

The Rector called attention to the Governor's letter of June 18, 1958, in which the Governor
requested that the Board's selection of the Sunset Hills site for the Northern Virginia Branch
College be reconsidered. Mr. Fenwick reported on the offer of a site by the Town of Fairfax. This
site consists of 150 acres adjacent to the corporate limits of the Town of Fairfax now owned by the
Farr family.

Considerable discussion ensued in which the question was raised as to the propriety of admitting
the Farr site to the list of suitable locations for the branch college without reopening the question
and giving other possible donors an opportunity to be heard. The President suggested the desirability
of obtaining a site close enough to the center of population to permit a single facility to serve
the needs of both the branch college for day instruction and the extension courses which are offered
in the evening. Attention was also directed to the fact that the offer by the Bowmans of the Sunset
Hills site would expire on October 15, 1958.

After a lengthy discussion, the Board adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia has previously approved
the following properties as suitable sites for a Branch College in Northern Virginia:

• 1. Childs

• 2. Brenizer

• 3. Bowman

and

WHEREAS, His Excellency the Governor of Virginia, under date of June 18, 1958, addressed
a communication to Honorable Colgate W. Darden, Jr., President, University of Virginia,
suggesting that the Board of Visitors of the University take another look at and reevaluate
the situation relating to the Northern Branch College of the University of Virginia
in the light of such matters and things as may have transpired since the Board's action
relative to the Bowman site; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax has secured options on 150 acres of land near the Town of
Fairfax, owned by the Farr family, which is located on Route 125 immediately adjoining the
southern boundary of the Town, and has offered the same free of any cost to the University
of Virginia as a site for a Branch College; and

WHEREAS, such a site is deemed by the Site Committee of the Board to be in every way
suitable for the establishment of a Northern Virginia Branch College:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, by the Board of Visitors that the so-called "Farr Site" be added to the list
of properties approved as suitable for the Northern Virginia Branch College, and that the
Site Committee be continued to consider any other site that might be offered.

The Secretary was instructed to write a letter to the Messrs. Bowman informing them that the
Board for reasons beyond its control could not take final action on their offer of the Sunset Hills
site before October 15, 1958.