The University’s Dilemma: Should UW Sell Its Prime Seattle Land?

The report of the board of regents of the University of Washington was made public today. It is very lengthy, making a pamphlet of 130 pages, including the catalogue for the school year 1889-90.

On the subject of finances, the report says: On July 8, 1890, at the first meeting of the present board of regents, the financial status of the university was reported to the board by the treasurer of the former board, and the available cash on hand was found to be the sum of $4,162.75... The total receipts in cash to the credit of this board aggregate $8,916.05.

The balance on hand will be reduced by the first day of January, 1891, by the payments of accrued salaries and outstanding and accruing current expenses to an inconsiderable fund. The university fund... consists of the proceeds of sales of lands donated by the United States... and the admission and tuition fees of students... The third and last mentioned source of income, viz., legislative appropriations, must be now and will for some time to come continue to be, the chief reliance of our university.

The board calls attention to the fact also that of all the outstanding promissory notes due the old territorial and now due the new state university from individuals... only one note, that of William Elder for $210, seems collectible.

As further illustrative of the financial status of the university for the coming year, the members of the faculty under the pay of the board are as follows: The president of the faculty, Professor T.M. Green, draws an annual salary of $1,800. Professor O.B. Johnson draws an annual salary of $1,500... The aggregate salary list foots up $9,900.

The lands belonging to the university, or in which it has an interest, are as follows: First—A square of ground in the heart of Seattle, in King County, comprising ten acres, the joint gift to the territory of Washington in 1861 of Arthur A. Denny and wife... and of Charles C. Terry and wife... Second—The remnants of two townships of land reserved to the territory for university purposes by the act of congress approved September 25, 1862...

The Seattle grounds are the site of the university buildings. The status of these grounds remains the same as when the former university regents was considered by the last legislature. Accompanying the present report the board transmits the report of the former regents herein referred to, as exemplifying exhaustively the condition of things as regards the said site and the buildings located upon it.

It is the recommendation of this board that a law be enacted by the legislature the board of university regents, with the concurrence of the governor and secretary of state, to dispose of the present site, if deemed advisable... In the opinion of the regents ample funds are essential to the prosperity and well-being of the university, and grounds more remote from the center of a rapidly growing and expanding city.

The experience of educational institutions unites upon the idea that such institutions flourish best removed to a distance from the excitements and temptations incident to city life and its environment. If such a law be enacted, there should be found with it plenary authority... to dispose of the present site and purchase other and more suitable grounds for the university.

The board suggests that in the first legislation hereafter to be enacted by the legislature relative to university lands, there be embodied a clause accepting the provisions of the enabling act relating to the donation of lands by the United States to the state of Washington... With respect to the sale of university lands the legislature is requested to make some specific provisions.