Dear Clemson,
Few events this semester generated as much interest and discussion as the Urban Land Institute's case study of potential development of three lakefront properties. In my remarks at Wednesday's Faculty/Staff Meeting, I announced that there would be a town meeting to discuss issues surrounding land use on Thursday, January 27. That meeting will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Brooks Center.
To prepare for the meeting, I thought it would be helpful if I explained how the ULI project came about. When we adopted our vision of being one of the nation's top 20 public universities, we knew our greatest challenge would be finding adequate resources. That challenge increased dramatically after budget cuts reduced our state funding by 25 percent. In the summer of 2001, the Board of Trustees made a bold statement about their commitment to Clemson's vision when they approved an unprecedented tuition increase. But they also directed us to look for all other possible revenue sources. One specific recommendation was to analyze how our lakefront land assets might be utilized to generate revenue for academic programs.
In response, in 2002, a group of University officials from campus planning, land management, and the Foundation developed a land utilization plan. The first task was to narrow the scope by establishing criteria that make a tract attractive for development, such as access to existing roads, proximity to campus, access to deep water, and so on. Eight tracts fit all criteria, but most of the parcels identified are used for research, teaching or public service activities, or provide public recreational opportunities. I have taken those properties “off the table” for possible development, leaving the sites known as the Y Beach, Ravenel property and Robinson property for consideration for development or other possible use, such as expansion of the campus. The plan was never formally adopted, and there was no further discussion of possible development until this fall. An alumnus offered the services of the ULI organization to Clemson as a gift-in-kind. We accepted, and invited a ULI panel to offer ideas about possible uses for the three parcels. The ULI panel's recommendations that can be found on the Clemson Web site at http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/ULI/. The land utilization plan is on reserve in the library.
You may send comments about the ULI project in advance of the January meeting via e-mail to TOWNMTG@CLEMSON.EDU. I will personally review all of the comments received.
At the town meeting, however, I would like to expand the discussion beyond the ULI project and begin a dialogue about broader issues related to land use. This is a discussion we need to have. I believe we have some property that should be protected forever and treated as a national park. But we have, on occasion, converted land resources to endowments if it was clear that through this reallocation of assets (from land to endowments) Clemson could better meet its educational mission. Projects such as the Sandhill development and the Madren Center are examples of such actions. We have an obligation to ensure that all of Clemson's assets are working to help us achieve our mission and vision. How do we find the proper balance between preservation and utilization? What process can help us make wise decisions?
In my remarks to the Faculty and Staff, I shared my personal list of guiding principles for the utilization of Clemson lands, which I drafted last April. They are as follows:
- Clemson will develop a plan, for Board of Trustee approval, to guide the short- and long-term use of land.
- The educational, research and service missions of the University will have priority for use of University land.
- Planning priority will be given to keeping the largest land holdings intact.
- In order to ensure that land will remain a valuable asset to fulfill the University's mission, the existing acreage of federal Land Use property (approximately 20,000 acres) will be maintained.
- Any development on Clemson property will serve as a model for development and will demonstrate best practices in environmental policy, protecting existing and future research projects as well as sites of historic property.
- Whenever possible, projects will engage faculty and students to enrich the educational experience at Clemson.
- Proceeds from the sale or development of University land will be assigned to support University goals as determined by the president and approved by the Board of Trustees.
- All appropriate federal, state and local laws and regulations will be followed in the sale, development or exchange of University land.
I welcome your feedback on these ideas. I hope that one outcome of the town meeting will be consensus on a set of guiding principles and a process that can help us develop a long-term plan to make wise decisions about land use.
Clemson was established with a bequest of land and other assets by Thomas Green Clemson. Through good financial stewardship, entrepreneurship, and gifts Clemson has increased its land holdings to some 31,000 acres in order to better meet its educational mission to the people of South Carolina. Less than 1 percent of Clemson's land was acquired with state funds. As a land grant university, much of our teaching, research and public service programs are land based. The wise use of this land is essential to Clemson's ability to meet its educational mission.
Over the next few weeks, I hope you will reflect on the ideas in this letter and be prepared to contribute to our discussion in January.
Sincerely,
Jim Barker