Land Sale May Pay Philosophy Stipends

Professors in the philosophy department met Tuesday to discuss the allocation of funds. Professor Geoff Sayre-McCord said most of the money will go to fund graduate student stipends in the department.

When Williams, a former philosophy professor, donated the 62-acre tract to the University, one of the stipulations was that the land must be sold and the proceeds given to the philosophy department. The sale means that the University is now fulfilling its obligation.

Sayre-McCord said he could not release exactly how much money the department will receive, but UNC Board of Trustees Chairman Tim Burnett said he thinks all of the money Winmore paid for the purchase of the land tract -- more than $1 million -- will go to the department.

The donation to the philosophy department was simply an obligation the trustees always have been aware of, Burnett said, and it was not a factor in the decision to sell the satellite tract.

The land will be used to create a mixed-use development community with 96 University-owned and operated apartment units and 50 to 60 houses.

The apartments will be sold exclusively to UNC employees, and the houses will be available for purchase by employees of the town of Carrboro, UNC and UNC Hospitals.

Sayre-McCord said the money will go to pre-existing funds used to support graduate student stipends.

He said this will allow the department to compete with other graduate programs students might be interested in by offering Horace Williams Fellowships to fund graduate study.

"It gives us the (opportunity) to do some interesting things," he said.

Sayre-McCord said that he is satisfied with the outcome of the sale and that he thinks the University is complying with Williams' wishes.

"We've entered into the final stage of negotiations with the University, but I think we've reached an agreement," he said. "It is very important that the wishes of donors when they contribute are respected."

Sayre-McCord said he supports the conditions under which the land was sold because they are in compliance with Carrboro's blueprints for the future.

"It's an idea I'm behind," he said. "My sense is that the proposal is in accordance with the Carrboro plans for development."

Sayre-McCord also applauded the University's attempt to make affordable housing available to its employees through the Winmore development.

"I think it's very good for the University to be in a position to offer affordable housing," he said. "It makes a huge difference and helps take up the slack in tight financial times."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.