The University of Wyoming Faculty Senate passed a resolution at its meeting on Monday in favor of postponing the sale of the Y Cross Ranch.
Faculty Senate Chair Michael Barker said the decision of the senate would have no authority in the sale and that it would only represent the opinion of the faculty.
The Y Cross Ranch is a 60,000 acre plot of land that was donated to the UW and Colorado State University foundations for educational and scientific research purposes. The two foundations were considering selling the ranch but have decided to delay the sale due to a lawsuit that was put forth by Amy Davis, the donor’s daughter, the Associated Press reported.
Veterinary Sciences professor and Faculty Senate member Donal O’Toole advocated against selling the ranch and wrote the resolution that stated why the senate should consider keeping the ranch for a few more years.
“I think the sale should be postponed for five years. It’s one of a kind and, as far as I know, the university doesn’t have any piece of land that’s this size. It also doesn’t cost the university anything to retain,” Sen. O’Toole said. “It doesn’t bring in any money, but it’s not an oil well. The ranch is dedicated to educating students.”
Sen. Brian Towler, a chemical and petroleum engineering professor, thought the sale should be postponed because he felt Davis’ wishes were not being respected.
“I’ve given a great deal of thought in favor of this resolution. I’m supporting this for two reasons,” Sen. Towler said. “The first is that the donor’s daughter represents the donor and she feels the ranch has not been used for educational reasons. The second is that it sends a message to people who are considering donating to the university that their wishes may not be honored when it comes to their donations.”
One of the discussions was that the ranch was not used very often by faculty members. However, some felt that it was not used often due to a lack of advertisement.
English professor Carolyn Anderson said she was not aware of the Y Cross Ranch until the topic was brought up in the faculty senate meetings.
“This was the first time I’ve heard of the thing and that’s not what I would call well-advertised,” Carolyn Anderson said. “Given the legal proceedings, I don’t think it can hurt to postpone the selling of the ranch to see what use we can make of it.”
However, some faculty members were in support of selling the ranch because of the financial benefit it could potentially bring.
Chemistry professor David Anderson was in favor of selling.
“I’m comfortable with the decision the Foundation has made to sell the ranch,” David Anderson said. “If we postpone selling for five years, then that’s money those students who have already graduated will miss out on. I trust that the Foundation will make the best decisions for the university.”
Following the discussion, the senate moved to pass the resolution.
