by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

The University has committed to a $10 million investment of the endowment in the Village and related initiatives. David Shipps, Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations, made the announcement at the Oct. 25 Sewanee Community Council meeting. In regular business, the council voted to hold a special election to fill a vacant seat and approved a constitution revision formalizing the decision to expand council representation and voting district boundaries to include the entire 37375 zip code. The council also discussed how to better facilitate communication to the community at large.

The investment “will allow [the University] to fulfill its mission to continue to attract and retain students, faculty and staff,” Shipps said. He stressed the endowment had a “fiduciary responsibility” to make investments yielding returns, which helped realize the mission. Investments in the Village have both a “financial return” and a “qualitative return,” Shipps pointed out. He forecast investments focusing on “commercial offerings befitting a college community” and “residential solutions” providing affordable housing.

Council representative Eric Keen asked if given the “investment structure…non-revenue generating” initiatives such as the Sewanee Community Center fit into the plan. “Look at it as a portfolio, rather than individual initiatives,” Shipps replied. Non-revenue generating initiatives could “fold into the strategy.”

Provost Nancy Berner outlined two options for filling the District 4 seat vacated by Mary Priestley who no longer lives in the district. At the September meeting, the council discussed the possibility of Priestley serving as an at-large member and an at-large representative residing in District 4 assuming Priestley’s seat. Berner explained the constitution did not allow “swapping” seats since council members were elected representatives. Nor did the constitution allow for appointing a representative to fill a vacancy. By the constitution, the seat could remain vacant until the November 2022 election or the council could hold a special election to fill the vacancy. Lynn Stubblefield volunteered to serve as election officer. Council member Phil White suggested voting by email, as well as at the Lease Office.

By the constitutional revision expanding voting district boundaries, all Franklin County and Marion County registered voters in the 37375 zipcode area can serve on the council and vote in the council election. “It’s a lovely correction [to the constitution] to include all the citizens that have a 37375 zip code,” Stubblefield said. Deepwoods and Midway will become part of District 1; Jump Off will be in District 2; Sherwood Road will be in District 3; and Roark’s Cove will be in District 4, Berner said. Constitutional revisions require two readings. The council will reaffirm the revision at the January meeting.

After lengthy discussion, the council voted to publish meeting minutes, once approved, on the Lease Office website page. The minutes will be available to the Messenger to publish at the newspaper’s discretion. Messenger editor Kiki Beavers suggested devoting a page on the Messenger website to the council minutes. Council representative Shirley Taylor insisted if the minutes appeared in the print version, they should be in a prominent position with a boldface headline. Keen asked, if in addition to the minutes, there could be a mechanism for funneling important information to the community. Keen gave the example of the recent change in COVID policy. Vice-Chancellor Reuben Brigety recommended that he or another senior official address the public at a special event when issues arose.