The sale of an 80,000-acre forest could provide a big financial boost for N.C. State University’s Forestry and Environmental Resources Department, but the proposal is drawing sharp criticism from faculty and alumni, who say this “crown jewel” of the forestry program is too important to lose.
NCSU’s Natural Resources Foundation board agreed earlier this month to sell Hofmann Forest, established in 1934 just north of Jacksonville by the forestry department’s founding dean, J.V. Hofmann. The foundation oversees management of Hofmann Forest, as well as other land and investments held by the College of Natural Resources, and its recommendation now goes to the NCSU Board of Trustees for a vote.
“In deciding about the future of the Hofmann, the Foundation considered which options would provide the greatest good for the largest number of CNR faculty, staff and students, and our professions, over the long term,” foundation President Brenda Brickhouse and Natural Resources Dean Mary Watzin said in an email after the decision earlier this month.
A financial analysis determined that income from investing the projected $117 million sale price would ultimately outweigh the educational benefits of Hofmann Forest, Brickhouse said.
From The Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/27/3817429/proposed-sale-of-nc-state-research.html