AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron plans to sell the mansion the school spent nearly $1 million renovating and furnishing for its former president.
Trustees on Wednesday authorized administrators to seek legislative approval to sell the university-owned residence. Approval is needed because the deed is in the name of the state of Ohio.
The 7,600-square-foot home, with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two half-baths and a four-car garage, has been vacant since former President Scott Scarborough moved out in the fall. Scarborough resigned last May.
In October, when Matthew Wilson was named president, the former dean of UA’s law school decided to remain in his own home.
At that time the university said it had no specific plans for the mansion.
The university had required its president to live in a university-owned residence, officials said. Wilson and the board agreed that Wilson would not live in the home or be provided with a housing allowance.
The school bought home, on Burning Tree Drive in Akron, and a neighboring lot for $850,000 in 1998 when Luis Proenza arrived as president.
Little had been done to the home during Proenza’s tenure but faculty, students and staff were angered when they learned that renovating and furnishing the home for Scarborough cost $950,000.
The university on Wednesday broke down the expenditures:
- $375,000 came from non-public donated funds resulting from the sale of previous university residences given to the UA Foundation by donors and restricted for a residence.
- $141,000 for furnishings, fixtures and equipment came from private donations.
- $167,645 in already budgeted labor costs for university employees.
- $268,179 for outside labor, materials and furniture.
A $556 olive jar in Scarborough’s bedroom became a flashpoint for students and employees upset at the cost of renovations at a time when 161 employees lost their jobs.
“To my knowledge, the purchased items and furniture (including the large planter that is referred to as an “olive jar”) remain University property and are still in the residence,” spokesman Wayne Hill said in an email. “Disposition of them will be considered as part of the overall sale process, assuming the legislative approval is obtained.”
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