Barrytown Update
The following statement was given by Dr. Hugh Spurgin, President of the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS), on May 26, 2016.
Let me assure you that, contrary to a rumor being circulated, Barrytown has not been sold. However, it is clear that the current status of Barrytown is not sustainable. The future of the campus has been under study for 15 years in an effort to explore options for long-term sustainability.
It costs a huge amount of money to maintain Barrytown’s buildings and grounds, more than $600,000 per year. Additional funds have also been needed for capital improvements required by New York State. These costs fall fully on the shoulders of the larger movement. Income from conferences and rents covers only a small portion of the expenses to maintain the facility.
We have kept in mind that the heart of our Founders is to serve the broader society. In fact, True Father stated, “Barrytown is for the benefit of all … Eventually, I would like to open all our major facilities like Belvedere and Barrytown to the public and let the public be proud of our establishments as their own.” (“Living Sacrifice,” May 5, 1977 and “Our Pride,” June 5, 1977)
For more than a decade, the leaders of UTS have been in discussion with various groups about how to ensure that the property is protected and sustained for generations to come. Ten years ago, True Father himself approved one proposal. However, because the interested party would not agree to our terms, the UTS Board declined the offer.
We have not been idle. We have been actively searching for partners who are interested in utilizing or developing the property. Ideally, that will be a person or organization with a vision that resonates with that of our Founders. Some investors have shown interest in the property and have presented their ideas. However, at present, there is nothing on the horizon that fulfills our desire that the property will continue to serve the founding vision.
For UTS, 4 West 43rd Street in NYC is the center of education, providing all of the Masters level programs. No students reside or study at Barrytown. The Doctor of Ministry intensives are held at Barrytown for a total of four weeks per year. The UTS locations in Manhattan and Maryland together with online learning suffice for our current accredited programs.
The 40th Commencement Ceremony will be held at Barrytown in the recently renovated chapel at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 28. Everyone is invited to attend.
The Generation Peace Academy will have its graduation ceremony at Barrytown on June 18. Blessed Culture and Sports Festival will take place from August 10 through 14. Hopefully, other events will also be held this year, like the workshop for the FFWPU New York District that took place last weekend.
This is a serious matter which needs to be dealt with prayerfully and in a timely manner. We welcome thoughtful feedback that is not anonymous.
I will continue to report developments affecting UTS, as they occur.
Sincerely,
Hugh Spurgin Ph.D.
President, Unification Theological Seminary
hdspurgin@uts.edu
Allan Hokanson
| #
Thank you Dr. Spurgin,
If Barrytown can be returned to an educational institution as others have said, I believe there are two important issues that should be considered. One is in helping the next generation connect their chosen field with the ideals of heaven. The other is in the area of “climate change” which is actually global degradation as a result of Human ignorance. A lot of research has been done in recent years on “Regenerative” agriculture. The heart of this is rebuilding the environment based on the principles of the creation and has proven to be effective.
Barrytown has enough land to create an educational and experimental farm based on the principles of Creation. The students would run the farm and in the process, learn to connect their work with Heaven. The farm is a tool. The principles learned there would apply at any field. In addition, the high quality produce would feed the students and probably be enough to sell in the surrounding community. This would help offset some of the expenses.
Success in building a model farm would also be a positive influence on restoring the planet and very likely attract the interest of students around the world.
Thank you
Allan Hokanson
Reply
Jim Boothby
| #
Why not consider shifting the focus to “Culture Impact ” , “Saving America” and Civic Activism to win the “War of ideas” in America?
Create a HEADWING UNIVERSITY -culture, governance and policy training College.
Depending how you define the group, there are 20-50 million “Abel-Camp” Type people in America who share our love of God, Respect for marriage and the family, understand American Exceptionalism and embrace basic “Washington Times -type ” values with a fresh overlay of racial inclusion, interfaith emphasis and “Service to Others ” thrown in on the side to make it represent Father’s attitudes and properly headwing . :-)
Across the country, major christian, conservative, national defense and family values groups are struggling to figure out how to ‘take back the culture ‘ from a currently ascendant hyper left wing, neo-Marxist, militantly PC oriented humanism that is inimical to our values and aiding in gutting America’s core Judeo-Christian base.
They and we need a home. An intellectual and training base.
The Washington Times here in the DC area is regularly in touch with a 30 year foundation of major groups, players and influencers desperate to change the direction America is going – long term. People in that realm – their money, human captital and commitment to the country ….mated to True Father’s general vision and heart and general teaching – could form a potent core cooperative for a training institute – a “College for Civic Activism”
Social engagement by Believers” -and service to culture and country – centered on God and a newly defined Headwing View.
A Coalition-effort with like minded allies .
Our newly dusted off and developing American Leadership Conference source and teaching material along, with a newly energized UPF 501 c-3 and hopefully some form of newly emerging “New AFC” 501 c-4 could form part of the foundational base for said institute.
Donate the property to a newly formed “Save America” coalition entity of some sort – one step removed from UC theology and internal religious matters – that we can still largely control along with our new partners.
Lot of potential.
Jim Boothby Maryland jimboothby50@gmail.com
Reply
David Konn
| #
Very well thought out initial suggestion. I hope we can get a response soon.
Reply
Thomas Corley
| #
Why not develop it as an additional campus of Bridgeport University or Sun Myung Moon University at least for the near future.
Tom Corley
Reply
valerie bradshaw tembo
| #
Dear Dr Spurgin;
Greetings and thank you for all your hard work. Look for investors who can help y0u to develop a business. Ask google to invest maybe put in a data or server farm. In Hudson County if they are public events for tourist or visitors can part of Barrytown be used as a bed and breakfast for visitors to the events.
Reply