The Board of Regents voted 9-2 to lease Eastcliff Mansion to the University of Minnesota Foundation for $2.2 million on Oct. 9, the Minnesota Daily reported.

Former and current regents are now lamenting about a deal that could segregate the University and its financial supporters from the public, promoting an already prevalent theme of secrecy within higher administration.

The University will remain financially responsible for maintenance and operational expenses via funds from the sale price, but UMF will lease the mansion back to the University for regular use. 

Regents’ concerns revolve around the fact that the historic mansion, a public asset, is now managed by a single entity — the UMF.

The 10,000 square foot mansion has historically housed University presidents, except for Rebecca Cunningham.

After Former President Joan Gabel’s resignation, the mansion was empty until the University could find someone to fill in. 

Gov. Tim Walz and his family moved into Eastcliff July 10, 2023, after the governor’s mansion on St. Paul’s Summit Avenue started renovations the previous month. The Board of Regents approved a lease for the first family to temporarily reside through September 2024, during Jeff Ettinger’s interim presidency, according to the Minnesota Daily. 

The deal was brought up in the last 20 minutes of the regents’ meeting. All four new regents opted to vote yes. During roll call, Robyn Gulley and James Farnsworth were the only dissenting voices.

Farnsworth interjected toward the end of the finance meeting, explaining his vote. He said he felt the Board was grossly underprepared to make this decision, seeing as he and the remaining regents were given only 10 days’ notice.

“This moved pretty quickly to come in front of us to review in action,” Farnsworth said. “I think that that leaves pretty limited time for public input and engagement as a board member voting on this, quite frankly.”

At the Oct. 10 board meeting, Regent Ruth Johnson immediately disputed Farnsworth and Gulley’s votes. As a UMF trustee, she said she fully supports relinquishing full ownership to UMF.

“You’ve seen our budget,” Johnson said. “We don’t want to have to raise tuition or do anything else to raise more money as the Board of Regents in order to do maintenance on Eastcliff.”

Former Regent Michael Hsu said this forecast was inaccurate. UMF is perfectly capable of spending on construction — the foundation has already garnered $464 million in gifts in the 2025 fiscal year as of June 30.

“Lots of donors would love to have their name on the upkeep of the president’s house,” Hsu said.”

Farnsworth said he wanted to reassure the public that Eastcliff renovation expenses would not be pulled from student dollars.

“For anybody that’s concerned and asks, ‘Why are you spending X millions of dollars on the president’s residence?’” Farnsworth said. “Our answer is we are expending this money, and none of it is tuition or public dollars.”