Student-run Online Auction to Help with Rotunda Repairs

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Updated: 6:55 PM Feb 3, 2012 Student-run Online Auction to Help with Rotunda Repairs It's a 19th-century building that needs 21st-century repairs, and that's why some University of Virginia students are coming together to save the famous Rotunda by launching a new online auction website. Posted: 6:10 PM Feb 3, 2012 Reporter: Chris Stover Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com

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February 3, 2012

It's a 19th-century building that needs 21st-century repairs, and that's why some University of Virginia students are coming together to save the famous Rotunda.

"The rotunda is the centerpiece of this university," said Whit Hunter, the vice president of UVa.'s Student Council. "It's literally the centerpiece, it's symbolically the centerpiece."

The aging Rotunda is desperately in need of repairs. Now, anyone can help out by placing a bid on a new website, RestoreUVA.

"We found an alumnus of the university who had a huge collection of university antiques," Hunter said.

That alumnus gave more than 6,000 items to the students to be listed on the auction website. It features many items, from an 1850s diploma made of sheepskin to historic coins and documents.

The most expensive item on the auction block is a lithograph depicting UVa. grounds.

The donor found it several years ago, had it restored, and it's really quite impressive," said Wayne Cozart, vice president of development for the university's alumni association.

The price tag for the lithograph is $82,000.

The historic landmark has been deteriorating lately, a victim of lacking funds. It has a leaky roof, crumbling Corinthian columns and a broken elevator.

"We're just trying to help. We recognize the restoration project is huge," Hunter said. "It's $50 million or so. I think we have the potential to raise a lot of money."

"To restore it and bring it back to its original concept as Jefferson saw it is highly important," Cozart said.

Thanks to an anonymous donor and some dedicated students, there's renewed hope that they can reach their goal.

"I've grown up around this place," Hunter said. "Charlottesville's home to me. It's a way we can give back."

Those behind the online auction say they'll continue to add items to the online auction each week. There are more than 600 items posted now, representing just one-tenth of the total supply.

Altogether, the collection of memorabilia adds up to more than $2 million.

Latest Comments

Posted by: long-time resident on Feb 5, 2012 at 01:15 AM

At many schools across the country, alumni donate money to specific projects, which by law in some cases, restricts the money's use to just the designated projects. So, money donated to the construction of a particular new building at UVA likely cannot be used on other projects. But, there are some folks with deep pockets who could, and might, donate for this project. The question I have is this: Since the Rotunda is not likely ever to be knocked down and fully replaced as many other buildings are, wouldn't there already be a maintenance budget that would have been set aside through the years for such large-scale repairs, so that repairs do not depend on money that might or might not be donated at the last-minute?

Posted by: Really? on Feb 4, 2012 at 12:37 PM

REALLY?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ? With ALL of the building of NEW buildings @ UVA they can NOT find the money to fix the ROTUNDA. I mean come on. In this economy everyone else has slowed down on the building and such, BUT NOT UVA. AND NOW they need help??

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