Although the Commonwealth Times reported VCU has been interested in buying the Baptist Student Union House for about 10 years, Paul Jez, VCU’s assistant vice president for business services and treasurer, said the last time the university talked to the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the association members were not ready to sell the house.
“Last time the university talked to them was two to three years (ago), but they weren’t in a position to sell it,” Jez said. “The university would be interested in purchasing the property.”
The association governs nine Baptist Student Unions in the state. In mid-November, the group approved the possible sale of the BSU houses on the VCU and University of Virginia campuses because both buildings need repairs.
Frank Brown, a member of VCU’s BSU, said he understands that Richmond’s First Baptist Church might offer the money to repair the building. If that happens, the group still would need to talk to the association about the state of any potential sale of the BSU House.
Alan Jones, the full-time campus minister for VCU’s BSU House, said the ministry will continue with or without the building.
“The building is not a viable ministry tool,” Jones said. “It is a luxury.”
Jenny Smith contributed to this article