The Valparaiso City Council unanimously approved a $117 million bond request to assist Valparaiso University in addressing financial challenges. Ordinance No. 9 2025 passed with a second reading during a special council meeting on Friday, May 12, 2025. The council’s decision provides the university with access to general obligation bonds, intended to refinance existing debt and finance crucial projects, including building renovations. Council members Diana Reed (1st District), Robert Cotton (2nd District), Barbara Domer (3rd District), Jack Pupillo (4th District), and Council President Ellen Kapitan (At-large) were present, alongside Peter Anderson (5th District) who joined remotely. Council member Emilie Hunt (At-large) and Mayor Jon Costas, along with Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor, were absent. City Attorney Patrick Lyp initiated the meeting by referencing the Economic Development Commission’s recommendation to support the ordinance, emphasizing its benefit to the community.

Lyp clarified that the City Council’s role is solely as a conduit, ensuring the university’s timely access to the bonds, without any direct financial obligation or impact on taxpayers. Current calculations suggest the university is likely to utilize approximately $55 million of the potential $117 million for its financial needs. This decision represents a significant step in the university's efforts to secure its future while navigating complex financial and artistic considerations. The council’s support is crucial for Valparaiso University to continue its operations and fulfill its academic mission.

Valparaiso University’s senior vice president for finance and chief financial officer, Mark Volpatti, represented the university at the meeting, fielding limited follow-up questions. Previously, Volpatti announced the university’s sale of three paintings – Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Rust Red Hills,” Childe Hassam’s “The Silver Veil and the Golden Gate,” and Frederic E. Church’s “Mountain Landscape” – a decision that sparked public debate and criticism. Senior research professor John Ruff, a long-time advocate for the Brauer Museum of Art, presented the council with a letter signed by over 50 individuals opposing the artwork sales.

Volpatti addressed Ruff’s concerns, acknowledging the passion and dedication of Richard Brauer and John Ruff, and framing the decision as a philosophical choice regarding the use of funds – whether for new acquisitions or to address broader university needs. The controversy surrounding the secret nature of the artwork sale, initially reported by the media in mid-May, further fueled the discussion. Volpatti’s statement, "My thoughts do turn to Richard Brauer and John Ruff and I can’t imagine the emotions they’ve had the past two years," underscored the emotional weight of the situation. This decision represents a significant step in the university's efforts to secure its future while navigating complex financial and artistic considerations. The council’s support is crucial for Valparaiso University to continue its operations and fulfill its academic mission.