April 9, 2001
Matching funds offered to UC campuses for new child care services
Office of the President
A new child care facilities initiative, launched by University of
California President Richard C. Atkinson, will expand the services
available to students, faculty, and staff on UC campuses.
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| A recent UC report estimates that demand for child care far outstrips supply. Illustration: Martha McNulty |
"High-quality, accessible, and affordable child care is a critical priority that addresses the work and life needs of all members of the university community," Atkinson said.
"With the university facing dramatic growth of students in the next 10
years, this new proposal will support our efforts to recruit and retain a
high-quality and diverse faculty and staff workforce," said Lubbe Levin,
assistant vice president of policy, planning, and research at the UC Office of the President.
"The program will provide better access to child care services for faculty,
staff, and students and will be especially beneficial for women, who
traditionally bear the most responsibility for children," Levin said.
Each campus is invited to choose one of three suggested options that best
suits its needs. Campus funds of $1 million, $1.5 million, and $2 million
will be matched, respectively, by UCOP matching funds of $750,000, $1 million, and $1.25 million.
Improvements in campus child care services and facilities have wide systemwide support. In July 1999, the university's Academic Council recommended that UC adopt a policy on child care following the development of a proposal from the University Committee on Faculty Welfare.
In response to the Academic Council's request, a Child Care Policy and Programs Task Force was created with representation from students, staff, and faculty across the system. The task force's recommendation that child care be viewed as a strategic priority was adopted last year by Atkinson and the chancellors of the 10-campus UC system.
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