Congratulations to last week's winners: Tim Goncharoff, Laura McShane, Edna Sandberg, Sharon Van Kirk, and Noelle Watkins. Please note: Even if you've won a mug, we welcome your votes and comments.

Responses to last week's question: Currents readers were evenly divided on the issue of whether housing for K-12 teachers and public safety workers should be included in university housing projects built in partnership with the city. The tally was 7 yes, 7 no, and 3 unsure. A sampling of readers' views follows.

On the yes side:

"Generally a good idea, but don't forget the UCSC staff who struggle to find housing too. "

"I support housing help for K-12 teachers because of the poor salaries and the importance of having good teachers, but public safety workers? I'm not sure what their pay scale is, but it can't be any less than UCSC staff. How about housing help for staff, i.e., low interest loans or partnership down payments to help staff get into home ownership."

On the no side:

"Let's take care of the students first! As long as the students have to live in cars, we can't offer housing to others."

"It seems that we already have a shortage of housing on campus. Shouldn't we be offering what we do have to UCSC students and faculty first?"

Unsure:

"I think it's a good idea in theory. With housing prices as they are, people can no longer afford to be teachers in the area, and it would be nice to be able to offer them housing. However, the university first needs to make sure that it has housing available for its own faculty, staff and students, since that overflow affects local housing as well."

Tell us what you think: Each week, we post a question about a topic that's been in the news, is of general interest, or has been suggested by our readers. You have a chance to "weigh in" with a simple "yes," "no," or "unsure," or you may elaborate if you like. Responses are due by Friday at 8 a.m.

Win a nifty Currents Online coffee mug: Each week, the names of five respondents are drawn at random to win a mug. Participants must be UCSC staff, faculty, or students. Please submit your name and campus e-mail address on the response form. One mug per person.

This week's question: In a recent campuswide "town hall" discussion, there was a great deal of interest expressed in developing a campus "downtown"--or rather, a campus center for student life in the Bay Tree Bookstore/Graduate Commons area. Does this sound like a good idea to you?

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