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May 27, 2002
Forum participants push for additional employee housing
By Louise Donahue
A May 20 forum on university housing for employees drew a range of comments, but
everyone seemed to agree on one thing--the need to increase the number of units available.
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| UCSC is seeking to expand its housing stock by purchasing the 64-unit Laureate
Court Apartments, adjacent to the main entrance. Photo:
Louise Donahue |
"Until there is more housing stock, there's not going to be a solution,"
said William Friedland, emeritus professor of community studies and sociology. Friedland
was one of about 60 people at the forum in Media Theater Room M110.
Audience comments at the forum, sponsored by the Campus Welfare Committee, followed
a short overview
of the current employee housing situation. The committee is soliciting public comments
before putting together a recommendation on housing policy, as directed
by John Simpson, campus provost and executive vice chancellor. A draft policy is
expected in June. The Campus Welfare Committee is made up of administrators, Academic
Senate members, Staff Advisory Board members, and graduate and undergraduate student
representatives.
UCSC now has 130 units of rental and for-sale housing. That number is projected
to reach 389 units with the planned acquisition of the 64-unit Laureate Court Apartments
at Bay and High Streets and 95 new units to be built in Inclusion Area D. Additionally,
current North Campus planning efforts include 100 units. This number may be adjusted
following the work of the Growth and Stewardship Committee.
"We are pursuing all opportunities within and beyond the campus boundary,"
said Jean Marie Scott, associate vice chancellor for the colleges, housing, dining
and child care services. "The biggest challenge for the campus is developing
and delivering housing stock." Scott noted that UCSC has authorized an independent
analysis of student and employee housing demands to help its planning. The analysis
will be done during the upcoming weeks by the Sedway group.
The forum was open-ended, with members of the audience offering suggestions and
criticism. Among the issues raised were:
- Housing for all employees. While called "faculty-staff housing,"
staff members' low priority on the waiting list means they have almost never had
access to the housing in recent years. Ladder-rank faculty are given priority on
both the rental and for-sale waiting lists. Audience suggestions included giving
staff members equal priority, offering housing according to financial need, and giving
priority to families, so that a single person did not have a three-bedroom house
while a family of four had a small apartment. It was also suggested that housing
no longer be called "faculty-staff housing" if staff members don't have
access.
- Off-campus vs. on-campus housing. Several speakers suggested that UCSC
concentrate its efforts on building on-campus housing rather than buy properties
off-campus, because increasing the overall supply helps dampen area home prices.
- Renting vs. buying. Some suggested that more emphasis be placed on renting
than buying, and that a program of rental assistance be established. Emergency housing
assistance was also proposed.
The Campus Welfare Committee has received considerable e-mail feedback from the
UCSC community through its web site
and is continuing to seek input. Comments are printed out and distributed to committee
members.
Following feedback offered at the forum, the Campus Welfare Committee decided to
hold a second housing forum once its preliminary draft is completed. The date, which
may be in the fall, has not been set.
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