Fast Facts |
Fast Facts
Fundamentally, Student Housing West is in conflict with our campus's values.
First, let us consider the nature of this project. Student Housing West is being built as a Private Public Partnership. We understand that due to the state's lack of investment in higher education, this is one of the few options available. However, we have serious concerns about the way in which this project is being developed:
Furthermore, this project does not meet the needs of our campus:
First, let us consider the nature of this project. Student Housing West is being built as a Private Public Partnership. We understand that due to the state's lack of investment in higher education, this is one of the few options available. However, we have serious concerns about the way in which this project is being developed:
- Katerra, which benefits from Saudi Investors and has been described as the Foxconn of housing.
- Sundt Construction, which has been instrumental in developing a hundred miles of border fencing. They have described the situation on our southern border as "one of our country’s hottest topics". Sundt was also involved in the construction of Japanse Internment Camps.
- Furthermore, many of the contractors on this project are only a few years old, with a lack of proven records.
- The public private partnership benefits the construction company as they are able to both design and build it (and how can we trust them to design it in the way we want which may not be the most cost effective way).
- Every other housing facility on campus was built in the "Design, Bid, Build" process. Most designed by famous architects. People come from around the world to study the architecture on our campus, we will not settle for cookie cutter architecture.
- Most every other housing project has had direct student input.
- The campus's Long Range Development Planning Committee has ben forbidden from discussing this housing project (which will obviously be a significant part of the campus's future).
- The project undermines the UCSC college system meant to foster intergenerational and small learning communities.
- The University claims that it has solicited student input through the Student Housing West Student Advisory Committee - the sole student voice on the project - yet at their meetings, held bi-weekly in the Alumni Room at college 9/10 at 4pm, decide arbitrary things like the size of the bathrooms. The committee is merely a formality so that the University can say they solicited students.
- The contract with Capstone Developers (the developer selected) is unavailable for public viewing.
- Part of the project includes building on the Historically Protected East Meadow.
- The buildings are not being built in any eco-friendly manner. In fact, they are scheduled for a lifespan of 35 years.
- As seen in the timeline on other pages of this website, the University made a calculated effort to keep key constituencies in the dark
Furthermore, this project does not meet the needs of our campus:
- 23.7% of the beds that will be built as part of this development will be singles. This is different from the majority doubles or triples that most students occupy. Admin have claimed that this design preference reflects the desires of students who want to live in more upscale accommodations. In consideration of how many of our peers are houseless, we do not accept this explanation.
- Only 3% of the proposed undergraduate beds will have a rent of less than $1,200. Housing insecurity is usually considered to be that rent is greater than 30% of your income. For a person to afford this rent and being housing secure, they would need to make over 43k a year.
- A petition in opposition to this project has gathered over 80k signatures, including from a former campus architect and former UC Regents.
Maybe Student Housing West Is Necessary, but lets do it above the table and with student input |