October 15, 2001
TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
Dear Colleagues:
Recently, I have received many letters and other input from our dedicated colleagues expressing concern about the impact of increasing parking fees and the burden it places on our staff, faculty, and students. I am writing to thank everyone who has taken the time to write or talk to me on this issue.
In order to maintain UCSB's standard of excellence, we need to work together to find solutions, not only for our need for new academic and student support facilities, but also for our need for housing, improved roads, bike paths, and parking facilities. At the same time we need to be cognizant of, and sensitive to, the financial situation of our staff, faculty, and students.
To address the concerns raised by some members of the campus community, as well as the broader challenges facing campus parking, I am forming a special advisory committee. This committee will consult broadly with the campus and will review the entire way we address and resolve parking issues. All the options will be considered as part of this comprehensive review process that will include input from Academic Senate, staff, and students. I encourage you to be part of that process by making your views known to the committee after it is formed. You are also welcome to communicate with me in the future. I am pleased to announce that Professor Gene Lucas has graciously agreed to chair this committee.
The building for the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) is extremely important to our campus, and we must not jeopardize the ability of this project to move forward. Because the parking structure on Lot 10 is an integral part of the CNSI project, it needs to go before the Regents for approval in November. At that time the Regents will be approving the financing plan for Lot 10. Currently, the finance plan includes an increase to parking rates of up to $15/month. However, the actual parking rate increase that will accompany construction of the Lot 10 parking structure may be less than that; the final rate will depend on features of the design of the parking structure that have not yet been decided (i.e., its size, whether part of it will be below ground, etc.) and on other parking policies the campus may adopt. Finding ways of reducing the rate increase will be the first task of the new advisory committee.
Following discussion and final decision of the rate increase that will be needed to support the Lot 10 parking structure, I assure you that no further rate increases will be considered until we have had time for a full campus-wide review and development of long-term parking policies.
The welfare of our campus community is our top priority and I thank you for your participation in this process.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor