UC Berkeley and local group Save Berkeley’s Neighborhood (SBN) have continued to fight a legal battle regarding the local housing crisis. Over the years, SBN has filed multiple lawsuits against UCB, concerned that the University’s housing plans violate the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under CEQA, developers must consider the environmental implications of new infrastructure before gaining approval. Housing plans do not only threaten the environment but also the housing crisis. SBN’s litigations were closely analyzed when the California Supreme Court upheld the lower court decision, ruling that UC Berkeley had to limit their enrollment to the 2020-21 enrollment size.
Many high school seniors would have reaped the consequences of the court’s verdict. In effect, this court decision would force UCB to reduce the number of admitted students by 5,100. On March 14, 2022, however, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that halted the court ruling, ensuring that the University’s intended 2022 enrollment could ensue.
In regard to the development of new housing, the environment is an example of a trade-off and negative externality. Construction would emit more greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere, thereby affecting everyone. In terms of trade-offs, the fight for more housing forces one to consider a clean environment versus housing security--goals fighting against one another. Similarly, this relates to a trade-off between housing for students vs. housing for residents. Like a production possibilities curve, there is a finite amount of land and housing. Therefore, the more space there is for new student housing developments, the less space there is for residents.
Personally, I think that Berkeley shouldn’t have disregarded SBN’s concerns for so long. Clearly, their recent lawsuit was provoked by previous efforts to help the local housing crisis and environment. At the same time, however, I support Newsom’s new legislation. The court decision would have affected so many anxious students. For the class of 2022, the college admissions have already held so much uncertainty, with Covid-19 moving classrooms online or test centers being canceled, that a drastic reduction in admissions seems unfair. Moving forward, I think that UC Berkeley could gradually adapt its student body to meet its housing availability. This way, there would be fewer abrupt reductions which could hurt many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, the demand for off-campus housing could reduce, giving residents more housing options or security. After all, retaining housing for residents is just as important.
Questions:
What are your thoughts on Newsom’s decision?
How should universities ensure that there is sufficient housing, while also maintaining environmental policy?
How will these concerns affect admissions in the future?
3 comments:
I definitely do support Gov Newsom’s decision to halt the court’s ruling. As Lauren mentioned, this season college admissions have been extremely competitive with COVID, causing students to apply to many more schools than ever before. If Berkeley had admitted 5,100 less students, it would not only affect UCB, but would also affect all of the other UCs and their admissions and waitlists. I do understand the SBN’s concerns, but I don't think that changes should be made so abruptly. I would support a decision stating that over 5 years Berkeley needs to gradually reduce its incoming class, but I think that immediately cutting its class by 5,000 in one year is ridiculous. Housing is an issue that we see at many college campuses all over the country. I have heard some discussion of UCSB building a “mega dorm” where 4,500 students would be packed into one building without windows, and although I don’t know if this project is officially happening, it shows how desperate colleges are to find some kind of housing for their students. Overall, I think the best thing Berkeley can do is slowly decrease its incoming class.
As students, all of us probably have a biased perspective towards UC Berkeley accepting more students. While I feel for the concerns of the residents, the futures of so many students hangs in the balance. I think Newsom made the right decision, as such a drastic reduction in those admitted would have a negative impact on the students. Moving forward, I think changes that meet the concerns of both students and the residents should be gradual. In addition, hopefully there will be more environmentally conscious housing options (even if the construction itself has a negative effect).
Well I didnt get into Berkley so Clearly Newsom didn't go far enough. I think he should of increased the amount of applicant. As for the housing, I've been to Berkley and there are already a lot of homeless, a few more wouldn't hurt. Maybe a solution would be to let the students sleep on the campus grounds so when they're sleeping on the streets its at least the university's streets. as for the future, I dont really care since am not planing to submit admissions in the future so thats some other junior's problem when they're a senior next year.
Post a Comment