SUBJECT:

Update on University House Project

In June 2004, we informed you that University House, the official residence of UCSD chancellors since 1967, had been closed. This decision was based on the findings of an investigative study conducted by Island Architects, which found serious code compliance issues and deficiencies in major system components of the 54-year-old structure. We also advised at that time that UC Senior Vice President Joseph Mullinix had charged a workgroup, chaired by Senior Vice President Emeritus Wayne Kennedy and comprised of representatives from UCSD faculty, staff, and students, as well as the external community and the UC Office of the President (UCOP), to consider options for possible renovation, restoration, or replacement of University House.

This past summer, the Workgroup met to determine the best options for making University House a safe living environment and entertainment venue once again. The options considered were to renovate the house, rebuild a new house on the current site, or possibly sell the current property and build a new house on other university property. The workgroup delivered its report to Senior Vice President Mullinix in August 2004. The recommendation was to build a new house on the current site, provided that sufficient private gifts could be raised to fund the project. Preliminary costs for a new facility are projected to be $7.2 million.

UCOP decided that retaining the La Jolla Farms property as a campus asset is a desirable goal and agreed that given the financial constraints facing the University, funding for this project must come from private funds. UCOP has asked that Vice Chancellor Jim Langley immediately undertake an assessment to determine if sufficient private funds will be available to support this project. This process is underway and a determination will be completed by February 2005.

Additionally, UCOP has asked that the campus move forward to select a design professional to prepare an architectural program for this project. To that end, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design professionals will be issued shortly. The RFQ will be clear that this is a two-part contract. Part One will request services to complete the Detailed Project Program (DPP). Part Two of the RFQ will request services to complete the formal architectural design for the project. The RFQ will be clear that the decision to proceed to Part Two is dependent on raising sufficient funds to complete the project and on satisfactory completion of the DPP work.

Traditionally, the campus has used Building Advisory Committees (BACs) to assist with the oversight of planning, designing, and constructing new facilities; the University House project is no exception. Senior Vice President Mullinix has charged a University House BAC, which has representation from UCSD faculty, staff, and students, as well as from UCOP and the external community.

We understand the campus' interest in this project and we will continue keep everyone informed of the status of the project as it progresses.

Jim Langley Vice Chancellor External Relations John Woods Vice Chancellor Resource Management & Planning