Plans to rebuild University House have been canceled because campus administrators have failed to raise enough money to fund the $7.2 million project, despite a six-month effort.
The project was commissioned by the University of California Office of the President and proposed to demolish the existing University House, which serves as the home of the UCSD chancellor, in order to build a new residence on the La Jolla Farms property.
UCOP Communications Director Paul Schwartz stated in an e-mail that UCSD administrators were unable to meet the project fund-raising goal because of other competing funding priorities.
“In general, some donor gifts are designated for specific purposes, while others aren’t and are given in general support of the university’s needs, which can include building projects,” Schwartz stated.
Because of the cancellation, Vice Chancellor of External Relations James M. Langley has dissolved the fund-raising task force set up to seek out donors, according to the project’s building advisory committee member and anthropology professor Donald Tuzin.
However, Tuzin said, members of the building advisory committee that oversee the construction will reconvene to explore other housing options before making another proposal to UCOP.
“There are a lot of options we can look into,” Tuzin said. “We could try to repair the current house or subdivide the site. Another option is to sell the property and build the house elsewhere.”
Although Schwartz would not reveal how close UCSD administrators came to reaching the fund-raising goal, he did state that no actual money was given to the project.
“For these types of projects, oftentimes the UC will first obtain verbal commitments from donors, and then only collect actual funds once we know we have the needed amount,” he stated. “In this case, since the total amount needed for the project wasn’t secured, no funds were actually received.”
Chancellor Marye Anne Fox’s contract with the university requires administrators to provide her with a residence in close proximity to campus. UCOP previously committed to donating money — approximately $1 million — to the University House project, and it is expected to provide a portion of the funding needed for any upcoming proposals, according to Schwartz.
“UCOP expects to make a contribution from non-state resources, but a final number has not yet been settled on,” Schwartz stated.
A report commissioned by UC President Robert C. Dynes last summer deemed the house uninhabitable. In addition, the report revealed that the University House property, valued at $12 million, holds ancient archaeological remains.
“Any upcoming project will have to involve a survey on the archeological character of the property, but that obligation will be on the new owner [if the property is sold],” Tuzin said.
Fox will continue to live in a $6,500-per-month rented residence in downtown La Jolla, funded by UCOP, until permanent housing becomes available.
Langley, who spearheaded the local fund-raising drive, was out of the office and unavailable for comment.
