One of the biggest challenges confronting Berkeley’s students is the scarcity of student housing in the East Bay, and its cost. Last summer, I joined other university leaders in serving on a Task Force to develop a Master Housing Plan to address the housing needs of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. A few weeks ago, our findings and recommendations were shared for discussion and input; you can find a link to the full Draft Report in this Berkeley News article. A recent Daily Cal article also discusses highlights of the draft Master Plan. As Dean of the Graduate Division, I am particularly concerned that only nine percent of current graduate students are served by campus housing. Our new goal of providing housing to 25% of our future graduate students will significantly alleviate some of today’s challenges. The Task Force identified nine local sites for possible future development, using a public-private-partnership model to strengthen collaboration with community stakeholders and civic leaders while easing financial costs to the campus. Feedback on the Draft Report will be invited from the Graduate Assembly and ASUC, among others, over the coming months. Students will also be individually surveyed to learn more about their preferences for housing options. Please be sure to make your voice heard on this matter, which is so vital to the welfare of the Berkeley community. Fiona M. Doyle Dean of the Graduate Division Donald H. McLaughlin Professor of Mineral Engineering
One of the biggest challenges confronting Berkeley’s students is the scarcity of student housing in the East Bay, and its cost. Last summer, I joined other university leaders in serving on a Task Force to develop a Master Housing Plan to address the housing needs of undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. A few weeks ago, our findings and recommendations were shared for discussion and input; you can find a link to the full Draft Report in this Berkeley News article. A recent Daily Cal article also discusses highlights of the draft Master Plan. As Dean of the Graduate Division, I am particularly concerned that only nine percent of current graduate students are served by campus housing. Our new goal of providing housing to 25% of our future graduate students will significantly alleviate some of today’s challenges. The Task Force identified nine local sites for possible future development, using a public-private-partnership model to strengthen collaboration with community stakeholders and civic leaders while easing financial costs to the campus. Feedback on the Draft Report will be invited from the Graduate Assembly and ASUC, among others, over the coming months. Students will also be individually surveyed to learn more about their preferences for housing options. Please be sure to make your voice heard on this matter, which is so vital to the welfare of the Berkeley community. Fiona M. Doyle Dean of the Graduate Division Donald H. McLaughlin Professor of Mineral Engineering