On Thursday, June 4th, the ASUCD Senate passed a resolution in support of the Davis Innovation and Sustainability Campus (DISC), citing the limited amount of housing and jobs for undergraduates in Davis. ASUCD President Kyle Kruger stated, “I can not know the needs of every UC Davis undergraduate, but something everyone has told me is how hard it is to find housing in Davis.”
DISC proposes to build 850 units of workforce housing with the addition of 153 units of Affordable housing units. Davis continues to have one of the tightest housing markets in the region, with a vacancy rate between 0% and 1% for half a decade. “Additional housing relieves pressure on the housing market in Davis” added Kruger. “We recognize that housing at DISC is not designed for students, but student leaders know that all people in Davis face a housing shortage.”
Despite UC Davis being an elite university, only 42% of UC Davis undergraduate receive secure full-time jobs one year after graduation. Startups created in Davis often must leave since there are few locations for them to grow. Developing a technology hub in Davis, would allow far more UC Davis student access to internships and entry-level jobs in the community. Currently, only 23% of UC Davis 
students stay in the greater Sacramento region after graduating, harming economic development throughout the area.
“Internships and summer jobs are an important part of undergraduate education to prepare ourselves for careers after graduation,” noted ASUCD External Vice President Maria Martinez. “However, Davis has very few opportunities outside of the campus, meaning most of us need to commute to other cities and leave Davis during the summer, even though we still have to pay rent during summer.”
An estimated 69.1% of Davis residents commute outside of Davis, and providing additional jobs in Davis would reduce travel times for residents.
The resolution specifically noted the environmental benefits of the proposed projects. The project would achieve LEED Gold equivalency and use energy-efficiency standards from the City of Davis. DISC proposes to purchase 100% clean energy power from local and renewable sources such as the Valley Clean Energy.
“The ASUCD Environmental Policy and Planning Commission, which I was the immediate past chair of, reviewed the SEIR two weeks ago. We found that the environmental impacts were minimal in comparison to the benefits such as mixed-used development, providing high tech jobs in Davis, and adding Affordable housing,” said Kruger.
“We look forward to ensuring the students of the Davis community voice is heard on this project through November and continue to be on other projects as fellow members of the Davis community.”
Both of the UC Davis student governments have endorsed DISC with the UC Davis Graduate Student Association (GSA) endorsing DISC in late May.
Full resolution: ASUCD Resolution DISC
While I appreciate the ASUCD taking an active interest in City policy, it should not be simply rubberstamping what the developer has proposed. The City’s Natural Resources Commission has proposed further baseline feature requirements that improve the environmental aspects of the project. I submitted comments to the Planning Commission that highlight the most important features to include. https://davisvanguard.org/2020/06/guest-commentary-response-to-city-of-davis-staff-report-on-the-davis-innovation-and-sustainability-campus-baseline-features/
I don’t think you labled what ASUCD is…but I’m assuming it’s some sort of student government organization….maybe for undergrads?
More jobs in Davis is a good thing for everyone incluing the students.
Forced inclusionary affordable housing just increases the cost of housing for everyone else. It should be used only as a temporary or very specific bandaid to address very specific affordable housing needs (like for teachers, figher fighters..the elderly or disabled..etc…). What does a developer do when forced to include affordable housing in their project?….raise the prices of all the other market rate homes. That in turn effects the prices of all the other homes on the market.
May I just say, AMEN. And that you’ll never have a chance at running for City Council. You have to pretend that affordable housing a good thing in order to run for City Council, even if you are a conservative.
I believe in affordable housing (I was on the SF Habitat for Humanity site selection/land acquisition volunteer group for a couple years a decade and half ago)……just not forced inclusionary affordable housing as a long term solution.
meaning?