3. CAPITAL PROJECTS & DEBT
Increases in medium- and high-level administrators seems to be part of a shift in the growth model for our campus. This model has prioritized a strategy based on investments in capital projects.
Increases in medium- and high-level administrators seems to be part of a shift in the growth model for our campus. This model has prioritized a strategy based on investments in capital projects.
Some of these capital projects have added academic facilities and much-needed housing for students. This is consistent with the Chancellor's vision to transform UCSD into the “largest residential campus in the US”.
Some of these capital projects have added academic facilities and much-needed housing for students. This is consistent with the Chancellor's vision to transform UCSD into the “largest residential campus in the US”.
These capital projects are meant to be self-sustaining through a combination of auxiliary revenues, bookstore, extension, Indirect Cost Recovery of Research (IDC), Masters programs, and other fees.
These capital projects are meant to be self-sustaining through a combination of auxiliary revenues, bookstore, extension, Indirect Cost Recovery of Research (IDC), Masters programs, and other fees.
Notwithstanding claims of self-sustainability, some of these capital projects entail financial commitments that may compromise the nature of the pedagogical mission of the University.
Notwithstanding claims of self-sustainability, some of these capital projects entail financial commitments that may compromise the nature of the pedagogical mission of the University.
In just five years (2015-2020), UCSD has incurred more than $2.6 billion in expenses associated with capital projects.
In just five years (2015-2020), UCSD has incurred more than $2.6 billion in expenses associated with capital projects.
These capital projects have assumed $153 million of various campus, state and auxiliary funds, and have created $2 billion of additional debt tied to revenue bonds issued by UCOP.
These capital projects have assumed $153 million of various campus, state and auxiliary funds, and have created $2 billion of additional debt tied to revenue bonds issued by UCOP.
NB: Unfortunately, there is a lack of precise, disaggregated data on the budget allocation for these capital projects. The only publicly available data are the approved budgets from UC Board of Regent's Committees on Finance and Capital Strategy Property; and Grounds and Buildings.
NB: Unfortunately, there is a lack of precise, disaggregated data on the budget allocation for these capital projects. The only publicly available data are the approved budgets from UC Board of Regent's Committees on Finance and Capital Strategy Property; and Grounds and Buildings.
Driven by these capital projects, UCSD’s long-term debt has almost tripled in just 7 years.
Driven by these capital projects, UCSD’s long-term debt has almost tripled in just 7 years.
UCSD appears to have the largest and fastest-growing long-term debt of any UC campus.
UCSD appears to have the largest and fastest-growing long-term debt of any UC campus.
Between 2012 and 2019, long-term debt grew by 7% at UCLA, 10% at Berkeley, and 25% at UC Davis.
Between 2012 and 2019, long-term debt grew by 7% at UCLA, 10% at Berkeley, and 25% at UC Davis.
At UCSD, it grew by 187%.
At UCSD, it grew by 187%.
As a result of this massive growth, annual debt obligations have almost doubled since 2012.
As a result of this massive growth, annual debt obligations have almost doubled since 2012.
Based on projected capital projects, UCSD’s future seems to be firmly anchored in this growth model.
Based on projected capital projects, UCSD’s future seems to be firmly anchored in this growth model.
UCSD has more than $2 billion of additional capital projects projected for the next two years.
UCSD has more than $2 billion of additional capital projects projected for the next two years.
The Administration has provided little consultation concerning the desirability of these projects and their relation to the academic mission.
The Administration has provided little consultation concerning the desirability of these projects and their relation to the academic mission.
This massive investment in capital projects seems not to have translated into improvements in UCSD’s academic and public mission.
This massive investment in capital projects seems not to have translated into improvements in UCSD’s academic and public mission.