SDSU Releases Final Environmental Impact Report for 2007 Campus Master Plan

Study identifies university’s fair-share for mitigation connected to campus development

Contact:
Jack Beresford
Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications
San Diego State University
(619) 594-2448 office
jack.beresford@sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO (Friday, Nov. 2, 2007) — San Diego State University today announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for its 2007 Campus Master Plan. This document is the result of significant study about the potential impacts that could result from the Campus Master Plan, proposed mitigation measures to address these impacts, as well as public comments received throughout the environmental review process.

"We have worked closely with the community over the past year and have listened to feedback throughout this process," said Lauren Cooper, interim director, Facilities Planning, Design and Construction at SDSU. "In fact, many changes to the plan, including increasing on-campus student housing, are the direct result of our conversations with our neighbors."

In September 2005, the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the SDSU 2005 Campus Master Plan, but a California Supreme Court decision in July 2006 - City of Marina v. Board of Trustees of The California State University - required the CSU Board of Trustees to decertify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SDSU plan and set aside its approval. The court decision encourages that CSU negotiate in good faith with impacted localities regarding its fair-share of the costs of mitigations for off-site impacts resulting from university development, and requires that CSU seek funding for its fair-share amount through the state budget process. This decision applies to the entire CSU system, including San Diego State University.

As a result of City of Marina, a significant update from the Draft EIR is the identification of SDSU’s fair-share amount towards mitigation measures needed because of campus development. SDSU proposes to request in excess of $6 million for the university's fair-share of roadway improvements made necessary by university development within the city of San Diego and city of La Mesa. In addition, SDSU will support Caltrans in its efforts to seek state funding for project-related mitigations to freeway interchange projects totaling more than $10 million.

SDSU and the city of San Diego have been engaged in negotiations relating to the proposed Campus Master Plan since December 2006, although the university and the city could not reach agreement on the package of proposed mitigations. Nevertheless, despite the absence of an agreement between SDSU and the City, the university proposes to request a total of $6.4 million through the state budget process for roadway improvements to mitigate the project's significant impacts to 16 roadway segments and intersections located within the city of San Diego's jurisdiction. While directing CSU campuses to negotiate with impacted agencies in good faith, the City of Marina decision leaves the final decision of appropriate mitigation up to the CSU Trustees.

The Campus Master Plan will be reviewed by the CSU Board of Trustees on November 14, 2007.

The 2007 Campus Master Plan is a comprehensive plan that will allow SDSU to provide increased academic space, student housing and services and faculty housing to meet growing student demand. It is expected to increase SDSU’s enrollment capacity from 25,000 full-time equivalent students to 35,000 over the next two decades. It will also enable the university to achieve its share of the state mandated growth and help ensure the state and region will have the benefit of an educated professional workforce.

"SDSU’s ability to meet the growing demand for higher education is vitally important to keeping San Diego’s economy humming," said Julie Meier Wright, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. "Implementation of its Campus Master Plan will ensure that SDSU continues to produce the talented crop of graduates that our workforce needs. For these reasons, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation is proud to support SDSU’s plan to increase access to higher education."

For more information on SDSU’s 2007 Campus Master Plan and the anticipated timeline of the review process visit SDSU’s Web site at www.sdsu.edu/masterplan.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 81 areas, master's degrees in 73 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU's approximately 35,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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