Key Facts Missing About Land Sale

Profs. (Joie Pierce) Jones and (Richard E.) MacMillen left out several key facts in their opinion article Feb. 15 (“Academics, Industry a Costly Blend”) attacking the decision of the UC regents to sell 25 acres of UC Irvine land for San Joaquin Hills Corridor right of way.

First, UCI’s own master plan acknowledges that the corridor must be built if the campus is to grow to serve future students and accommodate a campus research park that will produce revenues for the university system.

Second, less than 3% of the 68-acre campus ecological preserve will be impacted by the road, at its extreme edge, which backs up to Bonita Canyon Road.

Third, the professors imply that the Academic Senate has an official voice in matters such as this land sale. In fact it has none. The regents, not professors, are vested by the state Constitution with the power to make these decisions.

Finally, Profs. Jones and MacMillen are hardly dispassionate observers. They are plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the regents challenging the land sale, a fact they chose not to reveal in their essay.

MICHAEL STOCKSTILL

Director of Public Affairs, Transportation Corridor Agencies