CSUN Task Force Is Proof That Partnership Can Work

Much has been made about the recent deterioration in Cal State Northridge’s relationships with its students and neighbors over the sports program cancellations, tax refund withholding and the development of North Campus.

The university clearly lost sight of the fact that it is a public institution belonging to all the people of the San Fernando Valley and beyond, not to the school administration or the Cal State University chancellor’s office. Through misinformed decision-making, the university has dissipated much of the goodwill generated over the past several years under President Blenda Wilson’s leadership both before and after the Northridge earthquake.

The good news is that the university has responded constructively on at least one of the issues--the proposed University MarketCenter project on North Campus. In December, as a result of significant opposition to the proposed 20-acre project from neighbors and the business community, the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley created a task force I chaired. Our report, issued in February, called for a joint university-community task force to develop a master plan for the entire 65-acre North Campus area.

The university responded expeditiously by establishing a 28-member task force with representatives of Northridge-area homeowner associations, community groups, business organizations (including the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the United Chambers of Commerce, as well as local chambers) and the students, faculty and administration of the university. The task force was well-balanced, fairly and openly run, and afforded opportunity for every viewpoint.

The task force developed a conceptual plan for North Campus responsive to the needs of both the university and the community. We determined that the university’s needs were, first, for revenue to support campus programs and, second, for development on the site with solid links to the school’s many fine academic programs. The community’s desires included ensuring development that would contribute positively to the economy of the Valley, would be environmentally friendly to surrounding neighborhoods and would be a source of pride for both the university and Valley.

The most controversial element of the plan may be retail uses of the property. Although the conceptual plan does include a retail development on North Campus, it should be no more than 10 acres, should not abut Lindley Avenue and should be closely related to the service needs of the university population and local community. Also strongly recommended are facilities for the entertainment industry, including sound stages and pre- and post-production offices that would afford opportunities for students in everything from the arts to computer animation.

The conceptual plan also includes a new and improved multipurpose football stadium, greenbelts and pedestrian walkways, and a possible high-tech research and development office park. The University Village housing complex already on the site would be retained for the near future.

This conceptual plan, which must be approved by the university and the CSU chancellor and Board of Trustees, represents the kind of thoughtful, balanced result that can be achieved by the university and community working closely together.

The university has learned--or relearned--the lesson that partnership can meet the needs of the greatest number. The community has learned that speaking out in a responsible way and working toward constructive solutions can help restore a positive relationship with the university and produce a result satisfactory to most parties.

Although we haven’t solved all of the university’s problems, we have shown that by bringing students, the community and university together, other major issues can be addressed responsibly to produce successful outcomes.