In a public university where talk of funding cuts, low wages,
limited resources and tight budgets buzz around many conversations,
UCLA’s wasteful construction projects this year exemplified a
troubling trend of funding mismanagement and wasted taxpayer and
student dollars.
An estimated $35 to $45 million has been spent over budget on
the construction of the Westwood Replacement Hospital, which began
with poor planning by UCLA’s capital programs. Construction
is now behind schedule and spotted with greedy and inefficient
contractors.
Other construction shortfalls occurred at Weyburn Terrace, the
new graduate student housing complex that was supposed to be a
shining example of UCLA’s commitment to students. But that
project, whose delays cost the housing department an expected $5
million in lost rent, is also behind schedule and plagued with
problems.
How does UCLA expect alumni and other donors to fork over money
to a university that is wasteful? How does UCLA expect incoming and
recruited students to trust the university to live up to its
promises?
It is insulting to raise student fees and ask for alumni to
donate in a time of budget crises and then to waste millions of
dollars.