UC Berkeley could be forced to reject thousands of qualified applicants due to a court decision stemming from a long and bitter housing fight.
On Feb. 10, a state appeals court upheld an earlier ruling siding with a neighborhood group that ordered UC Berkeley to freeze its enrollment at 2020-21 levels. The neighborhood group, led by Phil Bokovoy, claims it is irresponsible to expand enrollment in the middle of a housing crisis. There is not enough housing or parking to accommodate more students, according to Bokovoy. But his group has opposed student housing projects in the city.
The decision means many UC Berkeley hopefuls will have their admission offers rescinded. In addition to record admission denials, UC Berkeley said the enrollment freeze would cost $57 million in projected revenue, reducing financial aid opportunities and student services.
The University is now asking the California Supreme Court to intervene. It has received support from some local legislators.
“As a UC Berkeley graduate, as a Berkeley resident, & as a Berkeley City Councilmember, I'm fuming,” tweeted Councilman Rigel Robinson. “Closing the door on the next generation of students is the solution to none of our challenges. Phil thinks he's fighting for the City of Berkeley. He's just fighting for himself.”