Plans for a new faculty housing are entering the early stages of development, and for one professor at Sacramento State, it could not come sooner.

For assistant professor of communication studies David Zuckerman, the talks of a new faculty housing project are all too familiar.

“I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting and it doesn’t seem to be moving along,” Zuckerman said. “They tell me it is, but I do have some fear.”

He fears that when the housing plans are finally completed, they aren’t going to be for him and his family.

For someone like Zuckerman, who has been on the Sac State staff for four years, the alternative to working in Sacramento is one that he does not want to see. It is something that he will do, however reluctant the decision may be.

“I really would prefer not to leave,” Zuckerman said.

Zuckerman sees the addition of a new housing project as part of the “total compensation.”

“It’s not money, it’s not the university giving me something,” Zuckerman said.

The situation is a volatile one, and as Zuckerman expressed his opinion, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the reality of a campus without affordable housing for professors.

“If we don’t address that, what the students are going to be left with is the people who have been here long enough that they can afford to live, and the people who aren’t good enough to get another job.”

Zuckerman hopes that talking about the issue will set a precedent for all California State Universities.

University Village, a mixed housing plan for staff and faculty, is in the early stages and is expected to be completed by 2009, which matches up with President Alexander Gonzalez’s Destination 2010 plan.

Doraiswamy Ramachandran, interim associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was appointed to the board that is working on the planning for the village near Ramona Avenue once used by the California Youth Authority, as a correctional facility.

“The project is in the very early stages right now. There is demolition going on, but right now the project is only in the form of a concept,” Ramachandran said.

Matt Altier, executive director of the University Enterprises Development group, which is in charge of the University Village said the project is also in the planning stages, and the hope is to have people move, in 2009.

“We are still in the process of planning the best use for the site, but we anticipate between 400-450 residential homes in a beautiful and vibrant village-type setting,” Altier said.

A main street, child care center and community center are also expected to be part of the community, Altier said. “The expectation is that the homes will be sold or leased to our faculty and staff at below market prices, providing an affordable, beautiful place to live,” he said.

Altier added that Sac State will be providing alternative modes of transportation for the faculty and staff from the location to school so that those people do not have to drive to school.

Associated Students Inc. President Jesus Andrade said he is excited about the University village and the new resident halls, but that he has concerns about the facilities.

“The University Village project is long overdue, and it will give faculty and staff the opportunity to lease or buy property, unlike with the residence halls where renting is the only option,” Andrade said.

Altier said once a planning committee is created, if will come up with a marketing plan and a list for priority purchases.

Philip Malan can be reached [email protected]

Josh Staab can be reached at [email protected]