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Save the Neighbourhood Community of Acadia Park

Save the Neighbourhood Community of Acadia Park

182 signatures 68 to reach 250
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Julia C. signed
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Started by Anonymous 14 years, 2 months ago
Current and past residents of UBC Student Family Housing in Acadia Park believe that there is a unique community that deserves the respect, support, and saving grace of UBC. Acadia Park is the visceral embodiement of UBC Trek. For over forty years, hundreds and hundreds of graduate students and undegraduates too, have completed their degrees knowing they and their children and spouses were living in a safe, supportive and caring community where a hello might one day turn into a helping hand. Many babies were born into this caring community over the years. First toddling walks were made in the grasses of the greenspace. But such living is under threat now. The older courts are slated for demolition this fall and there are more changes to come. Students in their final year or even months of their program are being faced with expensive forced moves, where time and money are already in limited supply. We the undersigned believe that the student family community should be respected and sustained as follows: 1. All students currently living in housing slated for decommissioning should receive equivalent housing at the same rate they are currently paying. If this means delaying demolition, then there should indeed be a delay. 2. The University should initiate a process for archiving the stories and history of the Acadia Student Family Housing. A gathering of stories from current residents in particular would help in planning what is a liveable, affordable, and sustainable community for the future. 3. The legacy of the community experience which includes the health and welfare of student families, must be both understood and maintained for future generations of students. Safe, affordable, and health sustaining housing contributes to the academic goals of students. And in turn this serves UBC's desire to be a highly ranked and well regarded internationally celebrated university. 4. UBC must re-examine the short term demolition plans and the long term plan to change much of Acadia to non-academic use, which means market, profit-making housing and increasing density for student family housing, at the expense of green space. 5. Recognize the rights of children of students. In particular for those whose student-parents travel from places far from extended family support, recognize they are well served by the lifegiving environment of Acadia Park. This must be saved for future generations of students. 6. Acadia Park pre-school, not originally slated for demolition, should be maintained and supported as part of the plan to serve the needs of the children who live in Acadia Park.

Updates

May 12, 2012

I spent the afternoon reading the stories you have shared here and it is clear that Acadia Park is so much more than just a place to study. Watching my own children grow up in these greenspaces has been the greatest gift of my time at university, and I refuse to let the administration tear down these memories without a fight. My focus is now on preparing these testimonials for the housing committee so they finally understand the human cost of their development plans.

May 12, 2012

Seeing this grow fills me with such hope for the families who raised their children in these courts. It means the world to know so many people understand that this home is worth fighting for.

Reached 100 supporters

May 12, 2012

6 Comments

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David Sloan
14 years ago Featured

my wife and i are in our last year and being forced to move now would ruin everything. have a heart ubc. keep the rates the same.

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Chloe Cox
14 years ago Featured

so many memories here. hate to see it go like this

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Sarah Lloyd
14 years ago Featured

lived here for 3 years and it honestly helped me finish my thesis. dont tear down our homes just to build something shiny and new. we need affordable family housing now

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Mark Nair
14 years ago Featured

UBC seriously needs to get their priorities straight. we are students not just numbers on a spread sheet. keep the rent fair

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Elena Townsend
14 years ago Featured

Acadia park isnt just buildings its a community. my kids have so many friends here and moving would break their hearts. leave us alone.

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Jason Gibson
14 years ago Featured

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. grad students are struggling enough as it is. stop making our lives harder.

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