The Proverbial Graduate Center

September 19, 2007: When Graduate Gardens and Graduate Hills were privatized back in 1994, this created a revenue stream for the University. 30% of all rents paid go back to the University, and this has yielded the University a total of $13.5 million. In 1994, the University made commitments to graduate student leaders that this money would be used to improve graduate student life, including the building of a Graduate Center. 13 years later, the Graduate Center does not exist, and the $13.5 million has been used for various projects on campus that have not specifically benefited graduate students (Alumni Center, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Computer Science Building, etc.)

Meanwhile, the rents at these two properties have continued to increase at a rapid rate. This past year, some units had a 9% rent increase, while graduate student stipends increased 4.55%.

Laura Moore
GSG President

Background information:

1994 press release from University (mentions the Graduate Center) (April 14, 1994)

GSG's letter to the University (August 14, 2007)

University's response (September 6, 2007)

GSG's letter to President Mote and Cabinet (October 23, 2007)

Diamondback coverage: Officials used rent revenue elsewhere (September 17, 2007)

Diamondback opinion: Phony funding (September 17, 2007)

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