Who owns the land? If UC does, how did UC get it?
The land has been deeded to the UC Regents. The majority of the land (964 acres) was transferred in September of 1994. The remaining lands will be transferred this year. This land transfer, along with the simultaneous transfer of lands to CSUMB, represents the first Federal land transfer of its kind in the Country. Until 1994 Federal lands could be transferred to Universities at no cost for educational purposes. UCSC interest in Fort Ord lands was to entitle property for employers whose activities would enhance teaching and research programs in regional institutions and contribute to a strong regional economy. Under traditional transfer laws profit-making activities could not be sited on lands transferred to a university. With the leadership of Congressman Panetta and Congressman Farr and through work with the Administration, a new law was enacted that allowed no cost transfers for job creation, thereby eliminating the prohibition on siting of private industry on university lands.
