UC Santa Barbara will have to find alternative housing for the incoming chancellor because the on-campus University Chancellor House needs extensive renovations.
The UC Regents, the governing board for the UC system, is expected to vote Wednesday to authorize delegates to secure a rental for the new chancellor, who has yet to be selected.
Current Chancellor Henry Yang, who is one of the longest-serving chancellors in the UC system, is stepping down at the end of this school year.
The alternative housing has to be near campus, be in good condition and can’t cost more than $25,000 a month, according to a report for the meeting.
The University House at 314 Channel Islands Road is on the UCSB campus next to the Centennial House and across from the Santa Cruz residential hall. The house is shielded by tall shrubbery and fences, was constructed in 1964 and is 4,668 square feet. It’s a single story with three bedrooms, four full bathrooms, two half baths, a study and a work room.
According to a report to the UC Regents Governance Committee, the house is mostly in its original condition and hasn’t been updated. The electrical, heating and plumbing services need to be updated to support modern appliances. The exterior doors, glazed sliding doors, and windows also need to be replaced.
Renovations aren’t expected to be completed until late 2026.
The required renovations mean the house will be uninhabitable for the incoming UCSB chancellor, so UC delegates now find themselves in a situation all too familiar to students — looking for housing in a competitive and low-supply market.
Funds for a rental will come from UCSB’s Short-Term Investment Pool payout and Total Return Investment Pool payout, which is typically used for construction, maintenance, student services, institutional support and debt service. No state funds will be used, according to the report.
A rental hasn’t been found yet but will be needed by July 1, which is when the new chancellor is expected to take over from Yang.
The campus has begun a preliminary rental search by reviewing current listings, contacting local property management companies, and contacting local agents who have properties for sale to ask whether the owners would consider a two-year lease, according to the report.
The monthly rent can’t exceed $25,000, which according to the report is consistent with market rates near campus and is enough to support a space where the chancellor can host small university gatherings.
The UC Regents are set to vote at their meeting at UC San Francisco Mission Bay on Wednesday on allowing UC President Michael Drake, or his delegates, to negotiate and secure a lease.
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Yang has been the chancellor since 1994 and in September received a salary increase to $820,000. He plans to return to teaching and research after leaving the chancellor position.
