The East Meadow Action Committee (EMAC) is a group of University of California, Santa Cruz faculty, students, alumni, staff, and concerned community members who have joined together in an effort to prevent development on one of the campus's most important scenic landmarks, the East Meadow, north and east of the intersection of Hagar and Coolidge Drive on the UCSC campus. EMAC is encouraging those who oppose the developement of the East Meadow to sign the official petition.

East Meadow Action Committee writes: "The open meadows are central to UCSC’s world-renowned design aesthetic. This proposal overturns a fifty-year tradition of environmentally-conscious planning. We support more, better, and more affordable student housing and improved childcare facilities on campus. There are other places to build them that do not overturn UCSC’s proudest traditions.

"A fast-moving current project, “Student Housing West,” is a radical break with this tradition. Last Fall, with little public awareness and no debate, a plan to create 3000 new beds on the West side of campus spilled over into the East Meadow. Rigid growth targets from the U.C. central administration and new environmental restrictions have put pressure on the project’s footprint. To gain space, the Family Student Housing complex, with an expanded campus daycare center, is being relocated to the open meadow adjacent to Hagar and Coolidge Drives.

"No one doubts the need to house more students on campus. Quality family housing and expanded childcare are also absolutely essential. What needs to be questioned is the hasty decision to occupy this very special site without time to seriously consider alternatives and without transparent public communication."

Read More: UC Santa Cruz: The Case For the Meadow | UC Santa Cruz: East Meadow to be Developed