USC Relocated to Ninth District
Every decade the Los Angeles City Council undergoes the process of redrawing district lines. USC has come to the forefront of a controversial placement conflict between District 8 and District 9.
The L.A. City Council voted on Friday to approve USC’s University Park Campus move entirely into District 9. USC had previously been split between both the eighth and ninth districts.
In a hearing before the 21-member redistricting commission and the city council, USC made a plea to be placed in one district. USC asked not be made the only university in Los Angeles who is split between two districts.
“The University Park campus is where we teach our students, where our students live, where we conduct our back office operations, where our students and faculty shop, eat and go to the movies, and where we focus our community outreach efforts,” a representative for the University argued.
The University Park campus, as well as Exposition Park, are being moved to District 9. Little Tokyo, Skid Row, the Civic Center, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Music Center, Grand Avenue and Bunker Hill are being relocated out of the district.
Controversy surrounded the decision as District 8 representative Bernard Parks, and District 9 representative Jan Perry voted against this relocation. Both representatives believe that this move will isolate lower income franchises in District 9. Residents of District 8 are upset with the fact that their concerns will no longer be heard over USC expansion plans.
“The newly proposed lines are troubling and unnecessary,” said Perry.
David Galaviz, executive director of local government relations insists USC’s desire to be relocated has nothing to do with politics. “We just want to be in one district,” said Galaviz.
Thomas Sayles, Senior Vice President of University Relations for USC, is happy with the new placement in District 9.
“We are delighted that the city council granted our request to place our University Park campus in a single district. We would like to thank them and we are looking forward to working with the entire council, particularly with our new council member, Jan Perry,” said Sayles.
In a less controversial decision, the University Health Sciences campus will remain in District 14, represented by Council Member Jose Huizar.
