Organized and led by UCSB’s Academic Senate, the university’s governing body, the review states that the building needs a “robust redesign”—it’s too big and needs more windows, additional ventilation in suites and kitchen areas, and more room space.
“The current design of Munger Hall incorporates a number of non-traditional and controversial elements that have triggered concern among faculty, staff, students, and the broader public,” the 202-page report reads.
The building was named after Charles Munger, a billionaire philanthropist who donated $200 million in 2021—and possibly will provide more funds for construction—to design and develop what was originally meant to be a 4,500-bed, 11-story residence hall on campus.
The panel expressed appreciation for Munger’s donations but said the early design process didn’t include community input, possibly due to COVID-related disruptions.
According to the panel, the report includes additional community feedback from more than 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and other community members, providing diverse voices and representation in the project’s planning process.
These suggested changes are meant to avoid potential issues arising from restricted living spaces, such as psychological stress and social conflicts. The design team will also look into adding more windows for more natural light and air circulation and cooking appliances to make it easier for students to prepare meals.
UCSB spokesperson Kiki Reyes told The Epoch Times that the campus community “has been acutely impacted by unprecedented demands for housing.”
With Munger Hall, the university seeks to provide 3,500 more beds on campus—at 20 to 30 percent below the area’s market rate of $4,000 in rent, she said.
“Creating more affordable, safe, and desirable on-campus housing options for all UC Santa Barbara undergraduate students is critical to our campus’s future and to help address housing pressure in the broader Santa Barbara community,” Reyes said.
