UC Berkeley Wants Peaceful Resolution With Occupy the Farm Activists

http://berkeley.patch.com/articles/uc-berkeley-wants-peaceful-resolution-with-occupy-the-farm-activists?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

Dan Mogulof, executive director of the university's Office of Public Relations shared this statement, which has been modified slightly.

The parcel of land currently occupied by the protesters is not slated for commercial development. Rather, the 15-acre Gill Tract is currently being used for agricultural research (http://albany.patch.com/articles/whos-who-in-albany-damon-lisch) that will be impeded if the occupation continues.

In addition, one of our faculty members grows produce on the same land that is distributed to the needy. That too will be threatened if the occupation persists or a failure to maintain sanitary conditions contaminates the soil.

We intend to reach out to those involved, convey the actual facts and discuss next steps.

There is proposed commercial development for another portion of the land in the general area. That project awaits approval from the Albany City Council and planning commission.

The 2004 master plan for the entire area is available here: http://www.cp.berkeley.edu/CP/Projects/UVA/MasterPlan_061804.pdf.

The protesters are in violation of campus policy and state law. If the occupation continues, those policies and laws will be enforced when we determine it can be done safely and effectively. We do not want anything to impede the research.