New school at Van Ness bigger than Wilson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

My interactions are limited to cutting through the campus, including the buildings, to drop off/pick up my kid at Murch. I would do more interacting with UDC students/staff if there were any to be found.

The shiny new student center that cost millions: nearly empty at all times.

Academic buildings: nearly empty at all times.

That big ugly mass of concrete at the center of campus: completely empty at all times.

If it's not the most depressing college campus in America, it has to be right up there.

And ask any Murch parent/staff member about how UDC has gone to great lengths to make this temporary arrangement as uncomfortable as possible. "They offer a lot to the community," my ass.

Not true at all. The new student center is fantastic and has a beautiful gym/ fitness center that will soon be open to public memberships.

Sorry, no sympathy for the Murch parents who are fleecing the city for their own beautiful new school.

The new student center is fantasticly empty at all hours, sure.

Honest question:

How are Murch parents "fleecing the city"? You'll need to show your work here. Use facts, not dipshit assertions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

People may disagree with this poster's bluntness, but the fact remains that the UDC campus is a brutalist ghost town at pretty much all times (Murch's swing space pretty much quadrupled the foot traffic in the area, but that will be going away after June). The city needs to rethink the space, because it could be used so much more efficiently. UDC's footprint either should be reduced (in no way does it need all of that space) -- so that the campus shares space with commercial and residential development -- or moved altogether to a more central location.

Of course, this will never happen because UDC -- now little more than a glorified community college -- is so politically entrenched.

Is it even accredited?

Yes. And actually the campus is pretty cool and they offer a lot to the community. Don't put it down until you've been over there and interacted with the school. They are actually doing some pretty amazing work.

And developer trolls, keep off!

My interactions are limited to cutting through the campus, including the buildings, to drop off/pick up my kid at Murch. I would do more interacting with UDC students/staff if there were any to be found.

The shiny new student center that cost millions: nearly empty at all times.

Academic buildings: nearly empty at all times.

That big ugly mass of concrete at the center of campus: completely empty at all times.

If it's not the most depressing college campus in America, it has to be right up there.

And ask any Murch parent/staff member about how UDC has gone to great lengths to make this temporary arrangement as uncomfortable as possible. "They offer a lot to the community," my ass.

Not true at all. The new student center is fantastic and has a beautiful gym/ fitness center that will soon be open to public memberships.

Sorry, no sympathy for the Murch parents who are fleecing the city for their own beautiful new school.

You are ignorant of the issues we’ve been dealing with. UDC got paid A LOT of money for our kids to have a field onto which DCPS put trailers that were miles better than what we had at the original building. UDC has done nothing but make our life hell. They took back the facilities we were promised and negotiated and our kids have to eat and have PE in the bubble. So spare me the hate on NW schools. No one bitches when millions are poured into failing SE schools, but when our kids get a first Reno in 80 years it’s an outcry. UDC is another DC mismanaged travesty plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

"MB-UDC"?!?!

[Anonymous]

As an aside, what are the ultimate plans for 4250 Conn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an aside, what are the ultimate plans for 4250 Conn?

It's going to remain mixed-use office/retail after plans to convert it into a UDC dorm fell through "because of budget and time constraints."

http://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/no-apartments-no-udc-dorm-at-4250-connecticut-itll-remain-office-and-retail-space/

Building owner is promising "upgrades," however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an aside, what are the ultimate plans for 4250 Conn?

It's going to remain mixed-use office/retail after plans to convert it into a UDC dorm fell through "because of budget and time constraints."

http://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/no-apartments-no-udc-dorm-at-4250-connecticut-itll-remain-office-and-retail-space/

Building owner is promising "upgrades," however.

This is good. Although there are some bright spots like Park Van Ness, the area still faces challenges. A UDC dorm would have been a real downer for the commercial area.

[Anonymous]

Guess I'm the only DCUMer with a child at UDC. And I'm HYPS too.

There were a number of reasons child landed there, but primarily health issues. It has been absolutely fantastic in accommodating child's health disabilities. A friend whose child with health problems attends UMD has had to put hours and hours into coaching his kid into how to deal with their disabilities office and still his child can't get the accommodations she should be entitled to. She has pretty much dropped out at this point.

We are very grateful that UDC was an alternative for our child that has made college possible.

A friend of mine with a degree from BU in public health took all her prerequisites for a nurse practitioner program there and was very satisfied. She is now in the NP program at Johns Hopkins.

[Anonymous]

I am a professional with a masters from a well regarded DC university. I took 2 "maintaining credentials" classes at UDC. Mixed bag... One prof was fantastic, good as you'd find anywhere. The other was, well, evil. Berating students who didn't know better, using her power and control etc. I'm glad your child is having a good experience there, but be watchful. I have a feeling there are a few bad apples who greatly abuse their positions. I was shocked but as. I wasn't dependent on a degree, just moved on. Wish I'd filed a complaint though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

I live in this neighborhood.

The students and staff that work and study at UDC are welcome in our neighborhood. I am thrilled that we have a vibrant educational center that draws students from across the city to this patch of town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

I live in this neighborhood.

The students and staff that work and study at UDC are welcome in our neighborhood. I am thrilled that we have a vibrant educational center that draws students from across the city to this patch of town.

This sounds like a flack post from the UDC communications department. There aren't many people who would call UDC a "vibrant educational center" with a straight face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

I live in this neighborhood.

The students and staff that work and study at UDC are welcome in our neighborhood. I am thrilled that we have a vibrant educational center that draws students from across the city to this patch of town.

This sounds like a flack post from the UDC communications department. There aren't many people who would call UDC a "vibrant educational center" with a straight face.

The only vibrancy on UDC's campus comes from a temporary elementary school that is leaving in four months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restrictions on UDC for school related traffic are strict and there was a lot of negotiating just to get Murch to swing in that location for two years, mostly due to traffic (which is why Murch has to bus kids from eight block away). The ANC, etc. look at schools very differently than an office building. It is a different kind, pattern, and volume of traffic.

The truth is that everyone wishes that UDC would pack up and move away from the neighborhood. It's such a downer on commercial activity, etc. It would be better if UDC relocated to a more central location closer to where more of its students live. Imagine how the UDC campus could be redeveloped for housing, commercial, a school site, recreation. I've also wondered why the neighborhood doesn't get the Metro renamed "Forest Hills," which sounds so much more pleasant than "Van Ness-UDC." The latter is not a neighborhood.

I live in this neighborhood.

The students and staff that work and study at UDC are welcome in our neighborhood. I am thrilled that we have a vibrant educational center that draws students from across the city to this patch of town.

This sounds like a flack post from the UDC communications department. There aren't many people who would call UDC a "vibrant educational center" with a straight face.

Ha. Nope, not a UDC employee. I'll admit that the PP's dog whistle might have had an effect on my writing style though ...

[Anonymous]

This school is the latest con scheme by Chris Whittle, whose various business ventures have been checkered at best. Whittle's reputation is much more Music Man than Warren Buffett. Caveat emptor.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/901303.The_Empire_Undone