Project to provide childcare, early childhood development research cut before being implemented

UA pulled the plug Saturday on 20 years of planning to build a childcare center and is likley to remain the only university in the Pacific 10 Conference that does not offer childcare on campus.

The UA Child Development Center Project included plans to develop a daycare/early childhood development research center through funds raised in child development research grants, said Mimi Gray former director for planning and development of the project.

Gray lost her job last Saturday, when UA ended the project by eliminating her position. Gray worked at UA for eight years, three of them specifically trying to launch a childcare and research facility.

Prior to the research project's end, Gray and her staff made several funding requests and options to keep the project on campus, but were declined by UA.

University of Washington has four on-campus childcare centers.

"It is unusual for a land grant facility to not have childcare, but no other departments can pick up the cost," said Elizabeth Ervin, vice provost of academic affairs.

The Office of Academic Affairs oversaw the UA Child Development Center Project.

The cost of the program included Gray's salary and any money needed to run her office.

"There's enough resources here that we should be able to have (a child care facility), so people can get a college education," said education junior Nathan Ash, who is expecting his first child in October. "It's very disappointing."

Arizona is currently ranked 49th in spending for care of young children.

UA students were also given the opportunity to take part in the community outreach programs and classes in early childhood development.

"We don't just want to ensure they have someplace to work after they graduate. We want to make sure they have a quality place to work," said Pauline Baker, community spokesperson for the project.

Vision 2000, a proposal made by the Arizona Board of Regents in the early 1990s, mandated