USF Reverses Decision to Evict Upward Bound, Popular College-Prep Program

Don't rely on the state

​Two months ago, the University of San Francisco decided to evict the popular college-prep program Upward Bound, saying there just wasn't the space anymore.

Miraculously, USF has managed to find enough room to keep the program around for another five years -- and it did so without having to expand its footprint.

USF announced that it will reapply for a grant and sponsor Upward Bound, which has helped low-income and minority students prepare academically for university life since 1966. The program brags that 90 percent of high school students who complete Upward Bound go to college.

"USF will provide classrooms as they are available, with the understanding that an administrative office and some classrooms will need to be relocated in the San Francisco community," Mary J. Wardell, USF's associate vice provost for diversity and community engagement, said in a statement released today.

On March 3, students protested the university's plan to dissolve the program to make more space for increasing summer school enrollment. Students argued that the timing was bad; heavy state budget cuts and a reduction in summer school classes in San Francisco high schools make the need for Upward Bound much greater.

The program provides counselors and teachers to help students make up courses and prepare for college. Upward Bound administration relies on USF for classrooms and other resources. About 140 high school students are enrolled, with another 50 participating in the math and science program, says Janice Dirden-Cook, program director.

"We are very happy with the decision," she says.

Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly