CSULB reassures American Indians

Responding to a report that Cal State Long Beach may develop student parking and housing on land belonging to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the university strongly assured American Indian tribal representatives Monday that it has not committed to any plans.

Keith Polakoff, associate vice president for academic affairs, asserted the university did not have designs on the Patients' Garden in particular, a site at the medical center dedicated to patient physical rehabilitation and therapy.

Veterans and area American Indians have expressed concerns regarding a report in the Summer Forty-Niner that the site might be developed.

Pointing to the June 15 story that was accompanied by photograph of a veteran working in the garden, Polakoff said, "I haven't even been able to find anyone who knows anything about this garden or where it's located."

Polakoff made his remarks in Brotman Hall at the monthly committee meeting of tribal representatives working with the university to "repatriate," or give back, American Indian artifacts and burial remains excavated by faculty in the 1950s and '60s.

Sam Dunlap, spokesperson for the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe, said he was satisfied with Polakoff's response.

Polakoff said the university has been in discussions with the medical center regarding a joint parking lot on land located across Seventh Street.

More recently the university and medical center have discussed the idea of a privately owned and operated dormitory, he said.