UCSD has closed its chancellor's residence as uninhabitable. The 54-year-old house, which sits on a 6.7-acre ocean-view estate near campus, has served as the official residence and reception hall for University of California San Diego chancellors since John Galbraith in 1967.

Seismic deficiencies, along with plumbing, electrical and structural problems, caused university engineers to reassess the 12,000-square-foot home's condition at the urging of former Chancellor Bob Dynes, who is now UC president. A more detailed study will be presented next month assessing the cost of renovation as well as possible alternative uses for the property on La Jolla Farms Road.

This means UCSD's incoming chancellor, Marye Anne Fox, will be living elsewhere, at least temporarily. The university has leased a home near downtown La Jolla for Fox, who is due here from North Carolina State University in mid-August.

Interim chancellor Marsha Chandler had remained in her own home and did not reside in University House, as the property is known.

Designed by architect William Lumpkins in a Santa Fe style, the home was constructed in part of adobe bricks made on the site, recalls William F. Black, the son of William H. Black, who sold 130 acres (including the house) to UCSD for $2.7 million in 1967.

Part of nearby Torrey Pines Beach became known as Black's Beach because of its location below the Black property.

The land around University House has been the source of ancient artifacts and burial items unearthed by researchers. The Journal of New World Archaeology documented findings of skeletal remains of a young adult male and older female in what was thought to be a double burial that took place about 8,350 years ago, according to bone analysis.

A group representing UC faculty, staff, students and the community has been appointed to consider options for University House. "The final solution could be several years away," says a memo signed by UCSD administrators John Woods and Joseph Mullinix.