Each fall, college student housing in Santa Cruz becomes a big question mark for several hundred students. In fact, housing is so tight that this fall, in anticipation of UC Santa Cruz''s biggest waiting list for housing ever, university officials have come up with what they think might be a novel solution--housing students approximately 40 miles to the south at Cal State University Monterey Bay.

"There is a big transportation question obviously. They really need to look into it and see how viable this option is," says Richard Westing, special assistant for public relations at CSUMB. "We do have the housing though." Specifically, CSUMB has dorm space for 489 students--plenty of spaces to accommodate the 380 to 400 CSUMB students in need of dorm space, says Westing, who estimates that CSUMB would be able to offer 85 spaces to UCSC students.

Westing reports that negotiations are going on between CSUMB President Peter Smith and Damon Sheri, contract analyst for UCSC, and he does not expect to have a solid answer on this issue until mid-July. CSUMB was contacted by the housing department at UCSC several months ago, Westing says. At this point, it''s "pretty much up to UCSC if it''s feasible or not," he says.

Director of Housing at CSUMB Dino Latino says UCSC is simply exploring different options at this point. "It''s very premature. There''s only been preliminary negotiations and there is nothing specific."

Nevertheless, UCSC housing officials are already asking students without guaranteed housing applications for the 1998-99 academic year whether they''d be interested in digs at CSUMB. "...we invite you to review the enclosed flyer and consider commuting to campus while living at CSU Monterey Bay," reads a June 1 letter from "Campus Housing."

If UCSC students do go to live on the CSUMB campus for the 1998-99 school year, Westing predicts UCSC will probably contract an entire residence hall on the main CSUMB campus.

The rooms being advertised at CSUMB are typical dorm rooms with a private bath; two students per room at a cost of $450 per student (that compares with $500 per student for on-campus housing at UCSC); kitchen facilities within the residence hall; access to CSUMB''s fitness center, health center and library; as well as an optional meal plan. As perks, UCSC is offering their students free parking permits at both campuses and priority registration as well as "ethernet and cable TV access" with CSUMB dorm units. UCSC students living at CSUMB would also be able to use the fitness and health centers and the campus library.

Liability for UCSC students housed on the CSUMB campus would be born by UCSC, says Westing. "CSUMB has their own insurance policy and UC students would be covered under UC liability."

So far, Carol Douglas-Hammer of the UCSC housing office says a dozen students have replied favorably to the idea of living at CSUMB. "I think it''s an interesting option that might have appeal to a lot of students, but it''s not an option for everyone," she says. "The [CSUMB] campus has a very different feel. It would take a mature student with a car. We are not going to force anyone to be there."