Huffington Magazine Issue 20 | Page 50

THE ART OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION Francisco Chronicle at the time of the hearing, Elisa Stephens defended the school’s real estate practices. “We did not intentionally violate any laws,” Stephens said. “We care about San Francisco the city and the community - but there is lot of red tape. This is the city’s reputation.” Stephens, in an e-mail, notes that the school is working to improve its relationship with the city. “We are addressing these issues with the city because at the end of the day we think we share the same goals for this city — to be the global innovation economy leader,” she notes. “We truly believe that the relationship between (the university) and the city should be a win-win.” A report commissioned by the school in 2010 found that it directly and indirectly supports 4,600 jobs in the city and contributes $140 million annually to the regional economy. The Academy also has an impact on San Francisco’s fast-dwindling supply of affordable housing — especially when it purchases rentcontrolled apartments and converts them into dormitories. Not only does San Francisco have both the highest average rent HUFFINGTON 10.28.12 ($1,905 for a two-bedroom apartment) and highest median home price ($705,000) of any major city in the country, but those prices are increasing