To the students of the University of California, Santa Barbara:
As your Associated Students professional staff, our mission is to empower, mentor, guide and support UCSB students to deepen and enhance civic engagement and social responsibility by:
- Facilitating learning through student initiated projects and programs.
- Ensuring student inclusion in shared governance of the university.
- Initiating and facilitating collaboration within the UCSB community and beyond.
- Safeguarding the continuity, financial stability and institutional memory of the AS organization for current and future students.
- Respecting student agency to create their own path.
Student and social movements around the country are calling for the recognition of humanity in one another. Some examples are the protests at the University of Missouri, Yale, Amherst College, Ithaca College, Smith College, Claremont McKenna College, San Jose State University, and within the Black Lives Matter movement. We acknowledge and stand in solidarity with those who fight against all manner of racism, xenophobia, inequity in higher education, the unlawful killing of Black people, racial profiling, police brutality and racial inequality in the criminal justice system. We understand that crisis is felt at the individual and collective levels; it is important to recognize no one should have to bear such burdens alone. Associated Students staff releases this statement of solidarity with our students at this time of significant social, political, ideological and educational change.
We stand with our UCSB student communities, and with students everywhere that demand educational reforms to better the world and our collective future. We support student agency in political action within the University by providing training, continuing dialogues, and engaging in collaborative efforts. We are committed to assisting students in using their voice to attain social, economic and personal justice. Examples on our campus include the Million Student March, which took place nationwide and at UCSB on November 12, 2015 and a panel discussion at the MultiCultural Center, November 19, 2015, sponsored by LUNA (Latina/o UCSB Networking Association) and APIA (Asian Pacific Islander Alliance) entitled Calling In: Cultivating Racial Consciousness and Inclusivity.
Consistent with our mission, we remain open to students regarding any and all opinions, and to help facilitate discussions. We do not have all the answers, but our goal is to let you know that we stand ready to proactively, peacefully and productively engage with students.
Below are a few resources about these events, as well as a link to the Associated Students website where staff contact information is located. We look forward to continued engagement and dialogue as a community during this important time.
(See the links below for additional information.)