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A Letter to Students: What it Means to be Part of the UCSB Community

Letter to Gauchos 2015

Summer, 2015

    Dear New Gauchos:

You will be joining the UC Santa Barbara community in a few short weeks. At this time of transition, it is important to share with you our expectations about the fundamental values and essential components of a productive, healthy, and safe campus—namely, our commitment to mutual respect, civility, decency, and to a community free from violence of any kind, including sexual violence.

We expect every UCSB community member to behave respectfully and civilly to one another. This expectation is non-negotiable. There is no tolerance for sexual violence of any kind, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. We want to be clear that these actions, whether committed on or off campus, are violations of UC policy (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SHSV), campus regulations, and the law. As a campus we are committed to providing education to help prevent sexual violence, as well as resources to support survivors and encourage reporting of incidents. Every member of our campus community has a responsibility to help end sexual violence by confronting behaviors, actions, and attitudes that contribute to sexual violence.

Similarly, acts of intolerance, disrespect, bullying, or violence, especially regarding sexual orientation, race, gender, ethnicity or religion (e.g., anti-Semitic or anti-Islamic expressions or behaviors) compromise our sense of community, our feeling of personal well-being, and our ability to live and learn together. In simple terms, just because you can do or say something (because it’s legal) doesn’t mean that you should do or say it.  This caution also applies to communication and actions on social media, email or by text.

Being a student at a world-class institution confers privilege, prestige, and unparalleled opportunities, but it also entails a set of obligations, standards, and expectations. Being at UCSB means being not only a dedicated scholar but also a principled leader, a conscientious citizen, and a constructive and compassionate community member. We encourage you to do your part to maintain a safe, positive, respectful, and healthy community, both on campus and in Isla Vista.

Our campus community is not immune to acts of intolerance or from misconduct that violates campus policies. We encourage you to report such behavior, if you encounter it, and to seek assistance for yourself or others from the following resources if you become aware of an incident that compromises the values of our community:

  •   CARE Advocate Office for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Misconduct, (confidential resources and information on reporting options for sexual violence, sexual assault, abusive relationships, and stalking), Student Resource Building, 805-893-4613 (24-hour advocacy line) or http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu/CARE or http://sexualviolence.ucsb.edu
  • Isla Vista Foot Patrol, 805-681-4179 (911 in an emergency)
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resources and the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, 805-893-5847 or http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu

Additional resources for addressing campus climate issues are available from the Office of Student Life, Educational Opportunity Program, MultiCultural Center, Dream Scholars Resource Team, and the Veteran’s Resource Center (contact information for these services available at www.sa.ucsb.edu).

We hope you will take a leadership role on campus by helping us keep the campus safe and welcoming for everyone. Each of the departments listed above has opportunities available for you to get involved, and we encourage you to do so. On behalf of UCSB staff, faculty, and the entire Division of Student Affairs, we wish you a productive and rewarding year. 

Sincerely,
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Mary Jacob                        
Acting Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 

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Debbie Fleming
Senior Associate Dean, Student Life

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Katya Armistead
Associate Dean, Student Life and Activities


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