Isla Vista

The community of Isla Vista, commonly known as “I.V.”, is one-half square mile in area and located adjacent to UCSB’s main campus. Approximately half of I.V.’s 23,000 residents are UCSB students; other residents include Santa Barbara City College students, families with children, a few UCSB faculty and staff members, and long term residents.

Originally a thriving Chumash Indian settlement when the Spanish arrived in the mid-1500s, Isla Vista secured a place in contemporary history between 1968 and 1970, at the height of the Vietnam War, with a series of civil disturbances. Local and national media covered arrests, riots, and clashes between protesters and the local law enforcement, and then-Governor Ronald Reagan called in the California National Guard for support. Out of the turmoil of this era emerged a number of successful grassroots community-building efforts, culminating in the creation of health and human service agencies and non-profits to serve Isla Vista residents.

Isla Vista is an unincorporated part of Santa Barbara County represented by an elected 3rd District Supervisor who is one member of the County Board of Supervisors. The current supervisor, Joan Hartmann, maintains a regular presence in Isla Vista, meeting frequently with students, other I.V. residents, and university administrators. The only local governmental agency in Isla Vista is the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District, which maintains over 50 acres of parks and public space in the community.

ISLA VISTA LIVING

Students who choose to live in IV enjoy the proximity of their friends and classmates, ocean views, beach access, a lively environment, and the convenience of being able to walk, bike, or skateboard to class. Students can give back to the community by getting involved with local agencies — mentoring youth at the YMCA Youth Center, tutoring students at IV Elementary School, participating in game nights at the local senior living center Friendship Manor, or serving on the IV Recreation and Parks District board. They learn valuable life skills through renting property, sharing space with roommates, participating in local government, and managing their own time, money, and health. Furthermore, IV offers an arts and culture scene, sorority and fraternity life, employment opportunities, recreation, and a beautiful location.

Commonly thought of as a lively “college” town, in reality, IV is a diverse, multi-generational community, populated by families with children, senior citizens, and a number of residents who have called Isla Vista home for many decades. Because of housing density, Isla Vista has some issues more commonly seen in urban areas such as noise, crowding, and lack of parking. While some of UCSB’s policies do extend to students living in IV, the influence of UCSB over IV is limited. UCSB has no jurisdiction over visitors or non-students living in the community. Law enforcement in IV is under the jurisdiction of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol (IVFP), staffed by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s officers and the California Highway Patrol, with a significant number of officers supplied by the UCSB Police Department. Officers from the three agencies respond to community safety concerns on foot, bicycle, and by car, making them flexible, responsive, and approachable.

Parents are urged to remind their students to be good citizens and good neighbors in Isla Vista. Isla Vista safety tips are provided under the Campus Safety section, and, as in any community, students should use caution and common sense. The most frequent crime in IV is property theft — typically the result of students leaving doors unlocked or property unsecured. More serious crimes do occur, including sexual assaults. UCSB works closely with residents, the County, Santa Barbara City College administrators, IV property owners, and law enforcement on community safety issues and student education around safety issues including sexual assault and alcohol and other drug concerns. UCSB’s Alcohol and Drug Program coordinates many student-focused educational programs and campaigns as well as individual and group counseling for students. The Campus Advocacy, Resources and, Education (CARE) program provides confidential advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual violence including relationship, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.

Many recent safety-related enhancements in the community include dramatic improvements in public lighting, sidewalk expansions, new, permanent fencing installation in public areas to improve safety along the cliffs (which pose dangers of both erosion and falls), and increases in late-night alternative social programming both on campus and in IV. UCSB works with County officials to address safety and ongoing efforts to improve community spaces and local governance options. Additionally, a student services annex in the heart of IV, the Gaucho Support Center, provides education, UCSBbased psychological counseling, and student mental health coordination services.

To many, Isla Vista is a Beloved Community — a unique and special place that can provide UCSB students with opportunities to grow, learn, connect with others, and contribute in meaningful ways. We hope you will encourage your student to treat the community with respect and to be a good neighbor. You are welcome to visit Isla Vista, support local businesses by shopping in Isla Vista, and experience all of the All dates in diversity the community has to offer.

UCSB IN ISLA VISTA

UCSB maintains a presence in the community of Isla Vista in many ways. Students, staff and faculty are involved with a wide range of educational, outreach, cultural, and volunteer community projects. UCSB’s Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) provides group academic tutorials and learning skills workshops on-site in Isla Vista, and the Alcohol and Drug Program (part of UCSB’s Student Health) runs its College Alcohol and Substance Education (CASE) Program there. UCSB’s Associated Students (student government) maintains close ties with, involvement in, and funding for I.V. through its Isla Vista Community Relations Commission and the Isla Vista Tenants Union. Both of these organizations are supported by the Isla Vista Community Advisor, a staff member who works for Associated Students.

Isla Vista provides UCSB students with a learning laboratory right in their own backyard. Community service opportunities are available on every street corner. Students can mentor local teens after school at the Isla Vista Teen Center, tutor a second-grader to read at I.V. Elementary School, or wrestle with a policy or funding issue during a board meeting of the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District. UCSB students living in Isla Vista can also enhance their understanding of a political science, sociology, or psychology class while learning how to be a member of a household and a community. Parents are invited to visit and explore the community.

Parents, please help your students enhance their safety and be good citizens of Isla Vista by sharing these safety tips with them if they will live in or frequent Isla Vista.