Save Student Services!

Image of the "Save Student Servives!" Logo (yellow background and black text).

Voting Will Be Open April 20-23, 2026.

What does it mean to “Save Student Services”?
• Many student fees were approved 20 years ago and have never adjusted for inflation. Because of this, there is a gap in the fees’ buying power, which is what your dollar actually gets you. The same dollar amount from 2006 buys significantly fewer student services in 2026.
• Our student fees have stagnated. In order to “Save Student Services,” the fees need to catch up to today’s economic reality and restore their original buying power.

Which student fees will be affected?
• The affected fees support the heart of our campus—from student programs and wellness services to the facilities you use every day. Services include Recreation, Student Health, SEAL, the UCEN, EOP, Health & Wellness, the MCC, CAPS, Daily Nexus, Career Services, and more.

How is the inflation adjustment calculated & when will it go into effect?
• Fees won't just catch up, they will stay caught up. After the initial increase in Fall 2026, a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will be assessed annually starting in Fall 2027.
• COLA is calculated based on the US Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index. Using this official inflation data ensures that fees only adjust when inflation takes place and protects against future buying power gaps.

What does Return to Aid (RTA) mean?
• Return to Aid (RTA) will increase the financial aid pool that supports our highest-need peers. This is a critical safeguard for affordability.
• If the measures pass, 25% of the total fees collected will automatically be set aside for UCSB grants and scholarships to fully cover the fee cost for students with high financial need.

I’m a graduating senior and I won’t be at UCSB next year, why should I vote?
• Just like students who have come before you, you have the chance to leave a legacy at UCSB and ensure that future students have the same access to services and resources that you have had. Your vote matters!

I see some departments/services on the ballot twice. Why is that?
• All current fees are up for reaffirmation every four years. This allows the next generation of students to have a chance to vote on what is important to them.
• The fees you see listed twice on the ballot are both up for reaffirmation AND they are part of the Save Student Services initiative to catch up with inflation. You should vote on both.