The Nexus compiled a list of UCSB resources available for students of marginalized backgrounds as the campus community prepares for Fall Quarter 2022. The following resources are categorized into resources for non-men, non-white, first generation and LGBTQIA+ UC Santa Barbara students. Each community’s resource list is separated into services and centers from UC Santa Barbara, campus student organizations, housing options and academic options and resources.
Disclaimer: This is not the complete, exhaustive list of all on-campus resources available to all marginalized students at UCSB. Please email news@dailynexus.com if there are any additional resources to include in this article.
This is not the complete, exhaustive list of all on-campus resources available to all marginalized students at UCSB. Ruhika Nandy / Daily Nexus
GENERAL RESOURCES
The following is a list of general resources for all marginalized students at UCSB:
UCSB Office of Financial Aid: provides students with financial resources and services like scholarships, grants, loans and more.
Education Opportunity Program: an organization that provides support and education for students of all backgrounds and cultures.
Associated Students: a UCSB campus department that provides direct resources to students through undergraduate student fees.
Food Security and Basic Needs: a list of resources for food security and basic needs that students can utilize at UCSB and in the greater community.
The LGBTQIA+ Community
On-Campus Centers and Services
The primary resource for students of the LGBTQIA+ community is the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD) — UCSB’s LGBTQIA+ center that is located on the third floor of the Student Resource Building.
The center offers a plethora of resources, from education on different identities within the community like bisexuality, asexuality, intersex and being transgender and nonbinary, to seminars and events open to all UCSB students like Bi Us For Us, Trans Empowerment Hours and IdentiTeas. RCSGD also provides a lounge for students to study and socialize in, free safer sex and menstruation supplies and more.
UCSB’s Student Health Services also offers LGBTQIA+ care services. Transgender Health Care provides “gender-affirming services,” including gender-affirming hormone therapy and estrogen and testosterone blockers. No letter of recommendation is required to start hormone therapy at UCSB.
Group counseling services — like TRANSformative and True Selves — are available at UCSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services.Student Health also provides a list of LGBTQIA+ resources both on campus and online: for example, Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Student Organizations
The following is a list of the LGBTQIA+ student organizations on campus:
Associated Students Trans and Queer Commission: a group that advocates and provides for transgender and queer communities.
oSTEM Santa Barbara: a UCSB organization that aims to support LGBTQIA+ students pursuing STEM fields.
La Familia de Colores: a UCSB queer and transgender organization for Latinx students.
Keshet at UCSB: a LGBTQIA+ club for Jewish students at UCSB.
LGBTQIA+ Staff & Faculty Collective: a community of LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at UCSB.
Queer and Trans Graduate Student Union: a space for queer and transgender graduate students at UCSB.
UCSB Black Quare: an organization for LGBTQIA+ Black and African students at UCSB.
FUQIT UCSB: a group under RCSGD of undergraduate LGBTQIA+ students.
Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islanders: a campus organization that gives space for queer Asian and/or Pacific Islander students.
UCSB undocuQueer UndocuTrans: a collective that works to support undocumented students who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Housing
The following options are available for those looking for LGBTQIA+ student focused housing: The Rainbow House at Manzanita Village, Lavender Living at Santa Ynez, the Gender Inclusive Floor of San Nicolas Residence Hall, the Sex and Gender Expansive community for students with gender identities beyond the traditional binary at San Nicolas residence Hall and the Newman House of the Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative.
Academics
UCSB offers a LGBTQ+ Studies minor and its requirements are listed here. The following is a list of courses not listed in the requirements for the minor that still cover topics around the LGBTQIA+ community:
- FEMST 117C: Women, The Family, and Sexuality in the Middle Ages
- FEMST 161: The Social Construction of Sexuality
- FEMST 162: Queer Theory
- ASAM 135: Asian American Queer Issues
- BLST 151: Gender, Sexuality and African Cinema
- HIST 124C: Sex, Gender and Settler Colonialism
- SOC 118QC: Queer Communities of Color in Digital and Traditional Media
- SOC 159M: Sociology of Men and Masculinities
- RGST 110L: LGBT Religious History: Queering the Spirit
Other/Miscellaneous Resources
The following map provides the locations of every gender neutral bathroom on UCSB’s campus and in the neighboring college town of Isla Vista. Students can also access UCSB’s LGBTQIA+ Community Resource Guide for more information on resources.
Black/African Student Community
On Campus Centers and Services
Black and African students at UCSB can utilize the following entities within UCSB’s departments:
Office of Black Student Development: an office of eight staff members housed in the Student Resource Building working to support the education and learning environment of Black undergraduate and graduate students.
Black Resource Committee: a campus taskforce that works with the Black Student Union to identify opportunities and deficits in the academic progress for Black students.
African Diasporic Cultural Resource Center: a center that educates and encourages interaction and dialogue in the African Diaspora, focusing on academics, culture, leadership, social involvement and civic engagement.
Center for Black Studies Research: a center that supports interdisciplinary research on the African Diaspora and community engagement.
Black Student Engagement Program: a student-led initiative of the Black Resource Committee that connects Black students to resources and support.
Campus Student Organizations
The following is the list of Black and African student organizations on campus:
Black Student Union: an organization that unifies students of the African diaspora to create a safe space and supportive community. BSU puts out a [weekly/monthly/ etc] newsletter called Blackwatch.
UCSB Black Grad Student Union: a community and safe space for Black graduate students at UCSB.
National Society of Black Engineers: a group that works to increase the number of Black engineers and scientists at UCSB.
Black Pioneer Renaissance Organization: a Black men’s support group on campus.
Black Reign: a Black hip-hop dance team established in 1998 on campus.
Black Women’s Health Collaborative: an educational advocacy forum that works to distribute financial resources for Black non-men students.
East African Student Association: an organization that advocates for UCSB’s Black community and works to unify the students of the East African diaspora.
Nigeria Student Association: an organization that works to create a community of Nigerian students at UCSB and connect those interested in learning about the culture of Nigeria.
ucsbBlack!: a space for Black faculty and staff to build community on campus.
Red Jooce Project: a Black student led project that supports mutual aid efforts and expresses joy through art, culture and music.
HOUSING
UCSB offers one housing option for Black students, called the Black Scholars Hall, at Santa Rosa Residence Hall and San Joaquin Villages.
ACADEMICS
UCSB offers a Black Studies major and minor, both of which require a variety of courses within the Black studies department from courses in cultural studies to gender and sexuality. The full list of courses from the Black Studies department is listed here.
INDIGENOUS/NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT COMMUNITY
ON-CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
The primary center for resources and support Indigenous students at UCSB can utilize is the American Indian and Indigenous Cultural Resource Center, which works to assist the academic, cultural, leadership, social and civic progress of Indigenous students and provides guidance in the community’s holistic development.
“The AIICRC strives to assist in the holistic development of American Indian & Indigenous (AI&I) students by hosting and supporting programming that focus on several areas: academic excellence, cultural awareness, leadership development, social involvement, and proactive civic engagement,” the center’s mission statement read.
There also is a department for American Indian Student Support Services, which directly supports Native American students with retention programs, scholarship and research opportunities, and support on general higher education, professional development and career planning.
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of campus student organizations that work to provide space, community and support for Indigenous and Native American students.
American Indian and Indigenous Arts Collaborative: an organization that works to celebrate, create and educate about native art throughout history and the present.
American Indian &Indigenous Gardens Alliance: a group that promotes health and wellness through growing native and indigenous plants.
American Indian and Indigenous Student Association: a student organization that works to promote cultural awareness and provide connections and community for UCSB’s American Indian students.
Collective of Pueblos Originarios in Diaspora: a collective that works to reclaim the identities of the Indigenous students of Latin America.
Mauna Kea Protectors: a community of students that supports the protectors of Mauna Kea and calls for UCSB to divest from the Thirty Meter Telescope project.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science : the UCSB undergraduate chapter of a national organization that encourages Chicano, Hispanic, and Native American students to pursue higher education in STEM fields.
Society for Advancement of Chicanxs/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Graduate Student Chapter: the graduate student chapter of SACNAS.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society: an organization that provides peer support, workshops, financial assistance and career and professional guidance for Native American students pursuing the science and engineering fields.
American Indian and Indigenous Collective Research Focus Group: a collective created by those in UCSB’s Indigenous community to build research relationships between different academic departments and projects regarding issues within Indigenous communities globally.
American Indian and Indigenous Collective Academic Council, an organization formed by the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program to provide leadership on all academic matters related to the department and advocate for Indigenous students’ needs.
HOUSING
UCSB has the Native Scholars House at Manzanita Village as a space that provides community and support for Native American and Indigenous students as they navigate university life.
ACADEMICS
UCSB offers an American Indian and Indigenous Studies minor, and its requirements are listed here. The following is a list of other courses offered that cover topics about the Indigenous community that are not listed in the minor’s requirements:
- RGST 14: Introduction to Native American Religious Studies
- RGST 191A: Latino Religious Thought
- ENGL 34NA: Animacy and Speaking Earth – The Power of Native Story
AAPI STUDENT RESOURCES
ON-CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
There are two primary centers within the Educational Opportunity Program for the AAPI community — the Asian Resource Center and Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian Resource Center.
“The mission of the Asian Resource Center (ARC) is to educate, promote, and encourage the interaction and dialogue among the diverse ethnic groups within the Asian American community at UCSB,” the Asian Resource Center’s mission statement read.
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of student campus organizations that provide space and support for students in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Asian American Christian Fellowship: an organization that fosters a community of Asian American Christians and educates others about Christianity.
UCSB Chinese Student and Scholar Association (CSSA) International Cultural Exchang: the UCSB branch of CSSA that works to spread international understanding on Chinese culture.
Chinese Student Association: an organization that provides networking opportunities for students and promotes cultural awareness of the Chinese community.
Hong Kong Student Association: a group that promotes Cantonese and Hong Kong culture through social bonding events.
Laorana Te Otea: a dancing club that focuses on Polynesian dance and drumming at UCSB.
Burmese Student Association: a student organization established to promote awareness of Burmese culture and create community on UCSB’s campus.
Indus: a South Asian club that promotes cultural awareness and creates community through social events.
International Student Association: a student organization that provides community within international students.
Japanese Student Association: an organization that raises awareness of Japanese culture and language through events and activities.
Jasmine Echo: a club that focuses on traditional Chinese instrumental music.
Kapatirang Pilipino: a mass organization that encourages political involvement, cultural awareness about the UCSB Filipino American community and academic progress at UCSB.
Korean Student Association: an organization that celebrates and spreads awareness on the Korean community at UCSB.
Korean American Student Association: UCSB’s multicultural organization that works to connect students in the Korean American community at UCSB and provides community for the campus community.
Nikkei Student Union: UCSB’s Japanese American social and cultural organization that promotes awareness of Japanese American culture and fosters community through social bonding events.
Pacific Islander Student Association: an organization that serves the interests of the Pacific Islander community at UCSB.
Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islanders: a group that provides a safe space for Queer Asian and Pacific Islander students at UCSB.
SS805: a dance team that focuses on creating dance covers to K-pop music at UCSB.
Seoul’d Out: UCSB’s second collegiate K-pop organization.
Southeast Asian Union: an organization that creates space for students to learn about the Southeast Asian American community.
Taiwanese Student Association: a non-profit, student organization that promotes and celebrates Taiwanese culture.
Taiwanese American Student Association: a social and cultural organization that brings together a community of Taiwanese Americans and anyone interested in Taiwanese culture.
Vietnamese Student Association: an organization that preserves and shares the Vietnamese heritage to the campus community.
Ravaani at UCSB: an award-winning team that focuses on South Asian fusion a cappella.
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers: a non-profit dedicated to supporting Asian students in their pursuit of careers in science and engineering.
In Between: the UCSB chapter of In Between National that unites and supports students in between Asian and American culture.
RaaSBindaas at UCSB: a dance team at UCSB that focuses on Raas/Garba, a genre of Gujarati folk dance.
UCSB Taara: an all-female Bollywood fusion dance team on campus.
Filipinx Association for Health Careers: an organization that provides professional development and academic resources for Filipinx students pursuing healthcare at UCSB.
Indian Association @ UCSB: a South Asian culture group that spreads the culture of India and South Asian as a whole through virtual and in-person events.
HOUSING
There is one housing option for AAPI students looking to be housed in a Living and Learning Community: the APIDA Scholars Hall at Anacapa Residence Hall and the Santa Ynez Apartments.
ACADEMICS
UCSB offers an Asian American Studies major and minor, along with a Chinese major and a Chinese major on a high proficiency track, Japanese major and a Japanese major on a high proficiency track, Chinese minor and Japanese minor. A full list of Asian American Studies courses is available here, and the full list of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies courses are available here.
CHICANX/LATINX STUDENT RESOURCES
ON-CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
As a Hispanic serving institution, UCSB offers multiple centers that create space for Chicanx/Latinx students on campus. The primary resource from EOP is the Chicanx/Latinx Cultural Resource Center, which serves to “educate and unify” the Chicanx/Latinx community at UCSB through art, language, dialogue and more, according to its website.
“The Chicanx/Latinx Cultural Resource Center (CLCRC) provides a culturally enriched environment where students, faculty, and staff of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds can learn about a diverse culture,” its mission statement read.
Opening New Doors to Accelerating Success (ONDAS) Student Center is another entity for Chicanx/Latinx students, an entity funded by the Department of Education Title V Hispanic Serving Institution grant that supports the academic success of UCSB’s first generation students, especially freshmen and transfer students, as well as faculty professional development.
UCSB also offers financial aid through its Dream Scholars program for undocumented students who are ineligible for standard financial aid options like subsidized or unsubsidized loans. For undocumented students looking for general support, Undocumented Student Services offers programs, services and resources to provide equal opportunity for undocumented students at UCSB.
For those looking for community, El Centro de UCSB provides space to create community and bondship through recreational, social activities. Finally, the Las Maestras Center has a multi-disciplinary programming that blends the arts into education to help return students to their cultures and roots through the creative process.
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of the Chicanx/Latinx serving student organizations on campus:
Brazilian Student Association (BRASA UCSB): an organization that creates space for Brazilian students and for those interested in learning about Brazilian culture.
Comunidad Latinx Graduación (CLG): a student-run organization that funds its own graduation that accommodates and serves its Chicanx/Latinx community through Spanish translation, CLG sashes, cultural entertainment and more.
Destino: a religious organization that unifies Latinx Christian students at UCSB.
El congreso de UCSB: an activist organization that advocates to empower marginalized students and create community for the Latinx community through events like their annual Latinx College Day.
Hermanas Unidas de UCSB: a female-oriented campus organization that provides leadership opportunities and resources for Chicanx/Latinx students through academics, community service, and professional networking.
Hermanos Unidos: a male-oriented campus organization that uplifts Chicanx/Latinx students through academic scholarship, social interaction and community service.
Latino Business Association: a group interested in supporting Latinx students pursuing careers in Business and that is a part of the Larger Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Los ingenieros: the UCSB chapter of the larger Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Latinos in Science and Engineering (SHPE-MAES) that works to advocate for and support Latinx and other underrepresented students pursuing careers in STEM.
Making adventures possible for all students (MAPAS): a social organization that creates outdoor recreational opportunities for Chicanx/Latinx and other underrepresented students.
Mujeres unidas por justicia, educación y revolutción (MUJER): a support group and activist organization that advocates for Chicanx/Latinx women and promotes gender awareness within the Chicanx/Latinx community on campus.
Salsa bachata kizomba club at UCSB : a performing arts organization that fosters a social environment for students to practice salsa, bachata and kizomba styles of dance.
Society for advancement of chicanos and native americans in science: the UCSB chapter of the larger National SACNAS organization that supports Chicanx, Hispanic and Native American students pursuing STEM.
Latina/o UCSB Network Association : a group that unifies UCSB’s faculty and staff who work toward the advancement and well-being of Latinx students on campus.
La familia de colores: UCSB primary Queer and Trans Latinx organization that creates community for Latinx/Chicanx LGBTQIA+ students on campus.
Los curanderos: UCSB’s pre-health organization that serves Latinx/Chicanx students on campus.
La escuelita: a non-profit that advocates for higher education for young Latinx/Chicanx students in the Isla Vista and Goleta community since 1969.
Raices de mi tierra: a folklorico group that educates and enriches students on Mexican culture through dance.
undocuQueer UndocuTrans Collective: an organization that supports students at the intersection of being undocumented and being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
HOUSING OPTIONS
There is one housing option that is an LLC for Chicanx/Latinx students — the Chicanx/Latinx Scholars hall at Santa Cruz Residence Hall and San Joaquin Apartments.
ACADEMICS
UCSB offers a Chicana and Chicano Studies major, and its requirements are listed here.
MIDDLE EAST/ARAB STUDENT RESOURCES
ON CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
There are two cultural resource centers that serve Middle Eastern and Arab students: the Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian Resource Center (MENASA) and the Middle Eastern Cultural Resource center, both of which provide support and community for Middle Eastern students at UCSB.
Through its events and programming, the MENASARC works to support students’ embrace of their cultural identities, integration into student life, appreciation for diversity, and commitment to principles of leadership, achievement, collaboration, excellence, and community,” MENASA coordinator Ashkon Molaei said in a statement.
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of student organizations that provide support, guidance, community and more for the Middle Eastern and Arab student community at UCSB.
Persian Student Group: a student organization that hosts Pesian social and cultural activities, educates students on Iranian culture and creates a community for Persian students and those interested in Persian culture and history.
Student for Justice in Palestine at UCSB: a group of students that work toward the justice and the recognition of rights for the residents of Palestine.
Arab Student Group: a club that provides a safe space for UCSB students, staff and faculty of Arab descent, as well as allies.
Armenian Student Association: a club that educates students on Armenian culture, traditions, heritage and more.
Iranian Graduate Student Association: an organization that serves Iranian graduate students and post-doctoral researchers and lecturers at UCSB through social events, cultural activities that appreciate Iranian culture and providing resources.
Iranian Jewish Student Association: a club that creates community for UCSB students of Mizrahi, Middle Eastern and/or Persian Jewish descent.
Lebanese Social Club: a professional, academic and social organization for Lebanese students and those interested in learning about Lebanese culture.
Muslim Student Association: an organization that creates a safe space for Muslim students at UCSB through prayer spaces, social events and more.
Salaam: a group that provides space for students of Middle Eastern descent to engage in faith and scripture.
Students Supporting Israel: the UCSB chapter of the greater Student Supporting Israel organization that is a pro-Israel campus movement. ACADEMICS
UCSB offers a Middle East Studies major and an Iranian Studies minor, and the requirements for both can be found here and here respectively.
JEWISH STUDENT RESOURCES
Chabad at UCSB: a religious organization that provides a safe space for Jewish students at UCSB through weekly Shabbat dinners and other social events.
Santa Barbara Hillel: a nonprofit student life organization that creates a safe space for Jewish students at UCSB and in the greater I.V. community.
WOMEN’S RESOURCES
ON-CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
UCSB offers the following resources to female-identifying students on campus:
Women’s Center: UCSB’s primary organization that provides education and information on women’s issues, feminism, healthy masculinities, gender and social equity.
Wellness Vending Machine: a vending machine operated by the Women’s Center that provides wellness products like Plan B, tampons, pregnancy tests and more.
Women, Gender & Sexual Equity: a department that supports UCSB students, faculty and staff who identify as women or non-men.
CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following is a list of campus organizations that support the women of UCSB’s campus community:
Alliance of Women in Media Arts and Sciences: an organization that empowers women pursuing careers in the arts, sciences and technology.
American Medical Women’s Association: a professional organization that fosters support for women in the science and medical profession and provides education on women’s health issues.
Her Campus UCSB: a UCSB branch of HerCampus.com, which is an online magazine for college women in UCSB.
Period Chapter at UCSB: an organization that works to get free menstrual hygiene products in every women’s and gender neutral restroom on campus.
SexInfo at UCSB: a group that provides resources pertaining to gender and sex and engage to activism around gender and sexual health advocacy.
UCSB Feminist Collective: a feminist organization that advocates on education, visibility and solidarity.
HOUSING
Women-identifying students at UCSB can be housed in the Women in STEM LLC at Manzanita Village if looking for a space dedicated to women pursuing STEM.
FIRST GENERATION RESOURCES
ON-CAMPUS CENTERS AND SERVICES
The following is a list of resources from UCSB that first-generation students can utilize:
First-Generation Community website: which compiles an extensive list of resources and services available for first-generation students at UCSB.
McNair Scholars Program: a program that prepares first generation, low-income and other underrepresented undergraduate students to enter graduate programs through research, courses, seminars, workshops, projects and more.
Promise Scholars Program: a financial aid and support program that empowers first-generation students from low-income households with $120,000 in grants and scholarships to first-year students over four years and $60,000 to transfer students over two years.
Campus Learning Assistance Services: a service that helps students with their course material through group instruction, individual tutoring and general skills training.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Disabled Student Program (DSP): lists the services, accommodations and more that students with temporary and permanent disabilities can utilize on campus.
DSP Service Portal: provides access to applications, documents, services and accomodations like note taking services, exam accommodations and transcript resources.
Commission on Disability Equality: an A.S. organization that empowers students in the disability community and through emotional and hands-on support, educational opportunities and peer mentorship.
NON-TRADITIONAL RESOURCES
The following is a list of centers, resources and more from UCSB for non-traditional students, including transfer students, student parents, students with disabilities and more.
Non-Traditional Student Resource Center: the primary source of information, resources and support for non-traditional students at UCSB.
Gaucho Underground Scholars: a campus organization that supports formerly incarcerated and prison-impacted students through peer-driven guidance, events and more.
Transfer Student Center: provides space for students who have transferred to UCSB through community events, academic advising, peer mentors and more.
Associated Students Emergency Loans: a short-term emergency loan that all registered undergraduate students can request through the A.S. office. The loan is interest-free and may not exceed $600.00 per academic quarter.
Lactation Support Program: a program that provides support to UCSB community members in need of resources to breastfeed or wish to have a private space to do so, including a list of all lactation room locations on campus.
Early Childhood Care & Education Services: an early education, all-year and full day program that serves the children and families of UCSB’s community.
A.S. Childcare Grant Form: provides grants to UCSB undergraduate students with a dependent.
Graduate Student Childcare Grant: provides grants to UCSB graduate students with a dependent.
Veterans and Military Services: UCSB’s support center for veteran and military students at UCSB that provides financial aid and more. More information on financial aid for veteran students can be found here.
Family Housing is also available at UCSB through one and two bedroom single-family units at the Storke and West Campus apartments, which can be rented on a month-to-month basis.
