Several departments at UC Santa Barbara hosted the Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 29 with food, boba, crafts and games in the MultiCultural Center Lounge. With over 230 RSVPs and a line going out the door, this year’s event had a significant turnout.

Attendees cheerfully chattered beneath red and white paper lanterns, creating origami stars. Tillie Rubin / Daily Nexus

UCSB’s Department of Asian American Studies, the Academic Research Consortium, Educational Opportunity Program and Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity hosted the event in commemoration of the Year of the Snake. 

Attendees chatted and had food and drinks beneath red and white paper lanterns as they entered to win a raffle with gift card prizes. Students also created origami stars that will be strung together as a community garland to be displayed in the Department of Asian American Studies or the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies.

“The act of making [stars] while talking and being with everyone while celebrating this cultural holiday brings community together,” co-peer advisor for the Asian American Studies department and fourth-year Asian American studies and sociology major LyLy Colebourn said. 

In the shadow of the Trump administration pulling funding from public institutions that continue diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, some college campuses around the country, such as Michigan State University, canceled their Lunar New Year celebrations. 

However, UCSB did not follow suit in canceling its observance of the holiday. The university’s decision to maintain its celebration was shaped by a variety of factors, including the recognition of Lunar New Year as an important cultural tradition for many students and faculty. 

“You are always kind of searching for a community, you are searching for people like you to feel at home and feel comfortable and that warmth from. It was nice to hear that and create an event that allows students to get that feeling,” co-peer advisor for the department and fourth-year Asian American studies and global studies double major Elyse Denzler said.

The celebration seemed to be especially meaningful for students who typically celebrate Lunar New Year with their families.

“My family celebrates the Lunar New Year with red envelopes. We have a bunch of Filipino food and eat together. It’s time for us to come together and connect,” first-year biology major Essence Tibbs said.

Peer advisor at the Asian Resource Center and fourth-year history and French double major Max Yim spoke about the broader significance of hosting such events. He explained that it was crucial to raise awareness about the Lunar New Year’s cultural and historical importance worldwide. 

“Different cultures celebrate the New Year at different times, observing various traditions,” Yim said. 

Attendees noted the space helped students reconnect with their heritage and foster a sense of belonging. 

“People are talking, mingling and eating and that’s what Lunar New Year celebrations are all about,” Denzler said.