The 76th Associated Students Senate formally condemned antisemitism, proposed constitutional amendments to its legal code and received a report on association spending at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Lala requested that Assanis consider granting voting rights to the undergraduate and graduate student representative on the student fee advisory committee. Sherine John / Daily Nexus
Legislation passed
The Senate adopted a resolution condemning antisemitism, brought by Senator and fourth-year history and global studies double major Neo Harter. The resolution was written in response to an incident of antisemitic vandalism in Isla Vista on Jan. 10.
“The Associated Students Senate at UCSB is committed to upholding the rights of all students to study and live in a safe environment – free of fear or hatred,” the resolution reads.
Next, the Senate adopted a bill that will establish the Associated Students Isla Vista Tenants Union (IVTU) and the Finance Committee Joint Rent Support Program, brought by Senator and second-year chemistry major Nadine Malhis. The program will extend the existing IVTU rent support program that provides students facing financial hardship with a maximum of $2,500 a quarter in rent support.
Legislation proposed
Senator and fourth-year history of policy, law and governance major Yuchang Jiang presented a resolution that would introduce an Associated Students (A.S.) legal code amendment to democratize the Boards, Committees and Units (BCU) proposal process. This amendment will be voted on in the spring election if adopted.
The amendment states that any BCU that wants to propose a new lock-in fee will need to obtain 2,000 undergraduate signatures or 1,000 signatures for a non-lock-in fee proposal. The signatures must be obtained with an electronic system administered by A.S. staff.
Public forum
California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) member and second-year political science major Alex Borgas said that the group has obtained around 700 new pledges during its ongoing pledge drive. According to Borgas, CALPIRG must maintain 15% of the student population pledged to the program to remain on the campus. The group funds its campaigns through $10 quarterly pledges from members.
Reports
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzanne Perkin addressed questions and concerns about the Save Student Services fee initiative and its petitioning process.
Several senators expressed concern over reports of students who were petitioning for the fee initiative and were giving out snacks and other prizes as an incentive to sign the petition, which is not allowed by the A.S. elections board. Perkin clarified that Student Affairs is not under the jurisdiction of the elections board, and it is acceptable to hand out treats and prizes if everyone is allowed to have one, not only the students who sign the petition.
The Senate also raised concerns that the students and staff petitioning were allegedly getting paid for their service. Perkin responded that many of the students who are petitioning are employees of student services and it is reasonable that they get paid for any work they do when they are on the clock.
Next, Chief of Staff for the A.S. Office of the Internal Vice President (IVP) and second-year comparative literature major Casey Carnow gave updates on the San Benito Housing Project and the East Campus Housing project. Carnow announced that the University is currently scheduling tours of mock-up San Benito apartment units.
According to Carnow, the East Campus Housing project will begin construction after the demolition of Santa Rosa Residence Hall and Ortega Dining Commons, which is planned for the summer of 2026. Ortega will be reconstructed on the bottom floor of a new residence hall and will be temporarily relocated to a tent on the Anacapa Residence Hall lawn during construction.
Carnow also said that students will no longer be able to self-select dorm rooms and rising second-year students will be able to select university apartments on their housing application.
IVP and fourth-year history and global studies double major Enri Lala recounted his recent conversation with Chancellor Dennis Assanis. Lala requested that Assanis consider granting voting rights to the undergraduate and graduate student representatives on the student fee advisory committee.
Lala also reported that Assanis is interested in implementing a whole-class commencement ceremony on the chemistry lawn in addition to the existing college and department ceremonies.
Lala encouraged other senators to continue to advocate for increased student housing and not let ideas, such as transforming the Centennial House into student housing, remain as messaging, but to take tangible action.
Next, Chief Compliance Officer and third-year political science and philosophy double major Baden Rosales and Compliance Officer and third-year economics and accounting major Paul Siripintu reported on association spending and budget. The report was designed to look at how much money A.S. entities allocate for internal spending and other expenditures, versus external spending that goes directly back to the student body, which varies from entity to entity.
Lastly, International Senator and second-year mechanical engineering major Qhawe Manala gave his resignation from the Senate.
A version of this article appeared on p. 3 of the Feb. 5 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
