The 76th Associated Students Senate heard from the newly formed Isla Vista chapter of activist organization Indivisible at its Feb. 11 meeting. The Senate allocated $10,000 of funding to the Isla Vista Community Services District for their initiative to make Isla Vista a city.
The founders of Indivisible I.V. presented during public forum to introduce their newly founded organization. Sherine John / Daily Nexus
Public forum
Indivisible Isla Vista introduced their new chapter in I.V. The presentation was made by Indivisible I.V. President and second-year political science and philosophy double major Tallula Boreman, secretary and second-year geography major Kira Valles-Knoll and second-year political science and philosophy double major Julianna Johnson. The group explained that Indivisible I.V. is an organization that advocates for social justice and human rights by giving students a voice to speak up about issues they believe in.
The chapter’s first demonstration was a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) on Feb. 11. Johnson explained that Indivisible I.V. is working toward recalling Santa Barbara County’s Sheriff and former president of Major County Sheriffs of America, Bill Brown, from his position. Johnson alleged that Brown has failed to make a statement or comply with state law regarding I.C.E. in Santa Barbara.
The group is currently collecting signatures from students to mass-send letters to Brown’s office in Lompoc to demand an official denouncement of I.C.E and to comply with California legislature. The legislature states, per the No Secret Police Act and No Vigilantes Act signed in September 2025, that I.C.E. agents are banned from wearing face coverings and must wear identification while working.
Brown made a public statement regarding the community’s reaction to his response to local I.C.E. activity on Feb. 17.
“With our nation split in half on the issue of immigration enforcement, there is plenty of contention on both sides. Even though we are polarized, we are all part of the same democratic republic. Again, listening to one another is important. Each side has valid points to make, and both sides matter,” Brown’s statement read.
Gohan Huynh, a fourth-year communication and sociology double major and president of UC Santa Barbara’s Speech Forensics team, requested $6,176 for hotel accommodations for the upcoming regional championship competition.
Lastly, Cotlali Sanchez, a third-year biology major and internal vice chair of Raíces de mi Tierra, requested $6,745 to fund a three-day cultural educational festival and conference. Senator and fourth-year history of public policy and law major Vanessa Manakova clarified that the Finance Committee almost fully funded the event and only needs to be reaffirmed by the Office of the External Vice President for Statewide Affairs.
Legislation proposed
Manakova proposed a resolution to establish the Health Education Access Resources and Tools Committee (H.E.A.R.T), a student-led initiative that plans to develop a “centralized digital healthcare resource hub.” The goal is to make healthcare accessible for all UCSB students. The resolution was referred to the Advocacy Committee.
Next, Senator and fourth-year history and global studies double major Neo Harter proposed a bill to create “The Harter-Mirroknian Future Leaders in Governance Fellowship,” which aims to provide opportunities for students interested in politics. The bill was referred to the Executive Committee.
Harter and Senator and fourth-year political science major Keizo Ono proposed a temporary Mobile Food Pantry Pilot program. According to Harter, the program aims to minimize food insecurity in light of the recent government shutdowns by providing free food to UCSB students. A trailer would station around I.V. offering non-perishable foods such as cereal and other boxed food items. The proposal was referred to the Advocacy Committee.
Senator and second-year political science major Evan Sussman proposed a bill to standardize A.S. Departments and Boards, Committees and Units (BCUs). The bill aims to standardize governance practices across all BCUs with the goal of promoting equitable usage of student fees. The bill was referred to the Executive Committee.
Legislation passed
A proposal authored by former Senator Taylor Iden was motioned onto the floor by Senator and third-year economics and philosophy double major Noah Luken. It aimed to cancel the United States Student Association (USSA) lock-in fee. The proposal claims that the USSA has been inactive for around six years.
According to Sussman and Iden, the fee is a “waste of student funds,” as the funds are not currently being used for the USSA’s mission statement. The proposal was adopted, which will request Chancellor Dennis Assanis to cancel the fee.
Funding allocations
The Senate passed a motion to allocate $10,000 to the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), which would use these funds for their I.V. Cityhood Fiscal Analysis Initiative. The initiative will analyze whether it is feasible for I.V. to become an independent city.
Harter stated that he believes students support I.V. becoming an independent city. The Senate noted that the IVCSD wants a total of $25,000 of funding for their initiative.
Additionally, the Senate passed a motion to allocate $2,000 to Speech Forensics at UCSB for their upcoming Spring Championships tournament.
A version of this article appeared on p. 3 of the Feb. 19, 2026 edition of the Daily Nexus.
