A.S. President E.J. Raad summer update

This summer, Associated Students 2026-27 President E.J. Raad staffed his office and prepared for the academic year in which he hopes to expand basic needs, reinstate 24/7 library hours and advocate for students to senior administrators. 

As president, Raad is responsible for serving as the official Associated Students (A.S.) representative to all entities and making all Boards, Committees and Units (BCU) appointments, among other duties. 

Raad, a fourth-year political science major, previously served as the A.S. 2025-26 External Vice President of Local Affairs (EVPLA), acting as the liaison between students and governing bodies in Isla Vista and Santa Barbara. Raad noted the transition to the A.S. presidency has come with a broader scope of responsibilities; now he not only manages his own office, but manages his cabinet and makes association-wide appointments. 

Raad also noted having more communication with senior administration as president, including with Chancellor Dennis Assanis. Despite the role change, Raad believes his prior executive experience has made the transition manageable.

One of Raad’s main goals this year is to continue advocating for the restoration of 24/7 library hours, a persisting struggle from last year. On Sept. 4, 2025 the UC Santa Barbara Library announced that it would be reducing its hours, no longer providing around-the-clock access to students. A.S. was able to fund extended hours, which Raad said will continue this year via Give Day donations. While Raad highlighted the work A.S. has done to extend library hours, he hopes to continue negotiations with administration until the Library is open 24/7 again. 

Raad also announced his new initiative “EBT Everywhere” which aims to expand the amount of on-campus food vendors who accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). He said that currently The Arbor is the only University-owned vendor to accept EBT payment, but aims to get Coral Tree Cafe, The Store at Buchanan and Summit Cafe EBT certified to expand affordable food options for students. 

“I think it’ll just make so many students’ lives so much easier to be able to have more access to using your CalFresh on campus. I’m really excited about that,” Raad said. 

As EVPLA, Raad’s communication with local law enforcement was primarily with the I.V. Foot Patrol (IVFP), who has jurisdiction over the unincorporated area. Now, Raad is tasked with communication with the UCSB Police Department (UCPD), but he hopes to continue communication with IVFP while supporting the current EVPLA: fourth-year philosophy and economics double major Noah Luken. Raad said he is committed to giving the other executive offices autonomy. 

Raad is currently working on new safety measures with UCPD, specifically regarding the area around the lagoon. He hopes to continue supporting ongoing initiatives to install lights in the area. 

Additionally, Raad hopes to foster collaboration with the other executive offices and support them any way he can. He will continue to partner with the Student Advocate General and the External Vice President for Statewide Affairs to host the “Protect Your Peers” week, an initiative that began last year to educate the campus on resources for undocumented students. 

During campaigning, Raad promised to not increase the A.S. base student fee during his term, but on top of that he hopes to lay the groundwork to eventually lower the fee by reinvesting student fees and generating revenue. His office is currently working on a merch design contest to start selling A.S. merchandise. Raad also mentioned the idea of an A.S.-run coffee cart on campus. 

To expand A.S. outreach, Raad hopes to centralize A.S. social media to make it easier for BCUs and other A.S. entities to promote their events on the main A.S. Instagram account. 

Raad also has plans to continue hosting events raising money for local charities and non-profit organizations, like the charity basketball game he hosted last year raising funds for 805UndocuFund. 

Ultimately, Raad hopes to continue building trust between A.S. and the student body by providing resources and proving to students that their fees are being used in their best interests. 

“I’m of the opinion that the best way to improve A.S.’s reputation is just to do good work, to provide good services and provide good events that students care about and they want to go to,” Raad said. “That should be the entire mission of us as an organization.”

A version of this article appeared on p. 3 of the October 1 print edition of the Daily Nexus.