Us versus them: How the ILP Wall has divided UCSB

UC Santa Barbara students don’t remember where they were when the wall went up, but they certainly remember the first time they saw it. The Interactive Learning Pavilion Wall, a barricade stretching from the Music Building bike racks all the way to the bike path behind the library, has become a defining feature of the new academic year, with societal changes already becoming apparent. 

The wall, which is an alleged placeholder for the highly anticipated new bike path between the library and the Interactive Learning Pavilion (ILP), was constructed overnight, and has since disrupted bike flow, with far-reaching consequences. Students have been ruthlessly divided, with friend groups and study groups alike being broken apart by this physical barrier. 

Carla Neumayer, a first-year earth science major and resident of the Santa Catalina Residence Hall, shared how the ILP Wall has altered the course of her life. 

“I haven’t been able to visit my friend in Santa Cruz since the wall was put up. I feel our ties of friendship beginning to fray due to our separation,” Neumayer said. 

Alice Mann, a fourth year art major, was similarly impacted, although she had a different take. 

“Forget not being able to visit my friends, I haven’t been able to go to my lectures because the ILP Wall is blocking all the entrances,” Mann commented. 

The students on the east side of the wall, with access to Goleta and the greater Santa Barbara area have become more worldly, boldly exploring areas outside of UCSB and enjoying wider cultural experiences. The students on the west side of the wall, however, haven’t been so lucky. 

These students have been grossly neglected by the UCSB administration and, being inaccessible from all main roads, have begun to suffer from resource shortages. 

Hubert Fat, a first-year economics major stuck on the west side of the wall, was very eager to share his experience. 

“The only place I can eat is DLG! Ortega and all the places at the UCEN were closed when the wall went up, so none of the employees have been able to return to work. I’m starving! I can’t eat any more taco pizza or those freaky fish cakes,” Fat complained. 

Students on the east side have tried to provide some relief packages, which contain essentials such as liquor shooters, Target giftcards and Rocky Horror Picture Show flyers. These have reportedly all been confiscated by resident assistants of various freshmen dorms, most likely for their own personal use. 

Unsurprisingly, there have been reports that despite this major change to the UCSB infrastructure, Snag deliveries have continued to make it across the wall without any delays. 

 Serrano Ham doesn’t know the difference between east and west.