UC Santa Barbara Associated Students welcomed the incoming executives for the 2026-27 academic year during the quarterly State of the Association event at the Corwin Pavilion on May 19. Student organizations discussed their past and ongoing projects, as well as budget reports. 

The newly elected executives of the 77th A.S. Senate were introduced at the quarterly state of the association meeting. Declan McFarland / Daily Nexus

The newly elected executives were sworn in to their new roles prior to the various updates from Associated Students (A.S.) entities, as well as a speech from the newly elected A.S. Executive Director Sean Lieberman. 

Liberman served as interim executive director but was officially appointed this quarter by the senate and the president. He said during the opening statements, “You’re an impressive bunch, and I am looking forward to working with the next group as well.”

The newly elected executives also introduced themselves and spoke about their goals for the next year. 

Then Chancellor Dennis Assanis addressed the association during the meeting regarding the safety of the community and the need for a positive educational experience. 

“This has been a year with many highs and unfortunately a few lows,” Assanis said. “I want you to know that safety is very important to me and to my administrative team. It is important for us to build a community where safety is our number one priority.”

Assanis also addressed the housing crisis within I.V. and across campus. He highlights the current construction for the San Benito housing project, which began in 2025 and is projected to be completed by fall 2027.

“I came here to solve this problem, hopefully once and for good,” Assanis said. “That is why we are undertaking the building of 3,500 brand new beds at the cost of $1.1 billion. That’s a big price tag, but it’s well worth it. We’re clearly working on that.” 

Following the Chancellor’s comments, A.S. organizations and Boards, Committees and Units (BCUs) presented their budgets and projects to the association. 

The Isla Vista Community Relations Committee (IVCRC) presented on the success of the Pardall Carnival at the beginning of May. The Internal Chair of IVCRC, Rahul Unni Aravindakshan, a fourth-year psychological and brain sciences major, also addressed room to grow in the effects the carnival has on I.V. businesses and adjustments being made for next year’s event. 

A.S. Recycling Member Zach Tanenbaum, a third-year economics and accounting major, presented on successful trash and recycling, including the operation of over 90 recycling and waste bins across campus, as well as the recycling of 225 pounds of shoes. The Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) highlighted their sponsorship and collaboration of UCSB’s first Earth Month celebration.

A.S. Senate Outreach presented the growth of their committee. Noah Luken, a third-year economics and philosophy double major and the previous chair of the Outreach Committee, described what the staff should do for students. 

“The crux of our role and our job as student leaders is to represent the students that we serve that elected us,” Luken said. “So I want to make sure that we as an association and the future leaders of the association are accounting for what the student body actually wants and trying to act on that because it can get lost in the politics of everything.” 

Student Advocate General (S.A.G.) Sydney Bivins, a fourth-year psychological & brain sciences major, presented their ongoing projects among budget uses. The S.A.G. office implemented the use of the app GoGaucho, a mobile and web application developed by the Office of the Student Advocate’s sub-technology committee. There are continuous updates to the app as well as a Recreation Center capacity indicator. 

Finally, outgoing President Le Anh Metzger, fourth-year global studies, communication and Spanish triple major, presented her office’s accomplishments over the quarter and year. 

Metzger met with Comunidad Latinx Graduación (CLG) to discuss long-term funding agreements with the university. She also met with many organizations, staff, BCUs, students, Chancellor Assanis and various other groups during the quarter. 

Metzger is also working with human resources at UCSB to create a cultural communities advisor for A.S. to help undersupported students within the association. She is also continuing conversations about library hours not being reduced. 

With new officials coming into office in A.S., the outgoing president Metzger expressed her confidence in the association. “I can confidently say that the state of the association is the best it’s ever been,” Metzger said.

A version of this article appeared on p. 3 of the May 28 print edition of the Daily Nexus.