Dr. Dennis Assanis Named Next Chancellor of UCSB
Dr. Dennis Assanis has been named the new chancellor of UCSB, according to UC News and UCSB press releases on July 17. He formerly served as the president of the University of Delaware, and his term begins September 1. Executive Vice Chancellor David Marshall had been appointed Interim Chancellor during the search for a replacement. Former Chancellor Yang’s retirement was announced on August 14, 2024. He had served for 31 years.
In a statement from the UC Office of the President, Assanis said, “I am particularly excited about UC Santa Barbara’s exceptional academic reputation, amazing students and boundless potential to be recognized among the top public universities, building on the celebrated achievements of its distinguished faculty and dedicated staff.”
ISLA VISTA
IVCSD Considers Resolution 25-16 Amid ICE Raids, Establishing Judicial Warrant Policy and Showing Support for Undocumented Residents
On August 12, the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors met to discuss Resolution 25-16 which recommended a judicial warrant policy to be established across “non-public areas of District buildings” during ICE raids. This newspaper went into print before the board meeting took place.
111 ICE arrests have been made in Santa Barbara County since January 14, according to the resolution. As a result, there has been a “decreased attendance at community events, reduced utilization of public services, and increased economic and workforce issues, and barriers to educational access.” The resolution outlines employee rights and procedures during and after ICE raids, as well as a guide to interact with ICE agents and verify warrants.
The August 12 agenda report called for the allocation of $10,000 to be split evenly between the immigration service organizations 805 Undocufund and Immigrant Legal Defense Center.
On July 25, the IVCSD posted on Facebook and Instagram resources for undocumented locals including 805 Immigration Coalition, affiliated with 805 Undocufund, a hotline for immigration enforcement situations and to report ICE activity in the area.
COUNTY
Gifford Fire 33 Percent Contained, Cause Still Unknown
The Gifford Fire has been 33 percent contained, according to CAL FIRE, and currently spans over 125,000 acres. Evacuation orders for zones in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County can be found on the CAL FIRE website. The wildfire began August 1 at 3:44 pm on Highway 166 in Santa Maria. Its cause remains under investigation.
STATE
Department of Justice Offers $1 Billion Settlement with UCLA
On August 8, the Department of Justice offered a $1 billion settlement to UC Los Angeles (UCLA) in connection to UCLA’s pro-Palestinian activism and alleged antisemitism and other civil rights violations. Days earlier, the Trump administration froze $584 million in federal funding for UCLA. According to a statement by UC President James B. Milliken, “a payment of this scale would completely devastate our country’s greatest public university system as well as inflict great harm on our students and all Californians.”
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