CAMPUS
Third year political science major and Sierra Madre President Victor Garcia spoke to the Associated Students Senate during the public forum of their Wed., Jan. 27 meeting. Garcia showed his support for the creation of a transfer senator, stating that “60 percent of Sierra Madre [residents] are transfers” and, given the University of California’s push to make each campus 32 percent transfers, there should be an increase in resources and support for new students.
The Black Student Union at the University of California, Irvine is calling for the dismantling of the campus police force, citing growing anti-black sentiment within campus law enforcement. In a letter to campus administration, the group demanded that UCIPD be abolished in three to six months. The group claims that UCIPD has failed to address the safety concerns of black students on campus. The university has said it has no intention of dismantling the police force.
ISLA VISTA
The University of California, Santa Barbara is in the process of purchasing the property located at 910 Embarcadero del Norte in Isla Vista, according to the Santa Barbara Independent. Home to Dublin’s Sports Grill, tattoo shop Precious Slut and IV Menus, the future of the current tenants is uncertain. When asked about the university’s plans for the property, UCSB Acting Director of News and Media Relations Andrea Estrada said, “[I]t is too early in the process for us to comment on the purchase of the property.” This potential purchase reverberates UCSB’s interest in IV real estate, and comes months after the university’s $156 million purchase of the Tropicana Apartments.
IV residents experienced power outages the night of Sun., Jan. 31, as high winds ravaged the Santa Barbara area. Power lines were broken along Embarcadero Del Mar, according to SB County Fire Dispatch. Flood warnings were issued in areas of Santa Barbara County, while residents were warned of “tornado-like 50 mph gusts,” according to the Santa Barbara Independent.
IV stakeholders met on Tues., Jan. 26 to discuss what message they should take to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). During the meeting, attendees tried to prioritize the services they would want implemented if a Community Services District (CSD) is formed, which included a tenant mediation program, a parking district and graffiti abatement, among other projects. The conversation continued on Tues., Feb. 2, as they prepare to go in front of LAFCO on Thurs., Apr. 7.
NATIONAL
Sen. Ted Cruz won the Republican Iowa caucuses on Mon., Feb. 1, with roughly 27 percent of the vote. Donald Trump took second place with 24 percent, while Sen. Marco Rubio took third place with 23 percent of the votes. Cruz was awarded eight delegates, while Trump and Rubio each gained seven delegates.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders remained in a virtual tie after Monday’s Democratic Iowa caucuses. With all precincts reporting, Clinton achieved a narrow victory over Sanders with 49.9 percent to Sanders’s 49.6 percent, a difference of three-tenths of one percent. Clinton will be awarded 23 delegates, while Sanders will take 21 delegates.