Taylor Cusimano
Contributing Writer
After the 73rd presidential inauguration and Donald Trump’s return to office, students at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) entered the third week of winter quarter. Despite feeling a mix of caution and unease due to the executive orders and policy changes enacted by Trump’s administration, the campus remained determined to move forward and tackle the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Resilience among the student body grew evident as many actively engaged with the evolving political landscape, striving to understand and adapt to changes. In a conversation with Simone “Cece” Temple, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in transgender studies, The Bottom Line (TBL) learned about Temple’s experience finding power in their identity as a non-binary individual teaching a feminist studies course. Temple remarked, “The inauguration has left me feeling what I often feel: disappointed, yet unfortunately not surprised,” a sentiment that resonates deeply in today’s political climate.
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump signed an executive order on gender recognition, stating, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” The order reversed previous policies recognizing gender identities beyond a binary framework. Temple emphasized the seriousness of the situation by stating, “Not being able to use the bathroom you want is death-dealing. Not being called the correct name is death-dealing. Not being validated or acknowledged, legally, socially, or otherwise, is death-dealing.” In this context, “death-dealing” refers to mortal harm caused by being denied dignity, identity, and fundamental rights. For trans and nonbinary individuals, it highlights the devastating emotional, social, and psychological impact of being refused recognition. The reversal of policies, including the removal of the X gender marker on federal documents for transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals, marks a significant setback.
In addition to declaring “only two genders,” Trump advocated for an end to birthright citizenship and called for mass deportations. In a conversation with Janelle Morales, a first-year undergraduate majoring in psychology, TBL sought to understand her concerns regarding recent immigration laws. Morales expressed her frustration with the new border customs, noting, “It’s not even a quick process … It takes days.” She emphasized the prolonged suffering faced by individuals in ICE custody and condemned the treatment they receive, stating, “It’s not good … It’s not humane.” Trump’s administration has allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct arrests on school grounds. While the University of California system has taken steps to support affected students by providing resources and promoting safe communities, it is beyond their control to prevent ICE operations.
At UCSB, various resources are available to support those affected by immigration policies, including Undocumented Student Services, the Dream Scholars Resource Team, and mental health counseling. While support from the campus community is evident, Morales conveys the ongoing anxieties. “Hispanic families are suffering. It hurts to see kids in pain because their parents are being taken away,” she states. “It’s a scary and threatening time.”
Environmental concerns also escalated following Trump’s inauguration, brought on by his declaration of a “national energy emergency” and the mantra of “drill, baby, drill.” Anxieties intensified after the decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement — a global accord aimed at combating climate change — aligning the U.S. with only three other nations (Iran, Libya, and Yemen) that opted out.
In a conversation with Catherine Cataldo, a second-year majoring in environmental studies, TBL learned about her reaction to the inauguration. “I felt really scared,” she recalled, further explaining, “The other day, some of my friends and I were discussing our fears about the various policies being implemented by the government.” Cataldo, along with other students on campus, advocates through the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), a nonprofit student-led organization dedicated to promoting public interests.
The organization has recently focused heavily on ocean conservation due to Trump’s emphasis on oil exploration and the potential reactivation of an oil rig along the Santa Barbara Channel, presenting challenges for protecting coastal ecosystems. For many, the devastating effects of the Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969 — a pivotal event that ultimately led to the establishment of Earth Day — are still evident. Cartaldo stated, “We’re calling on Governor Newsom to instruct his state agencies to commit to fully protecting 30 percent of our oceans.”
Set up in front of Storke Tower, CALPIRG posed a thought-provoking question that encouraged the community to reflect: Would UCSB be UCSB without the sea? This inquiry highlights the university’s distinctive coastal location and encourages reflection on how the environment shapes our identity and our willingness to advocate for it. Cartaldo remarked, “By pledging to support ocean conservation, you are making a difference.” The ocean embodies the spirit of UCSB, as it is not merely a backdrop but a fundamental part of the campus’s identity.
Since week three of winter quarter, the sense of community on campus has grown. A shared purpose emerged, centered around protecting the diverse and unique aspects of our campus. Temple captured this sentiment perfectly, stating, “The weight of what I represent and strive for is never lost on me. Each morning, I am inspired to contribute to and engage in what sustains and drives me forward.” By leaning on one another for support, UCSB continues to stride forward.