CAMPUS
University of California, Santa Barbara’s Young Americans for Liberty chapter hosted a teach-in focused on rape hysteria, due process and free speech on the evening of Wednesday, May 18. Among other topics, fourth-year history major and guest lecturer Andrew Cavarno argued against the alleged lack of evidence supporting widely propagated rape statistics. Though the event was initially intended to be a debate, all administrators, faculty, advocacy groups and activists contacted declined the invitation to participate.
Students gathered in the UCSB MultiCultural Center Lounge for a full day writing workshop with visiting short story author and playwright Pat Alderete on Saturday. A part of the Creative Writing Workshop series “Visible,” Alderete led students in the process of cultivating and establishing various identities in writing and emphasized the importance of storytelling as a means of empowerment.
The Green Initiative Fund has awarded over $181,368 to 16 University of California, Santa Barbara student-run and environmentally friendly projects. Among them is the newly proposed Edible Campus program, in which students will construct a small campus farm as a teaching tool for increased food sustainability. Working closely with Associated Students, student organizers hope to supply the AS campus food bank with an annual 12,000 pounds of produce.
Members of VOCEROS, a student group demanding for an improved campus climate for students of the Latino community, met with University of California, Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang at El Centro on Saturday, May 21. Other high-ranking attendees included Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Margaret Klawunn and UCSB Police Department Chief Dustin Olson. Among the the topics discussed included a demand for demilitarized law enforcement in Isla Vista and the creation of a Central American studies department.
ISLA VISTA
Associated students held a three-day conference titled “Isla Vista Conference: The Beloved Community” from Friday, May 20 to Sunday, May 22. With over 30 sessions and workshops available throughout the weekend, dialogue centered around topics like local politics, community events and law enforcement. “One of the major themes across conference sessions was community trauma, and I can humbly say that the conference provided spaces for participants to engage in the process of healing,” said Paola Dela Cruz, third year history of public policy major and External Vice President for Local Affairs.
STATE
U.S. presidential candidate hopefuls will begin visiting California with Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump all scheduled to make appearances in Southern California in the coming week. The California presidential primaries will be held on June 7 to determine the number of delegates candidates will receive for the July national conventions. Polling places are stationed throughout the UCSB campus, Isla Vista and Goleta.
UPDATES:
May 27, 12:25 a.m.: A brief involving student group VOCEROS has been added.
This article was originally published at 6:27 p.m.