Involvement Opportunities
End of Navigation
Campus life does not have to be a one-way street of classes, exams, and papers.
UCSB offers opportunities to become involved in almost every area of interest imaginable.
Forks in the road lead in many directions: academic, cultural/ethnic, professional,
political, religious, service, recreational, and more! Getting involved in an organization
or group is an excellent way to meet people and gain a sense of belonging on campus.
Associated Students (A.S.)
All undergraduates belong to Associated Students (the official student government
at UCSB) through payment of required quarterly registration fees. As a member of
A.S., you have the opportunity to become involved in the political, educational,
and social environment of campus. You may serve on various A.S. and University committees,
run for elected office, or work for one of the many A.S.-sponsored services. A.S.
Main Office, UCen 1523; 893-2566; http://www.as.ucsb.edu.
A.S. Community Affairs Board

Photo:DEANNE LEDEBUHR @ 2008
The Community Affairs Board (CAB) is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience
of all UCSB students by providing easy access to volunteer work. CAB seeks to augment
classroom experiences, create opportunities for career exploration, and promote
public service in the surrounding communities. Volunteers have the option of choosing
a one-time, short-term, or on-going position from over 200 non-profit agencies.
There are positions in every area you can imagine. Opportunities are available in
professional fields such as law, health/medical, counseling, advertising/publicity,
or you may want a position working with senior citizens, youth, animals, in special
education, or even on the environment. CAB also provides leadership opportunities
for students on the Board. Participate in or head a committee: CAB Foundation, Family
Literacy Program, Outreach, or Public Relations. Help coordinate a special project,
or create one of your own. CAB Foundation also provides seed money to student groups
looking to develop their own community service programs. Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm;
UCen 2523; 893-4296.
A.S. Program Board (ASPB)
A.S. Program Board is a student-funded and run organization dedicated to producing
and supporting a diverse schedule of events for the UCSB campus and surrounding
community. The twelve student coordinators (along with their committees) sponsor
a range of activities from large concerts to lectures and films. ASPB gives students
the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in planning and producing campus activities
and entertainment. ASPB also provides students with many employment opportunities.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; UCen 1519; 893-3536.
Children's Centers
Located on West Campus, the Orfalea Family Children's Center provides quality childcare
for children 3 months to 5 years of age. The University Children's Center, located
in the Student Resource Building, provides care for children ages 3 months to 3
years of age. All student families receive a reduced tuition rate. Additional tuition
subsidies are available for low income families from a California Department of
Education Grant and from the Children's Centers' Child Care Scholarship Fund. To
place your child's name on the Centers' waitlist and to inquire about tuition subsidies,
please call or stop by. Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30am-5:30pm; 893-3665 or visit our Web
site at childrenscenter.sa.ucsb.edu
Community Service Organization (CSO)
CSO officers are part-time student employees of the Campus Police Department who
provide general public assistance and security services to the campus community.
CSO officers operate an escort service year round on campus and in Isla Vista. This
service is provided for students traveling either on bicycle or by foot. CSO officers
also patrol campus buildings and grounds, take stolen bike reports, respond to campus
emergencies, and provide security for residence halls and off-campus University
housing. In addition, CSO officers run the Bicycle Education and Safety Program
at UCSB. Public Safety Bldg.: 893-2433 or 893-5293; Escort Service: 893-2000.
Daily Nexus & La Cumbre Yearbook
The yearbook (La Cumbre), and newspaper (Daily Nexus) are always seeking interested
individuals to help; some positions are paid. The offices are located together beneath
Storke Tower. Students who want to get involved can call or drop by. Storke Communications
Building; Daily Nexus: 893-3828; La Cumbre: 893-2386.
Education Abroad Program (EAP)
EAP is an outstanding academic overseas study program which will involve 150 host
institutions in 34 countries worldwide in 2008-10. EAP offers participating students
a chance to remain registered at their home campuses while studying abroad. More
than 4,500 UC students go abroad on EAP each year. Students receive UC academic
credit and financial aid (if eligible). Interested students should visit the EAP
office early to learn which language and academic qualifications are required. Office
hours: Mon,-Thurs, 10am-12noon and 1pm-4pm and Fri 10am-12noon; South Hall 2431;
893-3763; or email to eapucsb@eap.ucsb.edu.
Fraternities and Sororities
Greek membership has been an important aspect of student life at the University
of California, Santa Barbara for over 50 years. Currently, fraternities and sororities
represent more than 2,800 undergraduates, and its members are involved in countless
University activities. Membership in a fraternity or sorority can offer experiences
that cannot be taught in any classroom. All of them provide opportunities for leadership,
scholarship and community service, as well as social and athletic programs. Recruitment
programs are usually held in early Fall Quarter; those interested should contact
the Office of Greek Affairs at 893-3966 or browse the Web site at http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl
Gaucho Locos
Get addicted to Gaucho sports! Join UCSB's student fan club, the Gaucho Locos. The
Gaucho Locos program is an incentive program for students to attend UCSB sporting
events. The Gaucho Locos are the lords of loud at the Thunderdome and Harder Stadium.
They sit in the Gaucho Locos section, all of them donning their gaudy yellow shirts,
and they make life absolutely miserable for the opposing team. Constantly cheering,
dancing, and chanting, the Gaucho Locos have established themselves as a force to
be reckoned with. Students can join Gaucho Locos when attending UCSB athletic events.
Call 893-8380 for more information or go to the Web site at: www.gaucholocos.com.
Honor Societies and Academic Unions
National and international honor societies such as Alpha Lambda Delta (freshman
honor society), Golden Key (junior and senior honor society) and Mortar Board (senior
honor society) meet regularly and provide members with opportunities to interact
with faculty, the community and other students. Several academic departments also
have honor societies and academic unions for their majors, which often sponsor social
and academic events. Inquire in offices or at the Office of Student Life, located
in the Student Resource Building (SRB) 2260; 893-4550 or visit www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl.
Internship Program
The Internship Program of Career Services offers career-related, part-time local
and summer national and international internship positions to juniors and seniors
of all majors. Some positions are paid, but most are volunteer; the reward is in
the valuable experience. For more information attend an internship workshop at Career
Services or call 893-4412. You can also visit our Web site at http://career.ucsb.edu/students/internships/index.html.
Intramurals, Sport Clubs and Open Recreation
If you are interested in trying new sports such as innertube water polo or ultimate
frisbee or prefer continuing with a favorite pastime such as basketball or softball,
then Recreational Sports has something for you. Interest, not skill, is the prerequisite
for participation. Offerings include league play, weekend tournaments, Sport Clubs
and "drop in" recreation. Come recreate with one of the most popular student service
programs on campus! RecCen Room 1110; 893-3253.
Isla Vista Children's Center
The I.V. Children's Center provides child care and development services for infants,
toddlers and preschoolers (children 3 months through 6 years). The Center offers
a special ESL program, low fees, scholarships, and hot lunches. Hours: Mon-Fri,
6:45am-5:45pm. 892 Camino del Sur, Isla Vista; 968-0488. Email: IVyouth@aol.com.
Isla Vista Recreation and Park District Adopt-A-Block Program
As a volunteer in the Adopt-A-Block program, you can adopt a block and sign up to
clean it once a week. Volunteer hours are flexible-between 9am and 5pm, Monday through
Friday. In appreciation, you will receive a coupon from a local business sponsor
for free goods or services. Are you planning on joining a sorority, fraternity,
or a sports team? You can sign-up your organization for your very own volunteer
clean-up of IV! Contact the Adopt-A-Block Supervisor at 968-2017, or email cleaniv@ivparks.org. This is a great way to get to know Isla Vista and make it clean, green, and healthy!
Isla Vista Youth Projects
The IV Youth Project offers after-school (2:45pm-6:00pm) and summer (7:30am-5:30pm)
recreation enrichment programs in conjunction with Isla Vista School for children
ages six to twelve on-site at the Isla Vista School, 6072 El Colegio, Isla Vista
968-1624.
Isla Vista/UCSB Community Liaison
Housed at Embarcadero Hall are the offices of the Isla Vista/UCSB Community Liaison,
the Director of the Isla Vista Alcohol and Other Drug Council, and the field office
for the County of Santa Barbara's Third District Supervisor. The Isla Vista/UCSB
Community Liaison office provides resources and offers opportunities for all residents
of Isla Vista to participate in community affairs. UCSB students have paid positions
and internships to develop projects, coordinate programs, and assist with workshops
and meetings to address local needs and improve the quality of life. 935 Embarcadero
del Norte, 2nd floor, Isla Vista; 893-4979.
KCSB Radio
KCSB is a campus and community, non-commercial radio station that broadcasts programming
that you will not hear anywhere else in the Tri-Counties area. Twenty-four hours
a day, seven days a week, KCSB transmits on 91.9 FM to a broadcast area stretching
from San Luis Obispo to Thousand Oaks, bringing its audience eclectic programming
that ranges from jazz to underground hip-hop to experimental electronica, from incisive
public affairs to news and sports. KCSB is a volunteer station with close to 200
students and community members on staff. KCSB's sister station, KJUC, broadcasts
to UCSB residence halls on 770 and 880 AM and gives new programmers a chance to
get started right away in the world of radio. Everyone is encouraged to get involved
(no experience necessary). Located at the base of Storke Tower. KCSB-FM, 893-3757;
KCSB Request Line: 893-2424; News/Sports: 893-2426; KJUC Request Line: 893-2425.
KCSB's Web site, featuring a 24-hour live webcast: www.kcsb.org.
Leadership Certificate Program
The Division of Student Affairs offers a co-curricular program for students to develop
as future leaders with integrity and dedication, and with regard to their respective
career interests. The LCP is designed to develop awareness, understanding, and value
of various leadership theories and methods. The program: introduces students to
prominent theories and concepts of leadership; enhances student leadership skills;
develops awareness of major social issues confronting our global community and leaders;
enhances academic experience without impeding regular progress toward degree; acknowledges
the involvement and dedication of student leaders. For more information and to sign
up, visit http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/LeadershipDevelopment/lcp/Index.asp?page=lcp or call the LCP Coordinator in the Office of Student Life at 893-3544.
Leadership Education at UCSB
As part of the Office of Student Life, Leadership Education
provides UCSB students with a wide variety of programs to promote their development
as capable and productive leaders. Programs include-but are not limited to-the leadership
development course (ED 173), the annual Student Leadership Conference, the Leadership
Certificate Program (LCP), internship opportunities, the Leadership Education &
Action Program (LEAP), extensive leadership development workshops, personalized
leadership consulting, and the annual Activities Awards ceremony. If you want to
get involved, but you just do not know where to start, let us help! There are a
number of opportunities for student involvement. Visit the Web site at
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/LeadershipDevelopment/
or contact the Office of Student Life at 893-3544 for more information.
Leadership Education & Action Program (LEAP)
This program focuses on helping new freshmen develop into future leaders in the UCSB campus community and beyond by providing students from a wide range of backgrounds, and with a variety of future goals, access to leadership opportunities. During fall quarter, freshmen can apply and 20-25 students are chosen, based on their potential for development, to receive intensive leadership training. During winter quarter, they enroll in the university success course (INT 20) with a special discussion section where the focus is on their development as a leader. In spring, participants go on an overnight retreat where they receive intensive training. During spring, they are also paired with a staff mentor who will guide their further development in the issue/area of their choosing. Visit
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/LeadershipDevelopment/ or contact the Office of Student Life at 893-3544 for more information.
Office of Student Life
The Office of Student Life (OSL) houses the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of Judicial Affairs to provide a centralized location for students to access multiple services and provides a staff trained to address a wide variety of needs and concerns students encounter while enrolled at UCSB. Services include general assistance with problem solving, referrals and personal emergencies; advice and support to all class levels through student mentor teams; freshmen services; processing letters of recommendation; and administrative withdrawals. We also plan and schedule many co-curricular activities and educational programs. The staff assists students and organizations with leadership training and development, program planning, fund raising, trustee accounts, publicity and promotion, and special projects. The Office of Student Life provides an organization directory on their Web site which lists the statement of purpose and contact information for approximately 300 campus organizations. If you don't find an organization that interests you, the staff will help you start one. The protection of scholastic integrity and the prevention of academic dishonesty are fundamental to the mission of the Office of Judicial Affairs. The office provides education about campus regulations, as well as administering the campus judicial process. For more information visit
judicialaffairs.sa.ucsb.edu
The OSL is located in the Student Resource Building (SRB) on the second floor. Telephone: 893-4550 or 893-4569. Web site
www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl
Every October, OSL and Orientation Programs co-sponsor the Activities Faire in Storke Plaza with over 130 groups providing information about their activities.
Orientation Programs
Orientation Programs is looking for highly motivated individuals who are interested in working closely with new students and their parents during Summer Orientation. Staff members have the unique opportunity to serve as the first point of personal contact for most of the students who will enter UCSB each year. Students on the staff develop professional skills in leadership, public speaking, organization, academic advising, public relations, and issues awareness. Applications are due each year in January. Orientation Programs is committed to hiring a diverse staff which represents the range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences of the UCSB student population. The staff works April through August. Student Resource Building, 2nd floor; 893-3443;
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/orientation.
Peer Programs
There are a variety of peer positions available at UCSB for students interested in gaining valuable experience while helping other students. Peer advising opportunities are available in many majors (check your department), as well as in the Colleges of Letters & Science and Engineering. Other programs with peer positions include Student Health, Counseling Services, Career Services, Rape Prevention Education Program, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), CLAS, Orientation Programs, Office of Student Life, Residence Halls Association, Women's Center and Associated Students. For information, contact these offices or visit http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/studentstaff/MissionStatements.asp asp for a complete listing. For information on other options, visit career.ucsb.edu/ or call 893-4412 for an appointment with a career counselor.
Residence Halls Association (RHA)
All students who live in University-owned on-campus residence halls are members
of RHA through payment of a yearly Residence Halls activity fee. RHA is the student
governing body of the residence halls and also sponsors social, educational, and
multicultural programming on campus. RHA gives students the chance to get involved
on the campus, residence hall, or individual hall level. Elections for RHA Executive
Council are held in spring and elections for Hall Council positions are held fall
quarter. The RHA Main Office is located in the lobby of San Nicolas Residence Hall;
893-4877. You may also visit their Web site at: rha.housing.ucsb.edu.
Students Stopping Rape
Sexual assault and dating abuse are, unfortunately, realities on every college campus.
Chances are you will be affected somehow by these problems while you are here. You
will probably know someone it has happened to or possibly experience it yourself.
Students Stopping Rape is a group of women and men students who work to eliminate
sexual violence in the UCSB community. As peer educators in the Rape Prevention
Education Program, these students are trained to facilitate discussions about sex,
sexism, communication, safety, self-defense, how to help a friend and how to change
the culture that promotes this type violence. They provide programs in residence
halls, classrooms, clubs, sororities and fraternities. They also work on special
projects such as media campaigns and bringing in speakers. The group meets every
Wednesday at the Women's Center at 5:00pm. For more information, contact the RPEP
at the Women's Center, SRB, 893-3778.
Men Against Rape
Most sexual assaults are perpetrated by men against women, so sexual assault is
definitely not just a women's issue. UCSB's Men Against Rape recognizes this fact
and works toward increasing education and understanding about sexual assault among
men on the UCSB campus. The all male group works through the campus Rape Prevention
Education Program and provides workshops and discussions about ways in which men
can work towards eliminating violence against women. For more information, contact
the RPEP at the Women's Center, SRB, 893-3778.
Tour Guides (Gaucho Guides)
Share your pride in UCSB by becoming a Gaucho Guide. As an official representative
of UCSB you can give campus tours to prospective students and their parents. For
details contact the Visitor Center at 893-8175.
UCSB Cheer Squad
The UCSB Cheerleading Team is a nationally ranked competitive all women's squad.
The team cheers at all of the UCSB Men's and Women's Basketball team home games
and the Men's Soccer home games and represents the University at a variety of promotional
events including the Big West and NCAA Basketball Tournaments. They regularly make
community appearances and are very involved on campus. The team also competes at
a number of local competitions as well as nationals in Las Vegas each year. Cheer
Squad try-outs are generally held in May for the following season. For more information
go to www.gauchocheer.com.
UCSB Pep Band
The UCSB Pep Band offers a unique opportunity for students with musical skills to
strut their stuff and support the UCSB Basketball program. Players of all instruments
are invited to join the band, as long as you are willing to play loud and cheer
loud. The band plays all home basketball games, the Big West and NCAA Basketball
Tournaments, as well as other select events. The Pep Band begins practice in September
and is open to all students. Email us at gauchopepband@gmail.com for more information.
UCSB Visitor Center
The Visitor Center at UC Santa Barbara provides admissions presentations, campus
tours and transfer advising sessions for over 38,000 guests each year.
University Center (UCen)
The University Center features eight food facilities, UCSB Bookstore, FedEx Kinko's,
meeting rooms, Corwin Pavilion, the Community Housing Office, Associated Students,
Graduate Students Association, MultiCultural Center with theater, post office/cashiers,
STA travel agency, and two computer lounges with a total of 21 NetPlus workstations.
The Hub, with 10 big screen televisions, also provides programming at night. The
UCen is also a good source of student employment (see page 79 for more information).
Information, 893-2464.
|