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Involvement Opportunities

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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

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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


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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

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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.