From the Desk of Willie Brown

Spring Quarter is off to a good start!

While there are many details still being finalized, I want to share with you some of the highlights of what’s been happening this spring quarter and what we’re working on for this summer.

• On April 15 Residential & Community Living began offering limited in-person programming for students in single-student apartments and family student housing. Residents can now reserve access to volleyball courts, basketball courts, and swimming pools in their respective residential area.

• Portola Dining Commons has reopened for students with existing meal plans to access indoor and outdoor seating and to eat in small, physically distanced groups or pods inside the facility.

• The University Center has continued to be open for access to the Basic Needs Center (SNAC), Food Bank, and the Post Office, but has not been open for study or for access to vendors. Some additional access to the University Center could open up in late spring or early summer dependent on staffing.

• The campus is discussing potential summer offerings for incoming and current UCSB students only, with both remote and residential opportunities. These mentoring and retention programs would support students who have been impacted academically by remote instruction.

This is exciting progress for our students and UCSB community; however, there is still much we must all do to achieve a safe return to campus while continuing to keep health and safety precautions our highest priority. I am increasingly confident we will welcome students back to campus this Fall 2021 given the prevalence of vaccines and Santa Barbara now being in the orange tier. Please continue to remain vigilant in all your efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. I urge those of you who have not yet been vaccinated to learn more about scheduling your shots below. As always, please wash your hands, wear a face mask, socially distance, and stay healthy!

Find an Appointment: 

• CA MyTurn Portal (Serves all of California): myturn.ca.gov

• SBC Public Health Department Vaccination Clinics: https://publichealthsbc.org/vaccine/

• SBC Community-Based Vaccination Sites (including local pharmacies): https://publichealthsbc.org/community-based-vaccination-sites/directory

• SBC 2-1-1: In Santa Barbara, call 2-1-1 for assistance getting vaccine appointments (also available in Spanish). The call center is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.