May 12, 2015

Dear Community Members,

I want to share additional information with you regarding the incident that took place in Isla Vista last night, and to once again remind you of the counseling resources available to all members of our campus community.

We have remained in close communication with the Sheriff’s Office throughout last night and today. The incident appears to be an isolated dispute and the Sheriff’s Office has indicated that the suspects were not affiliated with the University. The Sheriff’s Office has indicated that the suspects may have been acquainted with the two people injured, who have been identified as a UC Santa Barbara student and a UC Santa Barbara alumnus. We have been informed that our student and alumnus are receiving medical care for nonlife-threatening injuries, and we are encouraged to learn that our student was released from the hospital today. We hope for a speedy recovery, and we send our thoughts and well-wishes to them and to their families and friends.

We will continue to update our university community as appropriate.

While the incident last night was brief, it was very important to us to quickly respond and ensure that our campus was safe. Given the events of last year and our efforts to change the culture in Isla Vista — efforts in which our entire campus community, including students, faculty, staff, and friends, have played a vital role — I want to take this opportunity to emphasize again that the safety and welfare of our students is our highest priority.

As you know from previous communications, we have added police officers and maintained increased UCPD patrols in both Isla Vista and on our campus throughout the year to enhance safety. We will increase the visibility of our police officers, both on weekends and weeknights, and build on our community policing efforts in order to help promote safety and further strengthen the relationship between our officers and the community they serve and protect.

Despite the significant steps we have taken over the past several years and the great progress we have made as a community — particularly since last May — we continue to face challenges in addressing the complex issues that affect Isla Vista. Like all campuses that neighbor urban communities, ours is not fully immune to occurrences of violence, as is evidenced by last night’s isolated incident. However, that event only strengthens our resolve.

We remain unequivocally committed to bringing our leadership and resources to bear in helping the County of Santa Barbara, our students, and all the residents of Isla Vista create a safe and welcoming environment. We will continue working together to move forward, undeterred, to build on the progress we have made.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor

Counseling Resources and Contacts:

Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as are safety escorts through our CSO Escort Program. Contact information is as follows:

  • 24/7 Counseling Hotline: (805) 893-4411
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): Counselors for students are available on-site; see http://caps.sa.ucsb.edu/about-us/contact-us-hours-location for details.
  • Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP): Counselors for faculty and staff are available by calling (805) 893-3318.
  • CSO Escort Program: Courtesy escorts are available for students, faculty, staff, and community members traveling on campus and in Isla Vista at any time. They can be requested by:
    • Calling UCSB’s Police Dispatch line at (805) 893-2000
    • Using the red emergency phones located all over campus