May 20, 2026

Dear Members of the UC Santa Barbara Community,

Creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus environment is at the very heart of everything we do. We constantly strive to ensure that our safety procedures and protocols are aligned with institutional best practices. We require extensive training and provide comprehensive education for all members of our community to help recognize risks and prevent harm. We have also been actively collaborating with students, faculty, and staff to implement immediate safety enhancements, including investments in technology, safety infrastructure, and mental health personnel to enhance our trauma-informed response and support systems.

The recent disturbing report of a sexual assault in the Isla Vista area against a member of our community is a reminder that we must continually strengthen our efforts. We condemn and will not tolerate any form of sexual or gender-based violence, and we are fully committed to holding perpetrators accountable under applicable university policies. Our UCPD also works closely with local law enforcement during investigations and refers cases to the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Effective campus safety requires a multi-layered, proactive approach to minimize risks to the greatest extent possible. Creating a truly secure environment is not the responsibility of any single department, nor can it be achieved with any single solution. We recognize that what it means to feel safe is different for every member of our community and is deeply shaped by our backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

We will continue to work collectively to identify risks, prevent harm, and enact solutions that integrate physical, technological, and community-centered strategies so that every member of our university can thrive.

Our comprehensive safety framework rests on six interconnected principles:

  • Physical Security
    We continue to invest in our security infrastructure. We recently completed an assessment of our campus lighting and a comprehensive review of classroom building emergency procedures and technologies. Working closely with the Associated Students Public Safety Committee, we have added a Safety Station near the Lagoon during weekend evenings to complement existing stations in Isla Vista. The campus also offers 24/7, year-round, free safety escorts on campus and in Isla Vista. These safety escorts may be accessed by calling the UCPD Safety Escort Phone Line at 805-893-2000. Furthermore, our sworn police officers are required to be POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified, and the department recently achieved accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
  • In response to recent community questions, we also want to reaffirm the University of California’s and our campus’s commitment to fostering a campus environment that is safe and inclusive for all members of our community, regardless of immigration status. We have established protocols for notifying our community of federal immigration enforcement activity on campus and have published guidance for university employees should they encounter an immigration officer in the workplace. Our campus follows all student privacy laws and policies to protect students from unauthorized sharing of their personal information.
  • Advanced Technology
    We are working to expand our technological infrastructure to provide immediate and accessible resources for all community members. This includes exploring the use of mobile safety applications that offer real-time location sharing and direct lines to emergency services. We also worked with the AS Public Safety Committee to launch a pilot program deploying mobile security units (cutting-edge cameras and lights) around campus and have invested in weapons detection equipment for large events. We are committed to utilizing technology not just for prevention, but also as a proactive tool to empower individuals and facilitate rapid response.
  • Trauma-Informed Support and Mental Health Resources
    Feeling safe includes emotional and psychological well-being. We will continue to invest in staffing for confidential, survivor-centered spaces, including Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). We also offer services to students who may encounter emergency situations, including potential immigration enforcement activities. Our priority is ensuring that any student who is in need has immediate access to an advocate who can guide them through medical, legal, and academic accommodations without fear of judgment or institutional barriers.
  • Comprehensive Prevention and Education
    Preventing violence requires changing our culture. We have mandatory prevention education for incoming students, faculty, and staff to focus heavily on affirmative consent, bystander intervention, and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. Our Principles of Community publicly express our values of inclusion, respect for all members of our community, and celebration of differences. By partnering with student organizations and advocacy groups, we aim to foster a campus climate rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and collective care.
  • Community-Centered Collaboration and Accountability
    We recognize that campus safety is not the responsibility of law enforcement alone. Security is a shared responsibility. A safe campus is one where we look out for one another. We are committed to working with our student advocates, cultural resource center representatives, faculty, and staff. We will continue to regularly audit our safety initiatives to ensure they serve all students equitably, recognizing that marginalized communities often experience safety differently. We are committed to transparency in our processes and accountability in our outcomes.
  • Incident Reporting Resources
    Clearly identified reporting resources are a fundamental part of safety. Prompt reporting of incidents ensures that impacted parties receive information about support resources and safety planning, while also providing the university with valuable information about the prevalence of issues within the campus community, which helps to inform and enhance prevention and response efforts. Reports can be made to the Title IX Officer, to the UCSB Police, to any Responsible Employee, or to another appropriate office such as the Academic Personnel Office, Student Affairs, Office of the Provost, or Human Resources Office.

Fostering a safe and welcoming campus culture is a continuous, evolving commitment. By taking a comprehensive approach that integrates technology and physical infrastructure with education, understanding, and community vigilance, we can continue to enhance our safety practices and work toward our goal of creating an environment where everyone feels secure to learn, teach, work, and thrive.

We are so fortunate to be a part of this campus community, which is known for being supportive, caring, and compassionate. We are deeply grateful to all of you for your ongoing commitment to these efforts. It is only through working together that we will be successful in keeping our university a safe and welcoming home for all.

Sincerely,

Dennis Assanis, Chancellor