Fall issue 7 2016 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

BRIEFS CAMPUS In an effort to offer improved accommodations to transfer students, UC President Janet Napolitano announced Monday that the deadline for transfer students applying to UC campuses will be extended to Jan. 3, 2017 for most majors. Several extension programs and majors will only be available for applications filed during the priority consideration period that still holds with the original November application deadline. The full list of closed programs and majors will be posted on Dec. 1 on the admissions page of the UC website. The extended deadline is one of several steps taken by the UC Office of the President to reach the enrollment goal of one admitted transfer student per every two admitted freshmen. The University of California, Santa Barbara is now ranked 24th out of 1,000 universities on the 2017 “U.S. News & World Report” list of best universities in the world. The comprehensive list, sampled from 65 different countries, ranked four fellow UC campuses in the top 20, with UC Berkeley at No. 4, UC Los Angeles at No. 10, UC San Diego at No. 15, and UC San Francisco at No. 16. Criteria for rankings were based on the frequency in which universities’ publications appeared in the top 10 percent most cited. Reputation, cross-department collaboration, and academic conferences were also taken into account. The UC’s Open Enrollment period for UC faculty and staff to review their health continues through Nov. 22. Employees will see small increases in their monthly contributions to their medical premiums. Over 90 percent of UC employees will see increases of less than $10 a month. Also during this year’s Open Enrollment, all eligible employees may enroll in Voluntary Disability Insurance, which provides partial wage compensation for pregnancy leave or absence due to illness. UC Santa Barbara soccer player Nick DePuy, a forward, is the first player to earn the title Big West Offensive Player of the Year three years in a row. The conference also awarded Kevin Feucht, a midfielder, Midfielder of the Year honors. Nine Gauchos have earned AllLeague status with the Big West’s 2016 Soccer All-Conference Team, according to a roster released Tuesday morning. ISLA VISTA Isla Vista — notorious for rowdy Halloween celebrations — celebrated Halloween quietly this year. This quiet Halloween weekend has followed the university’s and law enforcement’s unified efforts to keep Isla Vista safe and local. “The attendance this year … was significantly less than a typical weekend in Isla Vista,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Kelly Hoover to local news outlet Noozhawk. This year, the department reported, “no crowd, 26 arrests, 46 citations, and 13 medical transports,” over the span of Friday through Monday. This starkly contrasts with reports from 2013, which state “crowds of 12,000 to 15,000 people, along with 225 arrests, 249 citations, and 51 medical transports.” COUNTY Santa Rosa Island, a popular tourist destination 33 miles off the coast of Goleta, was closed Thursday after park rangers found bundles of marijuana. The discovery of the bundles, believed to be part of a larger smuggler’s ring of contraband goods, also prompted the evacuation of three campers that same day. The 84 square mile island has encountered issues with contraband smuggling in the past, as “panga” boats have been found in January, March, and as recently as Oct. 23. Island Packers, the company that runs ferry trips to and from the island, cancelled all scheduled landings for the past weekend. With the help of fellow local government agencies, the Santa Barbara County of Association of Governments is spearheading a study on possible solutions to traffic congestion in Goleta. For now, SBCAG is exploring the possibility of installing ramp meters, or red and green lights, at the beginning of certain Highway 101 on-ramps throughout Goleta. As discussed at a workshop on Thursday at the Goleta Valley Community Center, ramp meters are one of the few options to combat traffic congestion that don’t require modifying and expanding roadways through considerable construction.

TBL | Nov. 2 - Nov. 8, 2016

Q&A with Salud Carbajal, 24th Congressional District Candidate Shomik Mukherjee EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Salud Carbajal, the Democratic candidate for California’s 24th Congressional District seat, spoke about the need for student participation in politics during a brief round of interviews at the University of California, Santa Barbara on Oct. 27. Either Carbajal or Republican candidate Justin Fareed will hold the seat in Congress following the Nov. 8 election. Carbajal emerged as the top vote-getter in the June primary, winning 31.9 percent of the district vote. The 24th District is comprised of the counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, as well as western Ventura County. A UCSB alumnus, Carbajal served in the Gulf War with the Marine Corps before becoming Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor in 2004. On Oct. 24, President Barack Obama officially endorsed Carbajal for the Congress seat. Carbajal spoke primarily about student involvement during a short interview. Fareed, his opponent in the upcoming election, spoke to The Bottom Line a day previously, on Oct. 26. How have you garnered student engagement and involvement on campus, and what problems have you encountered, if any? Well, I’m a graduate of UCSB, so I remember the days of engagement here on campus — not only internally, but in Isla Vista and in various races externally. In terms of my campaign, I am pleased to say we have been engaging student groups to participate with us and partner in mobilizing students to vote, register, and get out the vote. There’s been a huge level of participation from UCSB and I’m very pleased they have stepped up to support me in huge numbers. It’s been absolutely positive. This year, as in previous elections, there’s been record numbers of students registered. They’ve become really engaged in the local elections and my campaign.

Photo by Frances Castellón | Marketing Director We have a very politically active campus. Students are often trying to get involved in some way or the other. There are students here, however, who are disillusioned with Congress and what it’s capable of doing. Do you have any thoughts on that? Well, I don’t blame them. I think when you consider the gridlock we’ve seen in Congress, where we’ve had a do-nothing Congress these past few years — they have not moved forward public policy legislation to address the issues that working middleclass families and students are very concerned about. It’s very disheartening: issues like financial aid and making [it] more readily available and accessible so students can pursue higher education [and] addressing the issue of student debt so

that students can refinance their debt like you refinance a mortgage. Even more important than that: to make sure banks are not profiting on the backs of any student wishing to pursue a higher education and who needs to take out a loan. The loans are given at significant interest rates. It’s atrocious. We need to do everything possible to reform those issues. I would understand why some students are disillusioned with Congress because they haven’t made progress on the important issues we care about: in addition to education, addressing climate change, making sure we are invested in renewable energy, doing everything to pass sensible gun laws that address some of the needless violence here on this campus, for example, and throughout the country. I certainly understand, but I hope to be able to

champion those issues. As a Gaucho myself, [I want to] be able to make Gauchos proud in Washington as their next representative in the United States Congress. For students to try and get involved, does it start with investing in local politics—since we do have, in Isla Vista, a few big decisions coming up—or do the big changes need to come from Washington? I think it starts at all levels. Certainly, locally there is a more direct impact where you can see participation. Participating at all levels is so important, and finding your niche — the area where you want to have the impact in. It could be trying to get your next member of Congress elected or trying to get your Supervisor elected, or the

two measures that are going to bring about the Community Services District here in Isla Vista. Whatever the issue might be, students need to find the impact that they’re trying to make at each level. What have you learned from and about students at UCSB during your years as Supervisor? I learned that UCSB is an extraordinary university. It’s a great place not only to go to college but to cut your teeth into getting involved and engaged on issues that impact our communities, our local university, and our world and nation. UCSB is one of the treasures in our country where you can come get an education and learn about what it’s all about to get civically engaged to make a difference.

Nick Vujicic Explains Faith and Being Yourself at Corwin Linus Li What is the closest many University of California, Santa Barbara students have ever come to losing their limbs? A bike or skateboard accident? A near fall off the flight of stairs connecting Del Playa Drive and the beach? Remember the last time you injured yourself and thought it was the end of the world knowing you would be greeted with a hard time writing, walking, or scratching your back? For Nick Vujicic, living a life without limbs has been his whole life. The Australian Christian evangelist made a visit to the Corwin Pavilion on Tuesday, sparking a huge turnout from students, staff, faculty, and community members to the point where the organizer had to turn away up to 100 guests. At 7 p.m. sharp, Vujicic made his appearance on our stage alongside a huge round of applause from the crowd of approximately 500 people and the Revelation Song, performed by the IV Worship. He greeted the crowd with a friendly Australian accent. Chris Comstock, the campus director for Christian organization CRU at UCSB, said his first impression of Vujicic was “definitely his confidence and authenticity … he was so free in himself.” Vujicic stood

on the stage without showing a bit of shame due to his lack of limbs for the entirety of the evening. As the evening progressed, the crowd was drawn by Vujicic’s story about his early years, from being bullied in school to starting his relationship with Jesus Christ at the age of 15, to later traveling around

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his] life to Jesus Christ,” traveled around the world, and hugged many people in different countries facing different problems. “[Vujicic] seems to love people a lot..he wants to interact with people through hugging”, said Comstock. In fact, hugging people is Vujicic’s signature move in all his talks. Through

For some attendees, they found themselves in quite an emotional spot. Sandra Shupp, a fourth year economics and accounting major, recalled the time when she struggled for motivation to wake up every day. “I didn’t lose any of my limbs, but [Vujicic] reminded me of the time when I asked myself, ‘why am

It is not merely about our religion, what we have, or what we don’t have. It’s about believing in what we pursue.

the world and giving speeches in 68 countries to audiences ranging from government officials to people with disabilities. “No one is ever going to love me,” Vujicic recounted thinking in his past. He feared to be lonely for the rest of his life, thought about committing suicide, and questioned the point of living. Today, he is happily married with 2 kids, has “[Given

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having a close interaction with his audience, Vujicic hopes everyone can feel the power of Jesus Christ and His spirit in humanity. “There’s hope that only God can offer [which] will last forever, and doesn’t fail you even in the worst of circumstances,” Comstock, who helped organize the event, said. Vujicic’s appearance reassured Comstock’s belief in Jesus Christ.

I here’?” Shupp said. “God works in really crazy ways.” Through Christianity, Shupp said she lifted herself out of depression and went on to become who she is today. Thinking about the motives behind Vujicic’s talk, Shupp said it came from “Vujicic’s faith for God and love for God,” claiming “his love for God makes him want to share it.” To Shupp and Jael Tringade,

a third year religious studies and English double major, their most memorable moment of the evening happened when Vujicic invited his audience to find their hopes and satisfaction in life that will always give us fulfillment. “There were many things that I took away from Vujicic, but above all, God loves all of us no matter who we are,” said Tringade. Those at Vujicic’s speech learned a key lesson: after all, it is not merely about our religion, what we have, or what we don’t have. It’s about believing in what we pursue and having faith in the path we walk down. “Don’t be surprised if when you seek happiness in temporary things, your happiness is just temporary,” said Vujicic, leading up to the discussion of this relationship with Jesus Christ. He reminded his audience that fulfillment in temporary things, such as fame, status, success, and pleasure will fade quickly. Injuring ourselves in whatever circumstances does not equate with the end of the world; neither does not being able to scratch our backs. Whatever happens to us could be an inspiration to other people to do better, to wake up every day, and to face their problems with a positive attitude, like in Vujicic’s world.

Opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff or UCSB. All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to managing@bottomlineucsb.com or content@bottomlineucsb.com.

Corrections: In Volume 11, Issue 6, Hector Rafael Smith was credited as the photographer for the UCSB soccer game. Rafael Smith was the photographer.