UCSB Senate Reviews Lagoon Safety Upgrades, Debates Isla Vista Utility Tax

The 77th Associated Students Senate, at its October 14 meeting, received a design proposal for the Campus Lagoon lighting and camera path project. This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance student safety, particularly at the Campus Lagoon, which has been identified as a high-crime location for several decades.

The proposed design features dozens of lights intended for installation on the west side of the lagoon, near Manzanita Village. Additionally, two security cameras are planned for placement at the path's ends, closest to the oceanside of the lagoon. Josh Rohmer, the Director of Capital & Physical Planning, explained that the design proposal will undergo a review period of four to six months once submitted to the California Coastal Commission.

University Police Department (UCPD) Chief Matthew Bly addressed questions regarding the use of the proposed security cameras. Bly stated that UCPD has updated policies for camera usage, clarifying that they are not intended for enforcing minor alcohol or drug violations. Instead, the cameras are meant to serve as a deterrent and an investigatory tool in the event of a significant crime against a person occurring specifically in the lagoon or lagoon island area of the campus. The push for these safety measures originated from an attempted sexual assault that occurred at the lagoon on October 19, 2025. Following student mobilization, UC Santa Barbara was granted a temporary permit to install lights and cameras while efforts continued toward securing a permanent solution.

During the public forum portion of the meeting, Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) President Katherine Carmichael sought support from the Senate for a new tax, Measure E2026. This measure will appear on the ballot for Isla Vista residents in November. If approved, Measure E2026 would implement a 6% utility tax on trash, water, electricity, and sewage services, alongside a 7% tax on methane. This tax would directly affect students residing in off-campus housing within Isla Vista.

According to the IVCSD website, the proposed tax is estimated to generate $1.2 million annually, with funds earmarked for “local improvements and services.” Carmichael emphasized that these funds would be locally controlled, ensuring they are spent solely within the community and are inaccessible to county, state, or federal governments. She articulated that the tax's objective is to prioritize tangible “on-the-ground results,” which would indirectly contribute to the district's broader goal of achieving cityhood.

Later in the meeting, Senator Alec GeoSimonian, a second-year physics major, introduced a resolution endorsing Measure E2026. However, the proposal generated debate among senators regarding the association's role in supporting a measure that would increase costs for students. A statement from Senator Atticus Gonzalez, a fourth-year statistics and data science major who was not present at the meeting, was read aloud. Gonzalez expressed concerns about affordability, noting that students responsible for their own utility bills would face higher expenses. He also questioned the lack of specific targets and deadlines for the improvements the tax was intended to fund.

Other senators echoed concerns about the appropriateness of the association endorsing a ballot measure without first gathering input from the student body. Conversely, Senator Jake Horvitz, a second-year communication major, asserted that since the Senate members were elected by the student body, they held a responsibility to take a stance on such matters. Senator Kyara Vivanco Cortes, a third-year computer science and sociology double major, highlighted the low voter turnout in the previous year's election. Cortes suggested that due to this, the Senate might not fully represent the entire student population and therefore recommended that research be conducted on the tax before the Senate decided whether to endorse it or not. Ultimately, the Senate referred the resolution concerning Measure E2026 to the Advocacy Committee for further deliberation.

In other business, the Senate passed two bills updating the legal codes for the Black Womyn’s Health Collaborative (BWHC) and the Isla Vista Tenants Union (IVTU). The BWHC bill included changes to their name and board positions, while the IVTU bill added an additional position. A separate bill establishing an Alumni & Donors Relations Committee under the Office of the President was also passed, aiming to strengthen connections between the Associated Students and alumni for networking and fundraising opportunities. A bill proposing updates to the hiring process for A.S. department chairs was introduced and subsequently referred to the Liaison Committee.

During financial allocations from the Senate Unallocated account, $7,500 was approved for A.S. Student Staff, $16,300 was allocated to support the Isla Vista Farmers Market's events throughout the year, and an additional $13,700 was approved for the Finance Committee.