April/May 2023
Gaucho Parents & Family Newsletter
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Hello, Gaucho parents & families!
Happy spring quarter! This month's newsletter includes reminders about Commencement and UCSB residence hall and apartment move-out, an introduction to UCSB's newest classroom building, an important public health announcement, and more.
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| Reminders & Announcements
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- Is your student looking for temporary housing to bridge the period between the UCSB residence hall or apartment move out and the start of summer housing? Temporary housing is offered in San Miguel Residence Hall, June 17 - July 2. It's first come, first served and registration is now open! Learn more on the UCSB Conference & Hospitality Services website.
- The last day for students to make a 2023 Commencement reservation is Monday, May 15. Seniors declaring degree candidacy in any of the four 2023 academic quarters are invited to participate in a ceremony based upon their major.
We welcome the families and friends of UC Santa Barbara's Class of 2023. Learn more about critical dates, parking details, accommodations and other pertinent information on the Commencement website.
Visit the Campus Store and cheer on your graduate! Yard signs, Regalia, Grad Packs and more available now!
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Introducing the Interactive Learning Pavilion
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The UC Santa Barbara experience is both scholarly and social. So how do students achieve balance between work and life? These Gauchos stop outside the library to share their answers.
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UCSB Community Public Health Announcement
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The UCSB community (students, staff and faculty) recently received communication regarding the ongoing serious health and safety risks posed by the opioid overdose crisis that exists in our community as it does in so many communities in our country and around the world.
Below is the Public Health Announcement that was sent to all students on April 24. It is important to acknowledge that the UCSB and Isla Vista communities are not immune to the risks that exist around us. We encourage you to please consider letting your student know that you have also received this information and are aware of the resources and support services that are available to all students. Thank you for helping UCSB in our efforts to keep students safe.
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Our UCSB campus and community continue to be impacted by the alarming number of drug overdose cases involving accidental fentanyl exposure. We are deeply concerned about the well-being and safety of our community and we want students to be empowered to keep themselves and our community safe. We all can play a role in reducing overdose tragedies.
Overdose prevention information, including how to obtain and use the opioid overdose reversal medication Naloxone (also known as Narcan), and how to obtain fentanyl testing strips, is available on the UCSB Student Health Alcohol and Drug Program/Gauchos For Recovery website. Gauchos for Recovery supplies Naloxone and fentanyl test strips to students anonymously and at no cost.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and roughly 100 times stronger than morphine. A fentanyl overdose can happen in seconds to minutes. Many people who are exposed to fentanyl had no intention of taking it, but were taking other drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, and heroin that were contaminated with fentanyl without their knowledge. Counterfeit prescription drugs containing fentanyl are often sold online and are falsely marketed as legitimate prescriptions. Many fake pills are manufactured to look just like legitimate prescriptions and may even come in a prescription bottle, but they often contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips are a tool that can detect the presence of fentanyl in a drug, and it is recommended that people test every dose of any substance they intend to consume.
Naloxone is an overdose reversal medication that comes in an easy to use nasal spray and can be administered by anyone in the event of an overdose. It can immediately reverse the effect of opioids in the body. It has no known side effects. It has no effect on alcohol or non-opioid drugs, but there is no harm to a person if they are given Naloxone and have not used opioids. Anyone who administers Naloxone in an overdose situation is exempt from liability under California state law.
The California Good Samaritan Law protects those who call 911 in an overdose situation from prosecution for most drug-related crimes. The UCSB Responsible Action Protocol, similar to California Good Samaritan laws, applies to UCSB students who make a call on behalf of themselves or someone else needing assistance in a drug or alcohol-related emergency.
Support Resources:- The UCSB Alcohol & Drug Program (ADP) is a free, confidential resource for students staffed by licensed mental health clinicians and prevention specialists. To contact ADP, call (805) 893-5013 or visit the ADP website.
- For specific overdose prevention information, visit the ADP/Gauchos for Recovery Overdose Prevention and Response page.
- For information about recovery and peer support services, visit the Gauchos For Recovery page.
- As with any public health crisis, many people will be impacted and help is available. Students can receive 24/7 crisis support through Counseling and Psychological Services by calling (805) 893-4411.
Just last week, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) designated fentanyl combined with xylazine as an emerging threat to the United States. Xylazine’s growing role in overdose deaths nationwide prompted the Administration to make this designation for the first time in U.S. history. Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary settings, but not intended for human use. Xylazine is mostly being added to the illegal fentanyl supply but has also been found in other substances like cocaine. Manufacturers are adulterating drugs with xylazine because it is cheaper and said to prolong the “high” of the substance. Xylazine can cause significant and rapidly worsening negative health consequences including fatal overdoses and other life-threatening symptoms.
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| Handshake - Summer and Fall Quarter Jobs
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Handshake is the premium platform for Gauchos to find jobs, internships, and career connections. Ranging from part-time to full-time positions, on-campus and off-campus, these jobs and internships are exclusively for UCSB students.
Now’s a good time to browse open positions for summer and fall! Students should review the Handshake Help Center for more information.
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| Parent & Family Resources
Stay Connected and Informed
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Information on quarterly instruction dates and holidays.
Campus Map
UC Santa Barbara’s newly launched, interactive campus map can help you navigate our beautiful campus on your next visit.
Shoreline
Students can find events offered by different campus departments, organizations, and student groups.
Campus Calendar
Displays all the events happening around campus. You can filter by event types, target audience, or topic and stay informed on what UCSB has to offer each quarter.
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