Gaucho Parent & Family Newsletter |
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Hello, Gaucho parents & families!
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As we close out a successful fall quarter at UCSB, we want to extend a thank you to our parent and family community. Your support from afar has been instrumental in helping your students cross the finish line this term. We hope you enjoy the weeks ahead as a time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with your student. This month's newsletter includes information about winter break closures, a reminder about the Continuing Student Housing application for the 2026-27 school year, a highlight of our Student Parent Liaison, and more.
Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a peaceful winter break!
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Reminders & Announcements |
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Residence halls will close at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 13 for Winter Break. Residence Halls remain open to students in need of break housing who have successfully completed a Winter Break Housing Contract with UCHS to be approved to stay. The last meal served in dining commons will be dinner on Friday, December 12. All dining commons will close at 7:30 p.m.
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Residence halls will officially re-open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 4. To support long distance travel, students will be allowed to return on Saturday, January 3 starting at noon without having to pay the $500 break fee. Though halls are open for students to return on January 3, certain campus services (dining, front desks) will not be available until January 4. Student keys will be activated on January 3 to allow for this early return. No registration is needed; students can choose to return on Saturday as needed.
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Carrillo, DLG, and Portola dining commons will reopen for dinner on Sunday, January 4 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. Takeout at Ortega will open on Monday, January 5 with regular scheduled hours.
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The Continuing Undergraduate Housing Application opens January 20 at 10 a.m. and closes January 26 at 11:59 p.m. for priority consideration. If your student would like to live in campus housing for the 2026-27 school year, please encourage them to apply by the deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered after the new student housing process concludes.
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University & Community Housing Services will host Rental Fairs in winter quarter on:
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- January 14 (Storke Plaza) from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
- February 5 (Storke Plaza) from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
- February 18 (Corwin Pavilion) from 5:00-7:00p.m.
- March 3 (Storke Plaza) from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
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Registration is open for the Family Vacation Center (FVC). Join us on campus next summer for a truly restorative and fun summer break! This all-inclusive weeklong getaway is where families and friends (no UCSB affiliation required) gather to relax, connect, and create lasting memories—we’ll even take care of the kids! Book early for the best savings. Is your UCSB student looking for a summer job? They can gain valuable experience and become part of this beloved summer tradition by applying to be a camp counselor!
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We Asked: How often does your student text? |
Thank you to all who joined us for Parents & Family Weekend! We were thrilled to host you on campus. During the event we asked how Gaucho families stay connected during the academic year. Hear what families had to say.
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New UCSB student housing projects progressing on schedule |
The UC Board of Regents has approved the scope, design and budget for UC Santa Barbara’s East Campus Student Housing Project, which will provide 1,688 beds (412 replacement beds and 1,276 new beds) on the university’s main campus. Along with the San Benito project that is already under construction, it is a key component of meeting UCSB’s goal to add 3,500 new beds on campus as part of its 2010 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). The East Campus project plan will now advance to the California Coastal Commission, with construction anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026.
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The UCSB Library is now home to a treasure trove of incredibly rare and historic American music recordings thanks to a new collaboration with the nonprofit Dust-to-Digital Foundation. Learn more about this partnership.
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Resource of the Month: Student Parent Liaison |
UCSB offers a broad range of services and resources to support students in all aspects of their time with us. However, the wealth of support can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly when life gets stressful. That’s where our Student Parent Liaison comes in. From helping students get connected with academic advising to supporting students and their families during times of deep stress or sadness, our Student Parent Liaison Dr. Emma Parker is here to support your needs. A few of the most common questions she answers are:
What happens if a student needs to take a break from school? Students and their families are often surprised by how simple it is to withdraw from school. Simply fill out the form on the Registrar’s website (making sure to indicate that you’d like to be considered for readmission next quarter) and the form will be routed appropriately. No doctor’s note or other documentation is required.
What happens when a student is injured and needs to return to campus with accommodations? In some cases students may be eligible for accommodations from the Disabled Students Program such as note-taking services or assistive programs to help with dictating assignments. Our Mobility Transportation Program also offers a golf cart service for students who have mobility challenges and need help getting from their residence to class and back.
What if you’re concerned about your student’s wellbeing? You, as our students' families, know them much better than we do, and as such, you may be the first ones to notice that something seems off. In most cases, the best first step is to have a conversation with your student about how they’re doing. Remind your student that mental health services are available at no additional charge during business hours at our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or 24/7 by calling 805-893-4411. If your concerns persist, you can make a referral to our Student Mental Health Coordination Services team either by leaving a voicemail at 805-893-3030 or by submitting the form online. A trained mental health professional will reach out to your student within 24 business hours to check on them and offer support. If you have immediate concerns about your student’s safety, you should always call 911.
When a student is hospitalized. We are always very sorry to hear when one of our students is in the hospital. If your student is hospitalized, the best first step is for them to contact their instructors if they’re able to do so. If they’re not able to reach out, please contact the Student Parent Liaison, who can make outreach to instructors on a student’s behalf.
Although many families connect with Emma during times of particular stress, there is no question too small. If you have concerns and think your student needs support or just aren’t sure who to call, the Student Parent Liaison is here to help. Please feel free to reach out to Emma at (805) 893 - 4521 or email sa-studentparentliaison@ucsb.edu at any time for support.
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Parent & Family Resources |
Stay Connected and Informed
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Academic Calendar
Information on quarterly instruction dates and holidays.
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.
Campus Map
UC Santa Barbara’s newly launched, interactive campus map can help you navigate our beautiful campus on your next visit.
Club & Guest House
Visit your student and stay in UCSB's boutique hotel with 34 guest rooms, a restaurant with fine-dining lunch service, and event facility conveniently located on campus with lagoon and ocean views.
The Current
UC Santa Barbara’s official news source. Subscribe now!
Gaucho Parents Facebook Page
The official UCSB Parents & Family Facebook page.
Gaucho Parents Website
Connects parents and supporters of UCSB students to valuable resources and offices on campus in order to better address questions and concerns.
Parent & Family Giving
Interested in getting more involved with UCSB? Learn how parents can make an impact at our University.
Student Affairs Departments & Resources
A centralized list of all services in Student Affairs and the easiest ways to contact departments.
University & Community Housing Services
Handles all housing processes for UCSB residence halls and apartments, and offers resources for community housing such as rental listings, conflict resolution, and rental advice.
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University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5020 US
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