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Dear KCSB listeners and Daily Nexus readers,
Unmasking Isla Vista is a collaborative, multimedia series made up of six components that will be released over the span of six weeks. The series will cover topics including Human Struggle, Testing & Vaccines, and Community Activism. Each section will be presented as a Daily Nexus article, KCSB News radio segment, and a KCSB newsletter. You'll find a new segment published every Monday at 10 AM.
– KCSB and Daily Nexus journalists
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Unmasking Isla Vista: Human Struggle
by Asumi Shuda, Atmika Iyer, Jennifer Yoshikoshi, and Alexandra Goldberg
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- The pandemic ushered in a year of isolation and drastic change worldwide. For the Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara communities, mental health issues and houselessness were especially magnified. Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said the county had concerns early on about social isolation among students in Isla Vista. "The concern [was] how people's expectations were so dashed. Many did come to UCSB, came to Isla Vista, but were cut off from a lot of the social activities, support, everything you come to college to experience."
- Some residents gathered in large numbers, despite COVID-19 restrictions. Isla Vista Foot Patrol issued three citations in April 2020, two in December 2020, and eight in January 2021. But through it all, peer-to-peer networks encouraged residents to abide by regulations and ensure the safety of the college town for the most part.
- "I think people like to focus on the fact that there were some gatherings, but in the scheme of things, when you look at the community...To have such a few repeat offenders was really a testament to the commitment that most young people in I.V. had to adhere to. We were all really impressed by that," district representative for 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann's office, Gina Fischer said.
- Mental health struggles were of particular concern. Students' mental well-being was influenced by a myriad of factors, including technology access and lack of structure. The digital divide – the wedge between individuals who have access to technology and those who do not – was especially impactful during remote learning. While some were able to "thrive" in the remote environment, others were put at a major disadvantage. "I've talked to...students that were out in their car in front of fast-food restaurants because that's where they could get technology," psychologist and assistant clinical director of Counseling and Psychological Services Janet Osimo said.
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- The most common issues students faced were anxiety and isolation. Osimo said rates of isolation and loneliness were far higher than anything she had seen prior to COVID-19. Another issue she witnessed among students was a decrease in confidence to plan for future events or tasks. Those who struggled with pre-existing mental health issues experienced their symptoms exacerbated during the pandemic.
- Isla Vista's houseless population faced unique struggles. When houseless shelters had to decrease their number of residents to abide by social distancing guidelines, many residents were forced to live on the streets. The number of encampments began to build, leading to about 75 to 100 houseless individuals coming into Isla Vista at the peak. Dense and cluttered encampments led to three – Camino Corto Open Space, Sueno Orchard, and Del Sol Vernal Pool Reserve – being swept.
- For many houseless residents, Isla Vista had been a safer option than surrounding areas that proved more hostile. Food Not Bombs volunteer Gina Sawaya explained that a lot of folks came "from LA and Santa Barbara who were living in...really rough environments where they were constantly carrying around their belongings, they couldn't leave anything behind without it getting stolen, they were constantly harassed by the police, constantly being told to move, just being shuffled around."
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- The tiny homes are presented as an alternative housing option. In December 2020, Joan Hartmann's office worked with the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District (IVRPD) to install 20 temporary eight-by-eight pallet homes in the parking lot of the Isla Vista Community Center, designed to function for a six-month period. According to Kimberlee Alberts, the county's homeless assistance program manager, 41 houseless individuals were served during the program in total.
- Isla Vista's next temporary shelter option will be a dormitory-like facility. The project will be run by Good Samaritan Shelter – the same agency that managed the pallet homes. The goal is to offer a transitional housing option to allow accepted houseless residents to secure permanent housing.
- Isla Vista residents were praised for their resilience. Through it all, Hartmann said their attitude allowed community members to support each other. "Many of the young people in Isla Vista turned out to be amazingly resilient, and one of the things that surprised me was how eager they were to follow through with public health guidance, and how they wanted to assist in educating their peers," Hartmann said.
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About KCSB News:
KCSB News is a team of volunteer reporters, students, and community members who contribute to the KCSB 5 pm Newscast (Mondays/Thursdays) and Inside Isla Vista (Wednesdays at 5 pm) on 91.9 FM and KCSB.org. To listen to recent news stories go to soundcloud.com/kcsbfm.
Report for KCSB News! No experience is necessary; we will train you. Email news@kcsb.org to find out how. Got a news tip? Send it to news@kcsb.org.
About the Daily Nexus:
The Daily Nexus continues to be the go-to source to stay up-to-date on all things involving UCSB's campus and Isla Vista. We offer positions for writers, photographers, artists, and any creative souls interested in immersing themselves in culture and information. The Nexus provides a fast-paced environment for aspiring journalists, as well as learning opportunities for students who want to explore the stories that define our community. Check out recent news stories here.
Get involved with the Daily Nexus! No prior experience is necessary, and all UCSB students are welcome. Each section has its own application, and art, photography, copy, and production teams require applicants to submit a sample of their work. Email news@dailynexus.com for more information on how to join.
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