Gaucho Parent & Family Newsletter |
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Hello, Gaucho parents & families!
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Happy New Year! We hope your students returned to campus energized for winter quarter and are enjoying their new courses and reconnecting with campus resources. This month's newsletter includes a reminder about the Continuing Student Housing application for the 2026-27 school year, a highlight of UCSB Reads and its 20th anniversary book, tips for helping your student find connection on campus, and more.
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Reminders & Announcements |
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It's time for your continuing student to secure their on-campus housing for next year! Encourage your students to complete their application by Monday, January 26 at 11:59 p.m. Applications received by the deadline are considered on time and there is no preference given to applications submitted earlier in the week. Late applications will likely not receive an offer. Last year approximately half of on-time applicants received an offer through the continuing student housing lottery.
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The Summer 2026 Course Preview is now live! Students can browse a variety of courses designed to fulfill graduation requirements, explore new areas of interest, and engage with the UCSB community. By reviewing courses early, students can plan a summer schedule that supports both their academic progress and personal growth.
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- Parent giving at UCSB makes a tremendous impact on the undergraduate experience. A heartfelt thank you to all parents who included UCSB in their 2025 giving plans!
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The latest issue of UC Santa Barbara Magazine |
Get to know our newest Nobel laureates and, as always, there are highlights from across campus and lively alumni features aplenty. Read the Fall/Winter issue.
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Relive the year in research breakthroughs and milestones from UC Santa Barbara |
Take a spin through just a few of the innumerable achievements to come out of UCSB in 2025. Spoiler alert: They include potentially life-saving medical advances, new insights on gaming addiction, a first-of-its-kind quantum chip, and a pair of Nobel Prizes. Look back on 2025.
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UCSB Reads 20th Anniversary Year |
For its 20th anniversary year, UCSB Reads, the campus’s award-winning common book program, selected Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart,”and kicked off with a book giveaway for students at UCSB Library at the beginning of the quarter. Throughout the winter and spring quarters, the library will sponsor a variety of free learning, experiential and social events to explore the book’s themes, culminating with a free talk by the author on campus on May 7, 2026.
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The Power of Community at UCSB |
While the excitement of a new academic year has transitioned into the steady rhythm of classes and the midterms that are coming up quickly, this time of year can also bring a unique set of challenges. The "post-holiday slump" is a very real experience for many of our students as they navigate the shorter days and the academic rigors that intensify during the winter months.
At UC Santa Barbara, we believe that a student’s success is defined by much more than what happens inside the classroom. While academic excellence is our hallmark, research consistently shows that finding a sense of community is the single most important factor in a student’s overall well-being and persistence.
Why Connection Matters
It may seem like "joining a club" is just a social perk, but the data tells a much more impactful story. Studies in higher education show a direct correlation between campus involvement and academic success:
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Higher Retention Rates: Students who engage in at least one co-curricular activity are significantly more likely to persist to their second year and beyond. At UCSB, our freshman retention rate is an impressive 93%, a success we attribute largely to our vibrant campus life.
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Improved GPA: Research indicates that students involved in learning communities and student organizations often achieve higher GPAs than their less-involved peers. These groups provide "social glue"—peer support networks that make navigating difficult coursework less isolating.
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Career Readiness: Beyond the books, involvement in student leadership and organizations helps our students develop the "soft skills" employers are looking for: teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
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More Than 500 Ways to Belong
At UCSB, we have over 500 registered student organizations. We have academic and professional societies, cultural organizations, adventure and sports clubs, philanthropic opportunities, and music-centered student orgs…just to name a few categories.
How do you find these opportunities?
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Shoreline is UCSB’s official hub for all things involvement. Students can log in to browse organizations, view upcoming events, and join groups digitally.
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The Rec Cen offers everything from Gaucho R.E.C. classes to competitive sport clubs.
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Existing resource centers & connection points like the cultural resource centers and the Health & Wellness center in the Student Resource Building on the first floor. These spaces offer programming and physical spaces that provide students with more opportunities to connect over shared interests.
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As parents and family members, you are our greatest partners. During your next phone call, we encourage you to ask your student about their life outside of their academics. Instead of only asking "How are your grades?" consider asking:
"Have you checked out any new clubs on Shoreline lately?"
"Have you attended any fun campus events?"
"Is there a hobby or activity you’ve been wanting to try at the Rec Cen?"
Sometimes, a gentle nudge from home is all it takes for a student to take that first step toward a lifelong friendship or a new passion. Academics are incredibly important so sometimes hearing these questions can feel like they have “permission” to also explore the rest of campus life. Thank you for supporting your student as they build their community here at UCSB!
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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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