November 2022
Gaucho Parents & Family Newsletter
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Hello, Gaucho parents & families!
This month's newsletter includes information about Giving Tuesday, upcoming virtual Housing Fairs, words of gratitude from UCSB students, and more. We wish all our Gaucho families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
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- Save the Date for #GivingTuesday 2022! (November 29, 2022) Just after Thanksgiving is a global movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. On #GivingTuesday, see how UC Santa Barbara moves onward and upward with help from the collective generosity of our friends, families, and alumni.
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- Thanksgiving Holiday: November 24-25
- Fall Quarter Instruction Ends: December 2
- Fall Quarter Final Exams: December 3-9
- Winter Quarter Begins: January 9, 2023
- Link to Academic Calendar
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| A Needle in a Coastal Haystack
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A researcher at UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute recently discovered a small clam, previously known only from fossils, living at Naples Point, just up the coast from the university.
Learn more about the rediscovered clam.
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| A We Asked:
What are you grateful for this year?
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| Leah Stokes makes TIME100 NEXT List
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Leah Stokes, a UC Santa Barbara political science professor, is among TIME’s Top 100 Influential People of 2022. Find out why.
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| Virtual Housing Fair: November 23 & December 21
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Students and their families are invited to attend a Virtual Housing Fair to learn more about housing options on campus and in the nearby community for the 2023-24 academic year. Programs will run on November 23 and December 21 from noon to 1 pm. More information can be found on the UCSB University & Community Housing website. Attendees can use the QR code on the flyer provided on the website to join either session via Zoom.
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| Supporting your students during holiday breaks
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For many students, holiday breaks are the first time they will be leaving their residence hall/college life for an extended period of time and while they may be anxious to visit home, they may be surprised by how much they’ve changed in just a few short months. It is natural for there to be a readjustment period as families navigate the changes in daily structure, communication, self-determination, personal responsibilities, mental health, and self-care. You can expect that your student will be tired from exams, the hectic daily life of college, and their active social life. Please see below for tips on how to support your student’s success and help them recharge for either final exams or winter quarter.
- Ask open ended questions about their life at UCSB, classes, and how they manage stress.
- Model positive ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, meditation, rest, and utilizing social support.
- Be clear about expectations and plans for holidays. Finding the balance between planned family activities and independent time can best be navigated with open communication.
- Encourage self-care activities and be open to hearing how you can best offer support.
- Empower your student to seek out mental health and wellness support if they are struggling at home or share that they are struggling at UCSB.
- Remind them that grades do not define them and that you are proud of their efforts.
- Look for warning signs that could indicate your student is struggling with their mental health, even if they don’t share their difficulties:
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Engaging in dangerous or reckless behaviors
- Excessive anger or mood swings
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Encourage your student to utilize campus resources if they need support with basic needs, counseling, physical health, wellness programs, social connection, or personal safety.
- Submit an online referral to Student Mental Health Coordination Services if you are concerned about your student’s mental health and you want to ensure that someone from the university will reach out after the break to offer support. Please note this is not an emergency service.
- If your student is in distress, utilize Counseling and Psychological Services crisis counselors, available 24/7 even during the holiday breaks, by calling 805-893-4411.
Please know that your student benefits immensely from even small amounts of encouragement, support, and open communication with family. You are an important part of their success at UCSB!
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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.
UCSB 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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