In episode two of our series, Unmasking Isla Vista: University & Students, KCSB's Ashley Rusch and Daily Nexus reporter Sindhu Ananthavel narrow in on UC Santa Barbara's response to four major topics: academic dishonesty, mental health, international students, and housing.

We speak with Geo Lucero, the 2021-22 Student Advocate General and former Internal Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Student Advocate, regarding the university's response to academic dishonesty during the pandemic. UCSB Communication professor Walid Afifi offers insight into student mental health; we explore mental health from an international lens, highlighting the perspectives of UCSB graduate Tianyi Huang, an international Chinese student, and External Vice President for Statewide Affairs Esmeralda Quintero-Cubillian. Additionally, we speak to Billy Jankowski, the Associate Director for Residential and Community Living, discussing housing turbulence here in Isla Vista. 

Unmasking Isla Vista: A COVID-19 Community Archive is accessible as both a Daily Nexus article and a KCSB newsletter. You can find new articles and podcast episodes at dailynexus.com/unmasking-isla-vista/

Stay tuned for episode three of our series! Next week, KCSB’s Yulene Teagle and the Daily Nexus’ Atmika Iyer examine the efforts of UC Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Public Health Department in mitigating the spirit of the coronavirus in Unmasking Isla Vista: Testing & Vaccines. 

An enormous thank you to those who contributed to Unmasking Isla Vista: A COVID-19 Community Archive.

KCSB Journalists: Alexandra Goldberg, Daniel Huecias, Pia Ramos, Ashley Rusch, Yulene Teagle, and Jennifer Yoshikoshi

Daily Nexus Journalists: Sindhu Ananthavel, Atmika Iyer, Holly Rusch, Asumi Shuda, and Katherine Swartz

Daily Nexus Videographers: Evan Cacatian and Juliana Zappitell

Daily Nexus Artists and Graphic Creators: Hannah Appel, Noelle Chan, Luca Disbrow, Emerson Domingo, Natalie Fiorindo, Daniella Gomez, Alex Rudolph, and Kelly Yan

KCSB Artists: Madeline Miller and Shirley Wang

Daily Nexus Photographers: Pia Ramos and Kaiyi Yang

Thank you for listening!

Unmasking Isla Vista: University & Students

After a tumultuous meeting, the AS Senate passed a resolution to condemn Hamas and failed to pass one condemning antisemitism and Islamophobia. KCSB’s Joyce Chi and Zoha Malik explain the strong reactions to the two bills and the Senate meeting itself – support, criticism, and a major walkout.

[Correction: This story includes a statement that Senator Eric Carlson "attempted to resign from the Senate." To clarify, he attempted to resign as Second President Pro-Tempore, but has not yet. As of the November 29 AS meeting, he is still serving in that position.]

AS Senate Passes Resolution to Condemn Hamas, Amid Walkout Protest

Educational, alternative, and non-commercial. KCSB News is dedicated to covering underreported stories of local, national, and international importance. Our team of student and community journalists here in Santa Barbara County produces content encompassing a variety of topics, ranging from politics and public health to environmental affairs and the arts.  

You can listen to our newscasts on-air Monday and Thursday at 5:00 pm and new episodes of Inside Isla Vista on Wednesday at 5:00 pm, all on KCSB-FM 91.9 or at kcsb.org.

Unmasking Isla Vista: University & Students

KCSB News

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