Posted on July 8 at 9:11 p.m.

IV is an armpit that houses too many students, the rents are too high and the community is unmaintained. The tax dollars the students generate through the tuition we parents pay and the money students spend is clearly not reinvested into their community. I spent a great deal of time assisting my student from afar during this weekends crisis. Though she is technically no longer a resident of IV but resides in SB all of the student community is in a very different place than many of the more established residents of the community. Many of the students likely did not have the usual household supplies that more established homes have so they were far less prepared. When the power went out so does internet for most and they were isolated. UCSB did nothing for its student community! This piece may not be hard core jounalism but it does tell a story and therefore has its place. It would have been nice for some of these able young people to see if the shelter might have needed assistance to set up, or an elderly person that could not go outside because of the air quality needed help with a pet. But to stand in judgment of these young people and their perception of the experience is to miss the opportunity they had to learn and do something different next time they are in a crisis. Gaining experience is a student's job.

On I.V. Responds to the Gap Fire

Posted on July 5 at 11:31 a.m.

ErikaB thank you for the map!!!! I am trying to assist my UCSB student through this crisis and the map is just what I need. The Independent has also been a great resource to rely on. The UCSB campus has done nothing for its student community residing off campus!

On Update From Friday Afternoon Gap Fire Press Conference