Anonymous, Class of 2023

With the Student Resource Building’s designated cultural spaces, it is nice to have a space of your own with people of similar cultural backgrounds and experiences. Although, it does not seem to promote much mingling. I do think there are some students where there is no such thing. Some of the clubs on campus are and can be diverse and inclusive. Resources include the Office of Black Student Development, National Society of Black Engineers, Black Women’s Health Club, BSU, and the designated study room in the Student Resource Building on campus. The OBSD does a great job at providing opportunities, safe space, and mentoring for the Black students on campus. However, I can not speak for my counterparts. I do believe that UCSB could be doing a much better job at supporting students of color by hiring more Black and brown professors, staff members, and faculty on campus. Representation matters, especially in STEM. I chose UCSB for its Environmental Department, and I have only ever had one Black male professor teach me in the Environmental Science Department– Professor D. Pellow, an extraordinary scholar, and individual. I do not feel as represented as I would like. Being a mixed Black womxn there are few of us on campus it feels. The demographic of campus is visibly predominantly white, Asian, and international students. The Black community on campus is pretty close and tight-knit from what I have seen in my year here. They try to reach out to one another and propose bonding times, a safe space to ask questions, and genuine friendships. I suggest being vocal and reaching out to these individuals. It will make your experience more enjoyable when you can find a familiar face in the crowd.