AS Senate Recap – 02/11/2026

The AS Senate is a group of elected student representatives which serves as the policy-making body of Associated Students. Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM, the AS Senate convenes to pass bills and resolutions, hear reports from Boards, Committees, and Units (BCUs), and hold public forum.

KCSB’s Tatiana Jacquez brings you a recap of their latest meeting on February 11th, 2026.

• Introducing Indivisible Isla Vista: Isla Vista has launched its very own chapter of the nationwide organization, Indivisible, which as over 2,000 chapters fighting for the protection and advocacy of human rights. Founding members Julianna Johnson, Tallula Boreman, and Kira Valles-Knoll gave public comment on their recent endeavors, including an ICE Out of IV event on February 7th, and further raising awareness of immigration enforcement presence in Santa Barbara.
• The organization’s next steps include recalling Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, who they allege has failed to properly denounce ICE. Indivisible IV is planning to “mass send” letters to Sheriff Brown’s P.O. Box in Lompoc, condemning his lack of action.
• Cotlali Sanchez presented a funding proposal for Raices De Mi Tierra: Dazantes Unidos. Senator Manakova noted the Finance Committee is awaiting confirmation from the EVPSA’s Office for approval for use of the USSA Fund.

 

• Funding Allocations: 
  • Senators unanimously approved a motion to allocate $10,000 from Senate Unallocated to Isla Vista Community Services District’s Isla Vista Cityhood Fiscal Analysis Initiative, following IVCSD’s presentation at the 02/04 meeting.
    • The funds would only be allocated should a Memorandum of Understanding between Associated Students and IVCSD go into effect. The funding would allow the analysis to determine the likelihood and logistics of Isla Vista becoming a city.
  • $2,000 were allocated from the Academic’s Team Account for Speech Forensics’s Regional Championship Tournament at Moorpark College. The allocated funds would fund hotels for contestants, however the team’s initial budget request was just over $6,000.
  • $2,900 were allocated to the Outreach Committee for Honoraria.
  • The AS Internal VP’s Public Relations Coordinator was approved for up to $95 to print a AS Late Night Study Notice poster for publicity purposes.
  • The Senate approved up to $32,000 for the AS Internal Controls Modernization Proposal allocated from the Improvements Fund in Capital Reserves. The motion noted that contractual terms or vendors must receive Senate approval before any action is taken.
  • $11,300 were allocated from Senate Unallocated to the AS Office of the President to fulfill the remaining funds of their funding request.

• • The Senate introduced the following pieces of legislation:
    • A Resolution To Establish H.E.A.R.T (Health Education Access Resources and Tools) Temporary Committee (Manakova-Sherkin-Jiang):This resolution will establish a temporary committee to make healthcare resources more accessible by creating a centralized digital resource hub. The Senate referred this bill to the Advocacy Committee.
    • A Bill to create The Harter-Mirroknian Future Leaders in Governance Fellowship (Harter-Hepburn): This bill would create a fellowship for students interested in public service and law to have access to mentorship and professional development, connecting them with local and state officials. The Senate referred this bill to the Executive Committee.
    • HIP: Mobile Food Pantry (Harter-Ono): This High Impact Proposal would establish a Food Pantry for students in Isla Vista, offering canned and packaged food that exist within basic food pantries. The Senate referred this bill to the Advocacy Committee.

 

• The Senate passed/adopted the following pieces of legislation:
  • A Bill to Update Standing Policy 15 and Strengthen Transparency and Accountability Mechanisms(Jiang-Manakova):
    • This bill will update Policy 15: Conflicts of Interest, and clarifies that both financial and positional gain, and will ensure AS officials and appointees inform their committees about any conflicts of interest prior to voting on financial motions. 
  • A Resolution Requesting the Cancellation of the USSA Lock-In Fee (Iden-Luken):
    • This resolution calls on UCSB Chancellor to cancel the United States Student Organization (USSA) lock-in fee.
      • Senators cited concerns over the collection of this fee, citing UCSB’s lack of involvement within USSA for an estimated six years.
      • The resolution highlights the importance of using fees for their stated purpose, which are currently distributed by the External Vice President for State Affairs (EVPSA) Office to campus organizations in need of travel funds for conferences and competitions. 
    • This resolution was originally written by former AS Attorney General Taylor Iden, and brought forth to the Senate floor by Senators Sussman and Luken.
    • The Senate adopted the resolution in a unanimous vote.