I had to wrinkle my brow when I read that “anywhere from 800 to 900 City College students” live in Isla Vista. My polls on the first day of classes each semester (and chats with colleagues) suggest that the true number is likely much higher.
Like it or not, Isla Vista is a big part of many Vaqueros’ college experience. It’s convenient for Santa Barbara City College to dissociate from Isla Vista’s less savory elements (Deltopia, anyone? Everyone?), but our college is largely ignoring its opportunity and responsibility to really engage with our sizable proportion of students that choose Isla Vista living for its vibrant sense of community, creativity, and charm.