The 76th Associated Students Senate at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has officially endorsed the integration of Gaucho Bucks into student meal plans during its meeting on January 21. This resolution, presented by Senator Victoria Ly, aims to streamline students’ dining options by allowing them to use their meal plans at various retail dining establishments on campus without increasing overall student costs.
In addition to the meal plan integration, the Senate adopted a new policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) within the Associated Students (A.S.). This policy sets guidelines for acceptable AI usage, stipulating that its application must be clearly justified and ethically grounded. Prohibited uses include photo and video manipulations of students, unauthorized generation of legislation, and handling of private information. Acceptable applications, as outlined, include graphic generation, writing assistance for substantial reports, and analysis of the A.S. Legal Code.
The meeting also featured a report from Alex Borgas, a second-year political science student and member of the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). He announced an ongoing pledge drive aimed at funding their “Save the Oceans” and textbook affordability campaigns, with over 30,000 undergraduate students from the University of California system having pledged $10 each quarter.
In a separate initiative, Internal Compliance Officer Matthew Nelson, a first-year electrical engineering and economics double major, reported on outreach efforts to various College of Engineering departments regarding the potential creation of a minor. The Computer Science department has expressed interest in pursuing this initiative further.
During the meeting, A.S. President Le Anh Metzger, who is pursuing a triple major in Spanish, communication, and global studies, requested $43,300 for her office. This request included $11,300 for honoraria and $32,000 for special projects. However, the Senate did not approve the request, citing concerns over the lack of a formal itemized budget presentation.
Senator Neo Harter, a fourth-year history and global studies double major, presented a resolution condemning antisemitism following a recent incident of vandalism in Isla Vista. Harter emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for all students, stating, “Everyone at this campus deserves to feel safe and deserves to study in a safe environment regardless of your race [or] ethnicity.” The resolution was directed to the Outreach Committee for further consideration.
The Senate concluded the meeting by approving all appointments and resignations, including that of former Senator Caleb Claro, a fourth-year political science major. The meeting ended with a closed session to discuss internal staff organization and job descriptions, the details of which remain undisclosed.
This series of resolutions and discussions reflects the Senate’s commitment to addressing student needs and concerns at UC Santa Barbara, particularly as the university navigates evolving challenges within academic and social contexts.
See also
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