University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB)

500 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA

University of California - Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a public research university located roughly 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The palm-lined, 1,000 plus acre campus is situated along the Pacific Ocean, with views of the ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains.

A part of the prestigious University of California system since 1944, UCSB has been named one of America's best colleges, and has frequently ranked as one of its "hottest colleges" over the past 10 years. UCSB offers more than 200 degree majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with top programs in humanities and the arts, engineering and the sciences. It is known for its pioneering research and renowned faculty. The UCSB faculty includes multiple winners of Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellowships, and several Nobel Prize winners.

Two off-campus UCSB programs include the Education Abroad Program, and the UCSB Washington Center program, which offers students the opportunity to spend a quarter on the East Coast working in various internships in the offices of elected officials, the media and others. Continuing education is offered through UCSB Extension.

History

The University of California - Santa Barbara was originally founded as a small and independent teacher's college. It became one of the universities of the prestigious University of California system in 1944.

Academics

The academic calendar of UCSB follows the quarter format, with fall, winter and spring quarters

Colleges and Schools

• College of Creative Studies
• College of Engineering
• College of Letters & Science
• Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
• Gevirtz Graduate School of Education

Student Life

UCSB has a very active Office of Student Life (OSL) that organizes many special activities on campus including After Dark, Student-Initiated Outreach Programming, Community Grants, Leadership Development programs, and more. Students at UCSB can join one of the hundreds of student clubs or organizations, representing a wide range of academic, social, cultural, religious and other interests.

Greek Life is an important component of student culture at UCSB, and approximately 10 percent of undergraduates belong to a fraternity or sorority.

On campus housing is available, and there are many off-campus housing opportunities available in neighboring Isla Vista or Santa Barbara.

Traditions

The UCSB school colors are gold and blue, with white as an accent color.

The mascot is the Gaucho, and the men and women's athletic teams are the UCSB "Gauchos." The inspiration for choosing as a mascot this Argentine cowboy, known as a "Gaucho," came from the Douglas Fairbanks's 1927 film The Gaucho. The female students of UCSB led a vote to change the school mascot from the original Roadrunners.

Another UCSB tradition has to do with the fans of the school's athletic teams. Known for their rowdy energy, the Gaucho "Locos" are an independent cheering group of students that attends games clad in gold t-shirts to demonstrate their school pride and support of the UCSB athletes. Loco translates as "crazy" in Spanish. The group's motto is "Unleash the Loco."

Athletics

The UCSB "Gauchos" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross County
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Indoor Track
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming and Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo

Satellite Campuses

UCSB has its main campus in Santa Barbara. Some courses are held in academic halls situated in neighboring Isla Vista. UCSB Extension courses are offered at convenient locations throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Community Life

UCSB offers students a close-knit college community. Many students live on campus or within walking or cycling distance from campus, and have easy access to many athletic, social, cultural, recreational and academic events and activities. The UCSB campus is adjacent to the Santa Barbara and Isla Vista communities. Both cities offer additional housing, and a host of recreational, cultural and entertainment activities. The area is very scenic, and many parks, beaches and cycling trails offer opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.