Alexander Bondy

My name is Alexander Bondy, and I am running for the Off-Campus Senator as a member of the Save Isla Vista Party. I am a first-year Environmental Studies major, and while I may be new to UCSB, I am not new to showing up for my community.

During my first summer at UCSB, I fell in love with not just campus, but Isla Vista and Goleta as a whole. This admiration motivated me to immerse myself in every aspect of our community, and further emboldened me to become deeply invested in the improvement of our community. I was elected hall council president, where I worked to support my residents and their goals. Through this role, I learned how to use my position to advocate for student voices and push for real change through funding and consistent action.

Like many students, I am navigating college on my own. I understand what it feels like to carry financial pressure while succeeding academically. The reality is that housing in Isla Vista is not just expensive- it's overwhelming. Rent continues to rise while students are expected to keep up simply. For many of us, just staying here is the challenge. Nothing changes if we keep accepting what isn't working-and I'm ready to fight for something better.

The cost of living is not sustainable, and it needs to be addressed directly.

I support making Isla Vista its own city so that students have a real say in housing policies that impact them. With that, we can push for rent stabilization and stronger tenant protections. Students should not be treated as an easy profit. We deserve housing that is fair, stable, and accessible.

As an Off-Campus Senator, I will advocate for your affordable housing, support student-led initiatives, and ensure that student voices-especially those that often go unheard are represented. I will work alongside the Save Isla Vista Party to push for policies that prioritize students and build a stronger more unified community.