Nadine Malhis

Local policy decisions directly shape the UCSB student experience from housing and transportation to public safety and the preservation of Isla Vista’s unique culture. As External Vice President for Local Affairs, I will ensure that students are not passive recipients of these decisions, but active participants in shaping them.

Recent actions by the Isla Vista Community Services District, including votes on noise ordinances that threaten long-standing, culture-defining events like Deltopia, have raised serious concerns among students. Isla Vista is not just a residential area — it is a student-centered community with traditions that matter. While safety and accountability are essential, policy decisions must be made with meaningful student input and an understanding of UCSB culture. I believe it is possible to protect public safety without erasing student traditions, and I will advocate for balanced, student-informed solutions.

Through my experience in Associated Students, I understand how to navigate institutional systems and engage effectively with local officials. I am committed to strengthening UCSB’s relationships with the City of Goleta, Santa Barbara County, and the IVCSD to ensure student voices are consistently represented especially when decisions directly affect student life.

My priorities include expanding tenant education and renter protections, increasing student involvement in housing and transportation planning, and advocating for Isla Vista policies that respect both community safety and student culture. Transparency is critical; students deserve clear communication and real opportunities to engage before major local decisions are finalized.

UCSB students deserve strong, prepared, and persistent representation. As EVPLA, I will advocate with professionalism, accountability, and a clear commitment to protecting the student experience in Isla Vista.