Senate discusses use for new university property and announces campus safety app

At its first meeting of the quarter, the Associated Students Senate discussed community input for UCSB’s newly purchased property at 410 State Street and announced plans to implement a campus safety app called "Safe Zone."

The Associated Students Senate met on April 1 for its first meeting of the quarter to discuss use of a recently purchased UCSB property and campus safety measures. Interim A.S. Executive Director Sean Lieberman said the university bought the building at 410 State Street in January 2026 and is seeking student input on how to use the space. The Senate also heard that the committee on student safety is working with campus to implement a new app called "Safe Zone" to replace the current safety alert system. The meeting included funding requests, proposed legislation, and a closed-session personnel recommendation. Meeting highlights: - UCSB purchased the property at 410 State Street in January 2026 and A.S. leaders are soliciting ideas from the student body on its future use. - The committee on student safety is coordinating with campus to adopt a safety app called "Safe Zone," which, according to First President Pro Tempore Evan Sussman, would allow escorted-walk requests and direct contact with police among other features. - Interim CLAS Director Emma Cristofani-Tran requested funding for productivity pods priced between roughly $48,000 and $94,000 to be installed on the third floor of the Student Resource Building. - A proposal was introduced to end the monetary component of the Outstanding Boards, Committees and Units (BCU) awards; the bill was referred to the liaison committee. - The Senate passed a resolution formally supporting further campus consideration of Mapache, a student-made automated FAQ website, opening additional conversations between its developer and A.S. staff and administrators. - After a closed session, the Senate voted to recommend "without reservations" that the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life hire Interim Executive Director Sean Lieberman as the Executive Director. Summary: The meeting combined planning for a recently acquired property with steps toward updating campus safety tools and student services. Several items were referred for further review or implementation, including funding requests and proposed changes to awards. The Senate formally supported continued consideration of the Mapache FAQ site and recommended hiring the interim executive director; details on final administrative decisions are undetermined at this time.