UC Santa Barbara Offering Students Travel Reimbursement in Wake of Mudslides

The deadly mudslides in California have caused havoc in certain parts of the state. And that includes higher education.

Chancellor Henry T. Yang announced in an email to students at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) that those who live south of Montecito will be eligible for reimbursement for commuting costs due to the closure of Highway 101.

According to a report in the UCSB newspaper, The Daily Nexus, the funds to reimburse students will come from private university resources. Faculty and staff are also eligible for the offer.

The mudslides have claimed 20 lives to date, mainly near the town of Montecito, with several citizens still unaccounted for. 

The Thomas Fire, which burned through Ventura and Santa Barbara County, and the mudslides that followed heavy rain in those areas, have had an impact on several California colleges. 

In the case of UCSB , poor air quality led to cancelation of classes and ultimately finals for many students were either canceled or postponed, extending fall quarter into the initially scheduled week of winter quarter.

According to the Daily Nexus, Santa Barbara City College postponed the start of their spring semester until Jan. 22 due to the road closures and Westmont College canceled classes from Jan. 6 through Jan. 12. The campus reopened Monday, Jan. 15, and classes will resume this week.

Students began to arrive back on the UCSB campus, which is approximately 30 minutes south of Montecito, yesterday. There was a vigil held Sunday evening at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse to mourn the victims.