From the Desk of Willie Brown V8N7

I want to begin by thanking everyone who contributed to the operational success of closing out the 2025-2026 academic year. While supporting Commencement ceremonies and helping students move out, our HDAE teams also worked tirelessly to decommission Santa Rosa Residence Hall, the site of the East Campus project, now under construction and set to open in Fall 2028. Your efforts ensure the important transitions happening at this time of year were handled with the care and professionalism UC Santa Barbara has come to expect from Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises.

Thank you to Campus Dining, Distribution & Logistical Services, Residential Operations Grounds and Custodial teams, the Campus Store, Transportation & Parking Services, and the staff members from the University Center and Events Center. Each department plays a pivotal role in celebrating our graduates. 

This week marks another annual transition where HDAE shifts from housing nearly 10,000 student residents to preparing our facilities for summer conferees. This summer, we anticipate welcoming nearly 130 groups and 17,000 summer guests. Our work truly never stops, and I want to thank each of you for your efforts to provide excellent service to students, staff, faculty, and the broader community at UCSB day in and day out.

I hope you join me in celebrating the accomplishments included in this edition and the upcoming retirements this June. The Compass newsletter will pause during the summer months and return in late summer as move-in approaches (Save the Dates – September 16-20). Additionally, I look forward to sharing highlights of your incredible work from this academic year in the 2025–2026 annual report this fall. 

Until then, I hope you find time this summer to rest, recharge, and enjoy the Santa Barbara sunshine with your loved ones. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy summer,

WEB