The Board of Supervisors has finally taken a step toward mitigating the unsanctioned Deltopia party by passing a 24-hour music ban. Sixteen years of Deltopia and Isla Vista’s endless weekend party scene have contributed to UCSB being recognized as the nation’s number one party school — a reputation that no university leader desires.
Despite this, the only UCSB voices heard by the supervisors were from entitled Associated Students (AS) representatives demanding that the party continue. UCSB has a new chancellor who, presumably, will work to end this debacle.
AS student representatives are not alone in their opposition. The Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), including Laura Capps’s appointed representative, voted unanimously against the ordinance. Capps, throughout her term in office, failed to control the party. When asked if the vote of Carrie Topliffe, her “adult” director, reflected her perspective, Capps responded, “I have over 60 appointments to boards and commissions and do not instruct them how to vote on the thousands of votes they take.” However implausible this sounds, Capps also admitted she did not agree with Topliffe’s vote. You cannot have it both ways — it’s time to remove Topliffe and appoint a permanent resident.
E. J. Raad, the “External Vice President for Local Affairs,” is the leading AS advocate for Deltopia. AS collects a staggering $13 million a year from student fees, yet Raad and his cohort, who manage this money, are “elected” by barely 20 percent of the student body. Indeed, if voter turnout drops below 20 percent, AS ceases to exist. In 2024, only 22.26 percent of students voted (4,795 ballots cast). AS’s failures under Henry Yang’s leadership are exemplified by the 2023 AS president suing UCSB. Alumni of UC schools: do you remember voting in these questionable AS elections? It’s time to audit this system.
AS student demands also reflect the lawlessness permeating Isla Vista, where residents can park on red curbs in front of fire hydrants without fear of tickets and host live bands at residential homes that disturb neighbors’ peace — all with impunity. This lawless party culture can have dangerous consequences, exemplified by a recent UCSB student found guilty of multiple sexual assaults in Isla Vista. Assaults on campus are on the rise.
UCSB’s new chancellor, Dennis Assanis, must become actively involved in ending this destructive culture. Deltopia, which his predecessor failed to control, is a good place to start. Eleven years ago, the Independent highlighted this issue; now it’s time to follow the lead of other party-infested schools by enforcing UCSB’s code of conduct.
The nation’s number one party school needs a “Dean Wormer” — someone with the authority and will to enforce discipline. End Deltopia immediately. Set up sobriety and ID checkpoints at all entry and exit points, and make it clear that 30,000 visitors are not welcome.
The continued national embarrassment for UCSB — with partiers overdosing, falling off cliffs, and county residents being denied emergency medical services — is unacceptable.
The 2nd District supervisor and UCSB must stop groveling to entitled brats, stop wasting millions of tax dollars, and start enforcing the law.
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Peter Neushul is a 40-year Isla Vista resident and property owner.
https://www.independent.com/2026/01/20/deltopia-and-the-nations-number-one-party-school/