The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels
Sofia Stavins

Sofia Stavins, News Editor

FSpring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024

All content by Sofia Stavins
Academic Senate Banner

Dual enrollment pros and cons discussed at Academic Senate

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
April 29, 2024
Courtesy image from Amazon, "The Divine Feminine."

Finding the love and confidence in myself with “The Divine Feminine”

Sofia Stavins, Associate Editor
April 27, 2024
The Channels Spring 2024 editors bunch up on April 24 at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. For the first time since the coronavirus, The Channels is comprised of a full editorial staff, comprised of eight editors.

Editors’ List: What do you wish you knew before attending college?

Julia Torres, Cebelli Pfeifer, Sylvia Stewart, Sofia Stavins, Ruby Cobourn, Angel Corzo, Claire Geriak, and Anthony Zell
April 26, 2024
The beach-side houses on Del Playa drive that host countless UCSB and SBCC students are on their last legs on Oct. 28 in Isla Vista, Calif. With local law only making the fencing requirement four feet tall, the towering bluffs have taken numerous students lives.

BREAKING: Victim of fatal cliff fall has now been identified, UCSB alum

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
April 22, 2024
This illustration shows people protesting on a street about abortion rights in front of a closed Planned Parenthood. Abortion rights vary from state to state.

Abortion rights differ as years pass since Roe V. Wade was ruled in 1973

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
April 22, 2024
Collage of stills from video interviews The Channels conducted for a project revolving around the upcoming presidential election.

The Channels asked the community for their thoughts on the upcoming presidental election

Angel Corzo, Sofia Stavins, Claire Geriak, Ruby Cobourn, Cebelli Pfeifer, Sylvia Stewart, Julia Torres, Taajvi Singh, Anneli Larson, and Jack Connell
April 19, 2024
Academic Senate Banner

Teaching and learning committee aims to support SBCC initiatives

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
April 15, 2024
Illustration by Alloy Zarate, 2020

Cross Currents: Should celebrities use their platforms to speak out against injustice?

Sofia Stavins and Izadora Hamm
April 7, 2024
Voices: "What is your hottest take?"

Voices: “What is your hottest take?”

Sofia Stavins, Anneli Larson, and Brenda Greening
April 5, 2024
Academic Senate Banner

Senate discusses resources for student aid with Guided Pathways

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
March 18, 2024
Courtesy of Dina Castillo's Family.

SBCC remembers the impactful life of Spanish professor Dina Castillo

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
March 15, 2024
Faculty met from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 11 in the Administration Building Room 211 in Santa Barbara, Calif. for a budget forum held by Superintendent President Erika Endrijonas, Assistant Superintendent Brian Fahnestock, and Maria Villagómez. Many issues were discussed such as budget cuts, decline in enrollment, and solutions to the issues at hand.

[Photo] Budget Forum unveils strategies for financial recovery amid budget crisis

Jack Connell, Staff Writer
March 15, 2024
Academic Senate Banner

Faculty concerned with budget and campus issues at Academic Senate

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
March 4, 2024
Academic Senate Banner

Academic Senate discuss Follett corporation taking over bookstore

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
February 19, 2024
Caroline Hatcher, a member of the Biology club, hands a snake to Gabriel Santamaria, a student at City College, on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Santa Barbara, Calif. The club brought many reptiles for students and faculty to see at their stand.

Photo Gallery: Club day offers students opportunity to get involved on campus

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
February 16, 2024
A crowd filters in and out of a house party to crowd surf, dance with friends, and tune into local music on Feb. 9 in Isla Vista, Calif. Beginning on Feb. 10, house party capacity is capped at 250 people, along with new party regulations enforced by Isla Vista Foot Patrol, with potential for these late-night gigs to be shut down if any new rules are violated.

New regulations set to Isla Vista noise ordinance by Sheriff’s office

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
February 10, 2024
A City College student's car displays multiple parking permits to follow new regulations for the spring 2024 semester on Feb. 1 in Santa Barbara, Calif. As a result of these new parking orders, some City College students have received parking tickets with a fine due to not complying with the newfound ordinance.

Designated carpool spots enforced for the remainder of this semester

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
February 1, 2024
ASG

Student senate struggling to secure new space for displaced prayer room

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
January 29, 2024
Community members in Santa Barbara march down State St. advocating for women's rights on Jan. 20 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Participants brought both homemade signs and posters from Planned Parenthood reading "Abortion is Health Care" and "a woman's place is in the resistance."

Women’s March attendees on State Street advocate for women’s rights

Sofia Stavins, News Editor
January 26, 2024
Zine issue #1, 'How do you envision our environmental future?'

Zine issue #1, ‘How do you envision our environmental future?’

Claire Geriak, Angel Corzo, Sofia Stavins, and Delaney Newhouse
November 27, 2023
Edgar Alvarez standing in front of the nonfiction section on Wednesday, Nov. 1 inside the Luria Library at City College campus in Santa barbara, Calif. Nonfiction is Alvarez favorite genre of books.

Edgar Alvarez welcomed as new resident librarian in Luria Library

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
November 5, 2023
Hats, tops, pants, and more being sold in boxes at the flea market at the Santa Barbara High School on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Customers can pay as little as one dollar for clothing items.

[Photo] SBHS flea market brings community together while fundraising for school

Julia Torres, Staff Writer
November 5, 2023
From left, Sofia Stavins, Claire Geriak (on wagon), Delaney Newhouse below, and Angel Corzo gather in front of a wagon on Oct. 20 at Lane Farms in Santa Barbara, Calif. These four make up The Channels editorial board for the fall 2023 semester.

Editor’s List: What was your most memorable Halloween costume?

Sofia Stavins, Delaney Newhouse, Angel Corzo, and Claire Geriak
October 31, 2023
The beach-side houses on Del Playa drive that host countless UCSB and SBCC students are on their last legs on Oct. 28 in Isla Vista, Calif. With local law only making the fencing requirement four feet tall, the towering bluffs have taken numerous students lives.

[Photo] If our local government doesn’t want to protect students, action falls to us

Editorial Board
October 29, 2023
From left, Julie Stavins, Sofia Stavins and Ian Mayster huddle together for a group photo in 2011 in Chicago, Ill. The Stavins and Mayster families always made an effort to meet for family gatherings while the Stavins lived in Chicago.

Dear mom, the woman who made me who I am: I am so proud of you

Sofia Stavins, Associate Editor
October 13, 2023
A local Isla Vista band, Dawn Patrol, performing on Oct 5 in Acorn Park in Isla Vista Calif. Dawn Patrol's first appearance was in April of 2023, and have been playing consistently in Santa Barbara County since.

Isla Vista’s back to school night features bands, vendors and more

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
October 6, 2023
The cast of Emma, based off Jane Austin's novel, rehearse in the vacant Garvin Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Santa Barbara, Calif. With more than a week until their first performance, the SBCC Theatre Group has switched gears to incorporate Luke Hamilton's role as Frank Churchill after the death of his friend Benny Schurmer.

The show must go on! “Emma” cast changes gears after student’s death

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
October 6, 2023
Erika Endrijonas now serves as City College's superintendent-president since Aug. 1. Endrijonas is getting back into the loop of things at City College after returning to the campus since her departure in 2009.

Erika Endrijonas is hoping to provide stability as she comes back to SBCC

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
September 30, 2023
The mural celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander culture gleams in the sunshine outside of City College's Campus Center in Santa Barbara, Calif. The mural was a collaboration between the AAPI+ community on City College campus, and the Twin Walls Mural Company based in California's Bay Area.

New campus center mural features Asian and Desi American heritage

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
September 25, 2023
From left, Elias Serena, Susan Sarrasco and Thomas Carrasco shine after their performance at Carrasco's curation of Xicana/o/x Time and Space on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the Atkinson Gallery. The trio unite as the comedy troupe "Chicano Secret Service", featuring political satire skits, prompting laughter and encores from the crowd.

Ethnic studies professor examines Chicano culture in Atkinson exhibit

Sofia Stavins, Associate Editor
September 20, 2023
Libby Wilmer, the Associated Student Government president, standing outside of the student senate room on Sept. 7 at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. ASG meets in this room every friday morning at 9 a.m.

ASG President Libby Wilmer reaches purpose and community in her office

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
September 15, 2023
Editors' List: What was something you learned over summer?

Editors’ List: What was something you learned over summer?

Claire Geriak, Angel Corzo, Delaney Newhouse, and Sofia Stavins
September 15, 2023
From left Trustee Anna Everett and Jonathan Abboud, president of the Board of Trustees, present Kindred Murillo with the framed resolution in front of the gathering for Murillo's retirement event on Aug. 30 at the Campus Center Umoja Mural at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

SBCC community bids adieu to esteemed former President Kindred Murillo at retirement ceremony

Sofia Stavins, Features Editor
August 31, 2023

The Channels staff share their end of the semester takeaways

Claire Geriak, Bailey Schroerlucke, Emma Welch, Sunny Silverstein, and Sofia Stavins
May 12, 2023
The City College website highlights the steps necessary for international students to enroll in classes at City College. Photo illustration by Sofia Stavins.

[Photo] International students: what to know to survive school at SBCC

Chloe McKay, Staff Writer
May 5, 2023
From the left stands Margie Bushman and Wesley Roe on April 27 at Majorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. Both introduce the film "Stewart Udall and the Politics of Beauty".

The film ‘The Politics of Beauty’ shines a light on climate change

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
May 4, 2023
The band "Girl from the North County" playing at the JAMS benefit concert hosted by City College Phi Theta Kappa on April 14 in Santa Barbara, Calif

Phi Theta Kappa hosts benefit concert for local music program

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
April 17, 2023
The advisor of the biology club, Blake Barron, stands to the left of Jack Foster, the president of the club on April 7 in the Earth Science building at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Baron asks the class to raise their hands if anyone has taken CHEM 155 OR CHEM 156.

Biology Club provides extensive opportunities for science lovers

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
April 15, 2023

Voices: “Who should pay on the first date?”

Sofia Stavins, Sunny Silverstein, and Delaney Newhouse
April 11, 2023
Sarah Leonard Sheahan speaking in front of the Women's Political Committee about her take on the right wing narrative on March 31. Sheahan shared her personal experiences to a crowd at SOhO Restaurant and Music Bar in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Sarah Sheahan slams right-wing extremism: ‘Just call it what it is’

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
April 3, 2023
The Vaqueros end their team huddle, moving to the dugout to get ready to bat at the bottom of the inning of the first game of the doubleheader. Melanie Barth, number 15, is staring out into the crowd that came for the game on Saturday, March 4 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Vaqueros softball deadlocked match against Chaffey College

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
March 6, 2023
Kia Kofoed (left) and Sabrina Forbes (right) show their competitiveness for the sport of lacrosse in Santa Barbara Calif. The women are City College’s co-captains for the women’s lacrosse team. The two players stand together on Wednesday, March 1.

Passionate lacrosse players pioneer a new version of sports

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
March 3, 2023
Emelie Beckman gives a speech to those who gathered for the opening ceremony of the prayer room on Feb. 24 in the courtroom outside the Administration Building at City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. Beckman was inspired to open this room because of a friend who was needing to leave campus up to five times a day to pray.

Prayer and meditation room on East campus now open for all

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
February 27, 2023
The Umoja mural is painted on the side of the Cafeteria at City College, in Santa Barbara, Calif. The mural features historic books written by Black authors.

The Umoja Program relaunches English courses for it’s students

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023
Sofia Stavins was doing homework outside on East Campus when her friend Lauren Venhaus told her to smile for a photo on Feb. 15 in Santa Barbara Calif.

I learned to put myself first after escaping my toxic relationship

Sofia Stavins, Staff Writer
February 17, 2023
Load More Stories