Dear Parents

Welcome to UC Santa Barbara! We are very pleased that you are here to get to know more about what life will be like for your daughters and sons as they begin their careers as part of our learning community. And I hope that you will continue your involvement with our campus community in the future, for parents are indispensable members of our UCSB family. We value your participation and appreciate your involvement.

I have experienced your feelings of concern about separating from your sons and daughters-and about their anticipation of independent lives away from home. I understand your desire to learn as much as possible about how we support students as they pursue their educational and career goals and maintain the personal values you have taught them.

Counseling students to make good choices in all aspects of their lives is a vital part of our educational mission. My wife, Dilling, and I live on campus, and counseling and encouraging students has become a fulfilling part of our lives. UCSB offers many programs and services designed to enable students to become more sensitive to their own needs, as well as the needs of others, and so provide avenues for meeting all those needs. We also concentrate on helping students gain a better appreciation of the values and attitudes of community members from widely different backgrounds. We strive to create an environment where students are not only excited about developing their own potential, but also motivated to contribute to the personal development of their peers.

Education, of course, is not limited to the college years-it is a lifelong endeavor. We hope so give our students such a solid education that they will be motivated and equipped with skills to keep learning throughout their lives.

The investment in education you are making today, at a time when your daughters and sons need it most, will pay important dividends for the rest of their lives. It is the happiest and most timely investment you can make for the future of your family and society.

I hope you enjoy your time on campus, and I invite you to return time and again. As proud parents of our treasured students, you will always be a vital part of our UCSB family. And you will always be welcome.

Sincerely,