Aida Hurtado replaced María Herrera-Sobek as the new chair of the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UCSB. Hurtado transferred from UC Santa Cruz, where she worked as a psychology scholar for 20 years. Read more.

UCSB Art Professor George Legrady showed his project at the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad Festival. The two-screen projection installation, “We Are Stardust,” traces the observations of the Spitzer Space Telescope during its five-year orbit around Earth. Read more.

With more than $2 million in budget reductions, UCSB cut 160 classes and 75 sections this quarter, leaving students battling for a seat in classrooms and lecture halls. Increased student enrollment makes registering for classes even more difficult. Case-by-case, students facing graduation deadlines may enroll in online courses from alternative institutions to meet requirements. Read more.

UCSB Associated Students collected nearly $25,000 in donations from the local community in response to the earthquake devastation in Haiti. The organization plans to match this amount, and distribute funds equally between Lambi Fund of Haiti and Direct Relief International. Read more.

Because of the dwindling job market, UCSB departments plan to hire fewer soon-to-be graduates. Although many see working for the UC as an optimal transition into real-life employment, current economic turmoil makes it an unlikely path for future alumni. Read more.

Students interested in honing their screen writing skills had the opportunity to work with industry professionals during “Word Farm” in January. The intensive workshop offered experience as well as networking opportunities within the film and media fields. Read more.

When it comes to falling in love, researchers have found that “having chemistry” means exactly what it sounds like. Recent studies involving UCSB researchers show that certain physiological processes occur when we meet our romantic partners, and such reactions can be harnessed to improve love life down the road. Read more.

UCSB’s Palm Center is responsible for much of the progression made towards lifting the ban on gays in the U.S. military. The center has conducted two decades of research and will be highly influential in upcoming legislation change. Read more.

The UC Student Association is holding a rally at the Capitol on March 1 to support making higher education a state priority. UC President Mark Yudof and other university leaders will join students in visiting legislators that day. Read more.

The UC Santa Barbara men's soccer team defeated the Mexico U-20 Men's National Team in a shootout Tuesday night at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium. The exhibition game was played in front of several hundred passionate fans. Read more.

Scientist Amory Lovins will explore a possible fossil fuel-free future by showing what makes sense and makes money during his free lecture at 2 p.m. March 5 in UCSB's Corwin Pavilion. The event is part of Environmental Studies 40th anniversary series. Read more.

The 4th annual All Gaucho Reunion, set for April 23-25, will be packed with fun events so register now to secure your all-access weekend pass. By registering, you will automatically be in the running for a $200 gas card, courtesy of Geico. Events will include:

Former UCSB women's basketball head coach Mark French was introduced as a "Legend of the `Dome" last month. French retired in 2008 after 21 seasons at the helm of the Gauchos, taking a moribund program and turning it into one of the premier women's basketball schools on the West Coast. Read more.

Legendary Turkey & The Turquoise Coast - May 1-15, 2010 - On this UCSB exclusive departure limited to 28 guests, visit remote villages, explore fascinating archeological sites, and cruise the magnificent Turquoise Coast in a privately chartered yacht. Register soon to participate as this trip is selling quickly. Click here to find out more.

Alaska's Inside Passage - July 16-23, 2010 - Experience the wild beauty of Alaska's Inside Passage from the comfort of the deluxe 36-passenger Safari Explorer. One of the highlights of this program is two days in Glacier Bay, allowing ample time to hike scenic trails or observe the abundant wildlife while kayaking or relaxing on deck. Learn more...

Gauchos Hiring Gauchos - If you are a hiring manager and are hiring, or know of employment opportunities in your company, make those opportunities known to other Gauchos free-of-charge. Connect your personal Linked In account to the UCSB Alumni Association Linked in group and post your jobs. If your hiring manager is not a Gaucho, have her/him contact alumni .careers@ia.ucsb.edu for information on how to make your company's employment opportunities available to the more than 8,000 UCSB graduates on UCSB Alumni Association Linked in!

The annual supporting memberships make UCSB stronger by providing increased scholarship funds to current Gauchos and helping alumni stay connected. Prices are $75 for a regular supporting membership and $60 for Recent Grads, Golden Gauchos, Current Students, and Faculty/Staff. To sign up, click here.

First-time users can get their ID number to join the online community by emailing Sharis Boghossian at sharis.boghossian@ia.ucsb.edu to request it.

"Sun Power Affiliate Solar Program" - Getting started with solar for your home has never been easier. UC Santa Barbara Alumni Association and Sun Power partner together to offer you an easy and cost-effective way for you to go solar today. This special program was designed specifically for UCSB Alumni Association members and UCSB supporters, to enable you to save on your electricity bills, and to further the movement toward renewable energy. In addition to federal, state, and local solar rebate incentives, the UCSB Alumni Association solar program provides an additional rebate of up to $2,000 off the purchase of a Sun Power solar system. Click here for more info and to sign up for a FREE solar evaluation!

An Event to Remember - Consider creating a unique wedding or family reunion experience at Mosher Alumni House while your out-of-town guests enjoy the amenities of the Summer Inn Santa Barbara (open July and August). Mosher Alumni House boasts spectacular settings and views from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ynez Mountains. There are indoor rooms and outdoor terraces for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Email Mary MacRae for more information. Mary.Macrae@ia. ucsb.edu.