UCSB currently requires students to complete four units of a European traditions course to graduate. We believe this requirement is outdated and problematic and call for UC Santa Barbara to remove it for future students, starting with the graduating class of 2026. 

The first issue with this requirement is that it separates European traditions from the other, more general, ethnicity requirement. This indirectly creates a perception of white vs. “other” which is extremely problematic. The separation of these two requirements in such a way puts European traditions up on a pedestal above those of other cultures. This outdated requirement ultimately reinforces a perception that European traditions are more important than those of other cultures. 

The second problem with this requirement is the fact that European traditions are central to courses that satisfy other general education requirements. The Culture and Thought, Arts, and Literature requirements are undoubtedly eurocentric. Unfortunately, the reality is that European ideas have dominated these disciplines. Students of all majors are already bombarded with European traditions making the requirement not only problematic but redundant. 

If you are a member of the Gaucho community who believes the European traditions requirement is unnecessary and culturally insensitive, please sign and share this petition.