disclosure: i’m a writer for the guardian, but this reflects my personal views, not a formal statement

a lot of people are saying they’re voting no on the guardian fee because they don’t read the paper. but the $3.50 isn’t about whether you personally read it—it’s about making sure student journalism doesn’t disappear from this campus altogether.

right now, the guardian gets zero consistent funding from the university. the only reason it’s still running is because students on staff are working unpaid, and the paper has been scraping by on leftover savings. that’s not sustainable. without funding, it’ll shut down.

the referendum would give the guardian about $130k a year—still way less than other schools like berkeley, where the student paper runs on over $1 million. that money would go toward paying student writers and editors, printing issues, maintaining the website, and making sure the paper can actually function like a newsroom—not just a side hobby.

compare that to the rec fee—over $40 a quarter—that we all pay, even if we never step foot in the gym. why? because the gym is considered a public good. something that benefits the campus as a whole, even if not everyone uses it. student journalism is the same. it exists so important info—protests, admin decisions, tuition hikes—doesn’t just vanish without coverage. it holds power accountable. it documents student life. it gives people a voice.

even if it’s not for you, it matters that it exists.

Hey everyone, so I’m wondering if there’s like a grief group or something like that here on campus that I can join. A little over a year ago I lost my only brother to suicide right before I started at UCSD, and the experience was very traumatic. He 🔫 himself in our house when both my parents and I were home. He was my only sibling and he was only 24 😔 I’ve tried to push down the grief and ignore it since then, but I’ve really been struggling so much lately. My grades have been plummeting and I’ve been terribly depressed this entire year. It would be so nice and helpful if there was some sort of group where I can talk to students who have been through similar experiences 😔❤️‍🩹

I was hesitant to paint this since I’m not sure if people would rather move on from such a tragic moment. But I felt it was important to pause and appreciate the quiet kindness our community showed, even to someone they barely knew.

For anyone in need, CAPS is available at (858) 534-3755 and https://caps.ucsd.edu

I am so worried for them. I keep hearing of people getting sent to detention centers without any due process, and usually the conditions are borderline inhumane/torturous😢 Please, does anyone know where our classmates are?

Related to this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/UCSD/comments/1jrtw6p/the_truth/?share_id=AZLpLh8f7yp3l5ttMttJo&utm_content=2&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

Many students may not be fully aware of ongoing concerns regarding the misuse of student funds. The link above highlights one such case involving an individual whose access to funding was reinstated by the A.S. Senate months ago, despite prior issues.

The Associated Students (A.S.) frequently runs programs that suffer from either poor promotion due to mismanagement or appear to be intentionally kept under wraps. This lack of transparency often results in low participation, after which program access is extended primarily to individuals connected to A.S.

Several programs funded by student fees end up supporting events, trips, or initiatives without clear standards for merit or inclusivity. Participation is often IYKYK, rather than open opportunity.

Beyond the example in the link, here are a few other instances:

1. Students of Color Conference 2023 at UC Davis – Over 60% of attendees were members of A.S.
2. iTable (link) – Due to a lack of applicants, A.S. members encouraged friends to apply in order to access funding.
3. 2022 EDI Guardian Cuts – The discussion surrounding these budget cuts was reframed around racism, even though the program was not uniquely targeted.

There are also concerning cases where A.S. funds have been used for events open to the general public, with little to no relevance to the UCSD student body—despite the fact that these activities are paid by student tuition.

So yeah, it kinda feels bad - election drama every year is cool but it'd be super cool if we stop voting in people who just steal money.

B.S. Artificial Intelligence

Hi! I’m a soon-to-be freshman at UCSD at John Muir college. Slight problem though, I’m having trouble finding roommate(s), and I’m too introverted to dorm with strangers(😭😭). So is it difficult to get a single room for myself?

We’re really gonna

I’m an international student in San Diego, and I wanted to share my ongoing two-year-long battle to get my money back from a shady landlord. After countless efforts, I'm finally close to seeing justice. 🧾💥

Here’s how it all started and where it’s going:

⏸️ Background In April 2023, I was looking to rent off-campus. Young and naïve, I made the classic mistake: I paid a $2000 security deposit before signing the lease. The next day, I read the contract properly and realized it was full of red flags. A quick Google search confirmed tons of terrible reviews about the landlord. When I tried to get the deposit back, they refused.

1️⃣ Stage 1: Email Negotiations I tried to resolve things through email. All I got in return were threats, intimidation, and complete refusal to talk. At the time, I was scared. Looking back now, it was just bluff and bluster.

2️⃣ Stage 2: Filing a Lawsuit (Small Claims) Since the amount was under $10K, I filed in Small Claims Court (under civil). Filing fee was $75. I filed in May and got a court date in late August. The waiting was brutal.

3️⃣ Stage 3: Serving the Defendant – Maybe Minor Headache🤯🤯 This part nearly derailed everything. To proceed, you have to legally "serve" the defendant court papers. We weren’t in the same city, and you can’t serve them yourself (or ask friends/family). Court services were unreliable, so I hired a process server. It took money, patience, and literal stakeouts — but the guy finally caught the landlord at home.

4️⃣ Stage 4: Court Day Surprisingly, court wasn’t scary. The judge hears many cases back-to-back, and everyone lines up until their case is called. My judge was fair and patient, letting each side explain. The landlord skipped the first court date but showed up the second time — gave some fake excuses, which the judge didn't buy. In the end, because we didn’t have a signed lease, the court ruled that the deposit wasn’t valid and ordered the landlord to return the money + penalties.

5️⃣ Stage 5: Actually Getting Paid – the REAL Nightmare 🤯🫣🤭🥵😡😤😳😰🫠🫥 I thought the court would collect the money for me... NOPE. You’re on your own. It took three different levy attempts (to seize funds), and only the rent levy finally worked. Barely.

⚠️I’ll keep posting updates as this wraps up, but I wanted to warn other SD students: do NOT rent from this landlord. And if anyone else is in the same situation, I’m happy to answer questions or offer tips. This process completely reshaped how I view housing, the law, and trust in general.

While in the process, I also encountered another victim who also (different situation) took her money away! ⛔️So… SD students BE AWARE!!!!!!!!! ⛔️

💡Key Takeaways: 1️⃣Never pay anything before signing a contract. 2️⃣Cautios private landlords! Use LinkedIn, Google, reviews. Have your parents read the lease — don’t be shy. 3️⃣Legal action = serious energy drain. Be prepared mentally, emotionally, and financially. 4️⃣Kind ≠ weak. International students can fight back — and win.

sandiegorentals #smallclaims #securitydeposit #sdcivilcourt #tenanthelp #venetiancondo #badlandlords #internationalstudentstruggles

I'm looking for people to play badminton with, casually but (hopefully) regularly (weekends, or weekdays past 7PM). I've been playing for a couple of years and mostly doubles but I'm open to any and all levels

Unfortunately, I can't join the official ucsd badminton club as a visitor so I'm putting up a post here.

Hey y’all! Happy Spring. With summer coming up, I’m ready for change. Is anyone interested in trading their Arizona Birkenstocks men’s size 9,10, or 11 for a size 10 of Birkenstocks Bostons? Perfect condition etc…

Message me if interested, and I’ll be happy to send photos and facilite a meetup!

Hi,

I am currently a second year physiology student at University College Dublin, approved for exchange at the University of California for Spring 2026 (January - June).

I am still undecided on which campus to apply for though, some things I would prioritise are: cost of living, student life, transport, and ease of travel to other cities/regions. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice/recommendations based on the above.

Also, before I go on exchange I must complete 'module matching'. I don't know if there are any bio majors who could help me out here. I must take equivalent modules to the ones I would take at home. Does anyone know if SD would have equivalents to the following during winter/spring semesters: respiratory physiology, endocrine physiology, experimental physiology, the brain and motor control.

Thanks!!

hi, i’m considering commiting to ucsd this fall, what music groups/programs/classes are at this school, and do you need to be a music major to take part in them (i’m a bio major)?

Hi! I am an international student from INDIA. I have been admitted to UCSD for Math-CS in The Eighth College. I am looking for a roommate, anyone interested can hit me up in DMs.

If you protest at any of the #TeslaTakedown or Indivisible #HandsOff events, leave your phone/device at home or take the battery out so you can't be traced and ID'd. Turning the device off is insufficient – the device will still emit a traceable signal. If you must take it with you, put it into airplane mode to minimize the amount of signal it emits.

Here are some other tips from the ACLU regarding how to maximize your anonymity if you attend a protest:

https://www.acludc.org/en/how-defend-against-police-surveillance-protests

Happening across the country right now - let your voice be heard

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/apr/05/hands-off-protests-trump-administration

Y’all actually killed it what the hell.

hi just curious, but does anyone know if other factors like financial aid, first gen, etc. affect a persons lottery time? like do they get an earlier time because of that??

For cs i failed one class so i cant go on to the next and i gotta retake it. im only a first year and its the first class i failed. am i fucked as in i wont graduate in time?

i feel so incredibly sorry for whoever is going to room with this one girl next year. she's failing a good chunk of her classes every quarter but somehow she's still here. she leaves food to rot and mold, but when you throw it out she gets mad. she slams doors at 3 am and doesn't wash her hands after she uses the bathroom. she leaves her dirty ass clothes everywhere. she breaks other people's things. she uses everybodys utensils or pots or pans. she fucks random guys in EVERY SPOT BUT her bed. she is genuinely such a horrible roommate to be around and i wish i could prevent her from being around other poor souls but i can't. (btw if anyone bitches about this post we have talked to her numerous times and our RA. nothing.) i sincerely pray for all who will be subjected to her.

edit: to all the men thinking you have a chance, the "random guys" are situationships she brings from highschool. sorry to disappoint.

Does anyone know when first year's get their email? Do we get it instantly after we accept our offer or do we need to wait till the year starts?

I want to make a couple purchases but I want to see if I can use student discounts.

Hello, I’m an international student from Kuwait, and I have committed to UCSD. I’m required to have my transcripts sent by the Ministry of Education by July 1st. How do I go about this?