UCSB’s MultiCultural Center is set to reopen on Monday, the first day of the spring quarter, after being closed since Feb. 26, when anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian signs were posted throughout the center as well as signs directly calling out Tessa Veksler, Associated Students president.

The signage resulted in backlash against the center’s staff, and their personal information was posted online.

In an email to students, university officials also announced that they will launch a new task force during the quarter with students, faculty and staff “to guide the center’s work on intersectional racial justice at an even deeper level” and to strengthen the center’s engagement.

In a statement released by center staff on March 20, they said their priority is to unite staff and initiate dialogue for healing and understanding. The statement also acknowledged that the staff was fractured after a series of incidents over several months and that they eventually hit their breaking point.

“We have temporarily shifted our focus to introspection, rebuilding relationships with constituents (including student staff and interns), and actionable steps to resume the full operations of the MCC for the spring quarter,” the statement on the center’s website read. “While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, we are committed to fostering open dialogue about how the MCC can uphold its mission, values, policies and procedures within the larger institution while also serving as a critical site of resistance, which the MCC has done since its inception.”

Since the center’s closure, a petition was formed to recall Veksler, who has been outspoken in her support of Israel during the past few months. 

On March 6, an Instagram account with the handle @recalltessaveksler was created and added a post accusing Veksler of endangering her constituents, failing to condemn racism and Islamophobia, and failing to appoint an elections board or elections board chairperson, which is a requirement to process a recall petition. 

“The pattern of behavior exhibited by Tessa Veksler is not just a series of isolated incidents, but a systematic approach to governance that prioritizes personal agenda over the well-being and voice of the student population,” the account posted. “The consequences of her leadership — or lack thereof — underscore the importance of accountability.”

On March 17, UCSB’s Associated Students Elections Board released the petition to recall Veksler on behalf of an unidentified petitioner.  

The petition will require 10% of last year’s election — 327 signatures — to be presented to the Associated Student Senate. Veksler’s run as student body president will end in June with the end of the school year and elections for next year’s president will be held April 22-25.

Also following the incident at the center, doctoral student Charlene Macharia announced a hunger strike until the university reopens the center, calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, denounces the ongoing crisis in Congo, Sudan and Haiti, hires faculty who specialize in defending academic freedom and students who have been doxxed or harassed, and creates a task force on intersectional racial justice.

“I know you are still tempted to call this a suicide attempt, but that is false, and yet another ploy you are desperate to employ to try to shake the responsibility off of yourselves.” Macharia wrote in her letter to UCSB administration when announcing her strike. “This is NOT a suicide attempt. I LOVE LIFE which is why I am fighting for all our lives.”

Since Macharia announced her strike, other students have joined her efforts. The students announced via Instagram on March 18 that they are continuing their strike until all of the demands are met.

Maggie Modovsky was inspired to do her own hunger strike after reading the letter Macharia sent out to the campus community and leaders.

“I understood exactly why she was doing it,” Modovsky said. “Her words resonated with me a lot. When I read her email, I could tell that she was coming from a place of love and seeing a lack of love, both on campus and locally. It just felt like the right thing to do.” 

Modovsky and the other strikers plan to continue to strike for as long as it takes, taking turns to ensure longevity and safety.

When Modovsky spoke to Noozhawk, she was on her fifth day of a seven-day strike. She planned to take a break for a week or two before starting the strike again. 

Modovsky explained that for herself and the other strikers, a hunger strike was the best way to bring attention and action. 

“We’ve tried everything else, and nothing else has worked,” Modovsky said. “So far, this hunger strike has gotten the most kind of attention from the administration.”

Modovsky said the university responded with mental health resources and that strikers are doing daily health check-ins. The strikers are accepting donations for liquid IV, beef broth, protein drinks, tea, Pedialyte, and sodium packets.