Dear Pacifica Community,

On Saturday evening we learned that evacuation orders for Summerland and Carpinteria were being lifted, in addition to the opening of some roads and continued closure of others, as well as some alternate routes and methods of transportation. The Ladera campus, however, still remains in the mandatory evacuation zone because of road conditions there, so we must wait to reopen that campus. Throughout this time we have carefully monitored and adhered to the frequently changing County of Santa Barbara warnings, as safety for faculty, staff, and students is our number one priority.

This afternoon a small group of Pacifica staff and faculty living north of the Milpas exit off the 101 freeway in Santa Barbara came together in community. Simultaneously, Pacifica staff and faculty living in Carpinteria and further south also met. Joined via Zoom by others unable to access either in-person meeting spaces, we held our first community gathering since the dreadful mudslide that has destroyed a portion of the small town of Montecito after a heavy rainstorm on early Tuesday morning, January 9th. Despite being seperated by the mud and debris that has shut down the 101 freeway, we took comfort in coming together.

Here is the latest update on our recent trial by water...and mud.

Since accessibility to both of our campuses cannot be guaranteed for this upcoming weekend, we have rescheduled the classes for our Myth and Counseling cohorts, which were supposed to be on campus Friday through Sunday. While we have confirmed reports that the Lambert campus is unharmed, we still do not know in detail the condition of the Ladera campus.  However, there has been some observations that there is no widespread or severe damage.

Now that we have emerged unscathed by the wildfires, our next trial by the elements will be water.  

Due to the extreme weather conditions we are currently experiencing, our Ladera Lane campus will be closed today, and and there will be limited access to our Lambert Road campus. Our staff and faculty have made alternative arrangements for our students and guests to ensure everyone’s safety.

Thomas Fire update from Pacifica Graduate Institute
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 3:50 p.m.
Photos taken on Monday, December 18, 2017

Dear Pacifica Community,

Season’s greetings to all of you from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Throughout the last two weeks of wildfires in our region, which gratefully are now more contained, both of Pacifica’s campuses have remained free of harm, safe and completely intact. We remain very appreciative of your many expressions of concern, care and for your prayers; we also are deeply grateful to the brave, skillful fire-fighters who selflessly have protected so many properties with extraordinary diligence and perseverance.

Updates and current photos of the Lambert Road and Ladera Lane Campuses
Photos taken on Monday, December 19th at noon.

Yesterday, our local firefighters let a few senior staff members up to see our beloved Ladera Lane Campus at Pacifica Graduate Institute. We are pleased to report that Pacifica stands unharmed from the Thomas Fire. Our heroic firefighters stopped the fire at Romero Canyon, with spot fires less than a mile from Ladera Lane.

Thomas Fire update from Pacifica Graduate Institute
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 9:40 a.m.

Dear Pacifica Students,

Heartfelt greetings to you from Pacifica Graduate Institute. We are very grateful for your many expressions of prayers and caring. Throughout the wildfires, both of the Pacifica campuses have remained safe and fully intact.

We are looking forward to holding classes as scheduled beginning January on both Pacifica campuses. As usual, your academic program staff or faculty will be in touch with you prior to the first session of this new year.

Thomas Fire update from Pacifica Graduate Institute
Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 3:08 p.m.

Dear Community and Friends,

The past 11 days has been unique in Pacifica's history as our campuses have had to remain closed since Wednesday afternoon, December 6, due to the Thomas fire, which has threatened much of the local area. The sudden intensification of winds has made the job of fighting the fire much more difficult, yet through the remarkable efforts of the fire-fighters many residences have been saved—their skill, perseverance and generosity has been truly impressive to witness, we are most grateful to them. We join them in grieving the loss of Corey Iverson the young engineer and fire-fighter who tragically was killed during his work on the fire.

A guest post by Craig Chalquist, Ph.D.

Now and then I’ve heard the criticism that depth psychology is not useful in emergencies. I beg to differ.

As I write this, the enormous Thomas Fire burns in the hills above Pacifica. Whether it remains there or sweeps down on the buildings below is largely up to the wind. Sitting with this disturbing fiery symbolism, I reflect that the dichotomy between psychologizing and safeguarding is a false one. We have taken all possible steps to make sure Pacifica people are safe. We have also removed vital equipment and materials, supported each other, and conversed every day about how to operate the school with the possible loss of buildings by fire.

Yet even as we act, we sit with the larger story of what this fire might mean. Why? Because in tending a different view, we make sense of apparent chaos and give ourselves a place to stand within the whirling sparks of uncertainty. A place from which to support our friends and neighbors and each other in a time of devastating loss.

Dear Prospective Students,

We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we respond to the impeding Thomas Fire. As of right now, voluntary evacuation orders are in effect for residential neighbors near our Lambert Road Campus and mandatory evacuation orders have been given to our residential neighbors near our Ladera Lane Campus here in Santa Barbara.