Santa Barbara California is a picturesque city on the Pacific Ocean. The University of California system has a campus in Santa Barbara that’s been in the news of late.

A quick background reads as follows: Billionaire Charles Munger helped previously fund and design housing at the University of Michigan (completed/in use) and now at UCSB (prelim-approved design). The UCSB dorm, of which Mr. Munger is writing the most sizable check, provides light for 6% of the rooms, leaving 94% of the rooms with zero natural light. I’m calling this a ‘Light Lite’ design. Housing 4,500 students, roughly 270 students will be housed in natural light rooms.

It’s been reported the U of Michigan housing arrangement is a predecessor to UCSB, meaning cut in the same mold. It’s also been said the Michigan building is popular with residents.

My take on the controversy is this. Nobody forces a person to attend a certain college/university. Incoming freshman for 2025 (expected completion date) can either opt-in to this living arrangement or choose to enroll elsewhere. This isn’t the same as being held captive against personal wishes, or worse yet being incarcerated. While it seems odd that natural light hasn’t received a higher priority at UCSB, how about we chill and let the laws of supply/demand play out. High school seniors will ultimately be who decide on this topic.