January 2023 News Archive

Three UCSC faculty named 2022 AAAS fellows

Three UC Santa Cruz professors received the distinction of 2022 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the association announced

Improving the student experience: aligning Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services within the Division of Student Affairs and Success

In an effort to improve the student experience, Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) is moving from the Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration (FOA) to the Division

University launches new center, Campus + Community, to facilitate engaged scholarship

After more than 50 years of engagement in the region, UC Santa Cruz is launching a new center to coordinate campus and community connections for action-oriented scholarship that

John Bollard named associate vice chancellor for student health and wellness and chief well-being officer; joins Division of Student Affairs and Success

The Division of Student Affairs and Success is excited to announce John Bollard has been hired as the associate vice chancellor for student health and wellness and chief

Learning-Aligned Employment Program Launches; provides 100% funding for on-campus, student research positions

LAEP is a nine-year, state-funded, work-based learning program similar to federal work-study. The program offers eligible students the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

The university invites campus community to come together for SlugUnity: A Space for Healing

In the wake of numerous, horrific acts of violence that have recently unfolded across the country, UCSC invites students, staff, and faculty to gather together in the Quarry

UC Office of the President invites comments on the proposed Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination

The proposed policy covers discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by and against members of the University community on University property or in connection with University-sponsored activities.

Leading the Change survey due Feb. 3

UC Santa Cruz wants your input on Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.

Your guide to dining on campus in 2023

11 UCSC Dining locations plus a variety of vendors provide options all over campus.

UCSC alumna and special advisor to the chancellor earns international recognition for contributions to science, community building

Matlock, a cognitive science professor at UC Merced and special adviser at UC Santa Cruz, studies language use in real world contexts, including climate change, politics, technology, and health.

Slug Bike Life builds on bike culture through county-wide partnership

UC Santa Cruz’s Slug Bike Life has been awarded $712,000 for phase II of the bike safety, information and encouragement program.

Candidate 1: Executive director of public safety and police chief

The finalists for the position of Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety /UC Santa Cruz Police Chief will be on campus beginning Feb. 6 and ending Feb. 14.

Disclosing foreign collaborations in research projects

In order to comply with evolving federal regulations related to disclosing foreign collaborations and other support, the Office of Research has updated Cayuse to include screening questions. These questions are meant to trigger information that needs to be disclosed on all applications and progress reports for projects with federal funding.

Two new species of rare succulents found in Mexico named by UCSC botanist

A retired staff botanist at the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden studied the rare plants found on an island off the coast of Baja California and identified two

NIH grant funds research on a powerful new approach to drug development

A new NIH MIRA grant funds biochemist Scott Lokey’s efforts to develop complex, membrane-permeable molecules as next-generation therapeutic

Sanya Cowal: Resilience and agency

Sanya Cowal was awarded the Jessica Roy Memorial Scholarship in 2022. Learn more about how scholarships support students at UC Santa Cruz.

Accrued Vacation Payout Program for those impacted by the California winter 2022-23 storms

Support for our community members who have been impacted by the California winter 2022-23 storms.

Support and resources following video released by Memphis Police of beating

UC COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirements

We are reaching out to inform you about the university’s updated Policy on Vaccination Programs, which reflects the following information regarding vaccination and booster requirements.

Search for Vice Chancellor for Research underway

We are pleased to announce the kickoff of a national recruitment for Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR).

Annual asbestos notice

California Health and Safety Code Section 25915.2. requires notification to all UC Santa Cruz personnel of the presence of asbestos in certain materials used in the construction of University buildings.

Reminder: Leading the Change survey

UC Santa Cruz wants your input on Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.

Resources and support in the face of recent gun violence

We are devastated by the tragic and senseless mass shootings on Saturday in Monterey Park and on Monday in Half Moon Bay

Visits set for finalists for Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences

The finalists for the position of Dean of Physical and Biological Sciences will be on campus for two days each beginning Feb. 6 and ending Feb. 17. Campus leadership invites all in the UC Santa Cruz community to participate in the interview process and to provide feedback on the four candidates.

McKenna Smith: Pursuing biological sciences

McKenna Smith was awarded the Keeley Coastal Scholars Award in 2022. Learn more about how scholarships support students at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC leads new multicampus initiatives on climate change and bilingualism

UC Santa Cruz faculty are leading two new collaborative programs funded by grants from UC’s Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI)

Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies

Data from Antarctica show more humpback whales get pregnant after years with abundant krill than after years when krill were less

Five student teams embark on tech for social good projects

Five student teams will take on tech for social good projects with funding from the UCSC CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and the UCSC Institute for Social

Vulnerability of red sea urchins to climate change depends on location

Scientists found that red sea urchin populations are adapted to local environments, but some populations will suffer more than others as conditions change in the

Accrued Vacation Payout Program for employees impacted by the 2022-23 winter storms

We are activating the UC Santa Cruz Employee Emergency Accrued Vacation Payout Program.

Alumni Councilor Mario Galdamez

Mario Galdamez joined the UCSC Alumni Council in 2022. Since then, he has enjoyed giving back to the UCSC community, honing his leadership skills, reconnecting with the community,

2023 Campus Elections

The Dean of Students Office is pleased to announce the 2023 campus elections process.

Reminder - Decarbonization & Electrification Task Force Town Hall

Join the Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force and the Climate Coalition at the inaugural D&E Town Hall gathering. Get an update on the task force’s work and join a discussion on how to plan the next steps for the decarbonization of the campus.

Leading the Change survey launching today

The strategic plan is our opportunity to chart a path for progress on our campus goals of advancing student success, amplifying our research profile, fostering an inclusive campus climate, and becoming more sustainable and resilient. The strategic planning process will include establishing metrics by which success will be measured over the next decade.

Researchers produce first-ever toolkit for RNA sequencing analysis using a ‘pantranscriptome’

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz introduce the first-ever method for analyzing RNA sequencing data genome-wide using a

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences to open new, off campus galleries

The state-of-the-art facility will showcase the Institute of the Arts and Sciences’ groundbreaking exhibitions and programs, highlighting the work of major national and international artists working to address

Rebecca Ropers will serve as a 2023 American Council on Education Fellow

Rebecca Ropers will serve as a 2023 ACE Fellow in the Office of Campus Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor. She is the vice provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs and a professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Announcing Teenie Matlock as special adviser to the chancellor for Indigenous matters

Teenie Matlock, most recently Vice Provost for Academic Personnel at UC Merced, has officially joined UC Santa Cruz as Special Adviser to the Chancellor on Indigenous Relations.

Study finds active galactic nuclei are even more powerful than thought

A new study indicates that scientists have substantially underestimated the energy output of active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes because their light is dimmed by

Zahirah Suhaimi: Exploring ecological states

Zahirah Suhaimi was awarded the Dr. Midori Arima Scholarship in Anthropology in 2022.

Alumni Weekend re-envisioned

Alumni Weekend was created to welcome alumni back to UC Santa Cruz for a week of reconnecting with peers, Santa Cruz, and the campus community. In 2023, the

In Memoriam: Pierson Perrizo

We are saddened to write to you with news of the passing of Pierson Perrizo on December 13, 2022.

Sensorium, a new project of UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure, to be an unprecedented experience of the world ocean

A new project in development by UC Santa Cruz’s Center for the Study of the Force Majeure will give the public a transformative opportunity to interact with the

Earth scientist James Zachos honored for climate change research

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Climate Change category recognizes Zachos and fellow paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas of Yale

Stay informed about campus impacts from severe storm

In-person instruction resumes Wednesday, Jan. 11

Support for our community during severe storms

Our thoughts are with all who are facing the challenges this severe weather has wrought.

In-person instruction to resume Wednesday

With improving weather conditions, in-person instruction will start on Wednesday, with UC Santa Cruz lifting the requirement for uniform emergency remote instruction.

Astronomers find the most distant stars in our galaxy halfway to Andromeda

A search for variable stars called RR Lyrae has found some of the most distant stars in the Milky Way’s halo a million light years

Championing opportunity: Alumnus sponsors graduate student fellowships

UCSC alumnus and Stone Brewing Co-Founder Steve Wagner has funded summer research fellowships for four humanities graduate students over the course of four years.

Tuesday classes to use remote instruction, stay informed on storm impacts

All classes on Tuesday, January 10, will be delivered using online or emergency remote instruction, and we continue to encourage our campus community to limit nonessential travel.

Monday classes to use remote instruction, stay informed on storm impacts

All classes on Monday, January 9, will be delivered using online or emergency remote instruction, and we encourage our campus community to limit nonessential travel.

Guidance for the beginning of winter quarter

Below you will find important information and resources on the start of instruction, including information about possible health and weather impacts.

LastPass security breach, how to protect yourself

LastPass notified its customers of a cybersecurity incident that may put passwords stored in LastPass at risk.

Expansion of Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) Program for eligible employees

UC’s Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) program, introduced on July 1, 2021, as part of UC’s commitment to family-friendly policies, programs and benefits, is expanding.

Flight Pattern

Robotics student Liam Asayag had never even thought of making a drone before—until he witnessed the war zone in Ukraine and made a low-cost prototype in a lab on campus for use by aid groups on the front lines.

Berta Campos-Anicetti: Spreading the health

Public health and human services professional Berta Campos-Anicetti (Crown ’89, biology) was instrumental in helping to get the Latine community in Novato, Calif., vaccinated during the pandemic, among many other successful programs

UC Santa Cruz Cal Teach program connects area STEM majors with local public schools

Established in fall 2005, the UCSC Cal Teach program is one of nine in the UC system, with a goal to recruit and support undergrads in the STEM

Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service is forecasting a significant winter storm for the Santa Cruz area beginning early Wednesday and continuing through Thursday afternoon.