Undergraduate News

Campus provides information about vandalism

Eight Slugs receive prestigious Fulbright grants

UC Santa Cruz had eight Fulbright Program grantees in 2007-08--a feat it's only accomplished twice before in the past 15 years, and a higher ratio of accepted candidates versus applicants than many prestigious private universities.

End of fall quarter message from Chancellor Blumenthal

End of fall quarter message

UCSC Wind Ensemble to perform at Carnegie Hall

The UC Santa Cruz Wind Ensemble is set to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall on February 15, 2009.

Green entrepreneur, urban advocate, author to address King Convocation Feb. 12

Van Jones, founding president of Green For All, a senior fellow with the Center for American Progress, and author of The Green Collar Economy, will speak at UC Santa Cruz's 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation February 12.

Nurturing Change: Nidya Ramirez works to empower those most in need

Alumna Nidya Ramirez feels a responsibility to help people in difficult circumstances --including immigrants, the poor and working class, refugees, children, and abused women.

A path of service: Joshua Karrasch helps a rapidly expanding student population--vets

Joshua Karrasch, a former Navy corpsman who spent a tour of duty treating patients in sweltering field hospitals in Kuwait, helped STARS develop a peer-mentor program for veterans.

Student regent recruitment

Message for students about regent recruitment

Lara Hale embraces interdisciplinary approach to environmental problems

Lara Hale is one of only a few students who traveled to the Lolland region of Denmark, where residents are overcoming their dependence on fossil fuels.

Campus named Employer of the Year for longtime alliance with HOPE

UC Santa Cruz Dining was recently honored as Employer of the Year for being a longtime employer of people with developmental disabilities.

UCSC to host international renewable energy program

Last summer, U.S. and Danish students learned firsthand about renewable energy technologies being implemented in Denmark through a program organized by UCSC faculty. Next year, the campus will host the four-week summer program, along with NASA Ames Resear

Oceans of data: Dan Costa tags along with marine animals

Dan Costa, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, studies how marine animals ranging from fur seals to dolphins to penguins make a living in the open ocean.

Professor's misty, dreamy photo is contest winner

The winner of the chancellor's on-campus photography contest is a dreamy scene of a misty path curving away out of sight into fog-enshrouded redwoods caught by Professor James Clifford of the History of Consciousness Department.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us, and fall has fallen on campus. Beautiful scenery abounds, sometimes in the most seemingly mundane places.

Dining Services receives $5,000 grant for sustainability

UC Santa Cruz Dining won a $5,000 grant for its comprehensive approach to food service sustainability during the 2008 Greenbuild Expo.

Support for students affected by the wildfires burning in southern California

CPS Support for students affected by the wildfires burning in southern California

Chancellor comments at Regents meeting on proposed state funding cuts to UC

Chancellor Blumenthal and two other UC chancellors briefed the UC Board of Regents at its meeting in San Francisco today on the implications of reduced funding for their campuses.

Campus wins accolades from green blog

UC Santa Cruz has been recognized in the Green College Spotlight section of green blog EarthFirst.

Fire Department kicks off holiday toy drive

The UCSC Fire Department is holding its annual holiday toy drive.

Campus braces for more cuts

Mid-year budget cuts, recently announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will force UC Santa Cruz to make even more reductions in operations than it already had planned after lawmakers slashed spending for UC in the initial state budget.

Newest Friends group wants you to be able to see, touch, smell history

UC Santa Cruz's newest Friends group, Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District, aims to protect historical evidence and significant structures on campus dating from the 19th century.

Global honor society charters 366th chapter at UCSC

In February, UC Santa Cruz will become host to the 366th charter of Golden Key International Honour Society.

Campus, community report on successes in reducing carbon footprint

UC Santa Cruz has made remarkable progress in reducing its carbon footprint, Chancellor Blumenthal said in his one-year Climate Action Compact report.

Graduate and Professional School Fair gives students glimpse of post-grad life

Representatives from graduate and professional school programs throughout the United States were on campus Monday to answer questions and provide information regarding graduate admissions, individual programs, and their school.

San Francisco mayor urges UCSC students to vote

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom made an appearance on campus Tuesday, drawing a crowd of approximately 300 students and others to the College 10 Multipurpose Room at lunchtime.

Detours during Bay Street resurfacing through Oct. 31

Secretary of State adds her support to student voter-registration drive

California's chief elections officer Secretary of State Debra Bowen visited campus Tuesday to add her support for a student voter-registration drive.

Alumni on the Move: Chris Lauf (Porter '06, biology; jazz minor)

Flaming rocket balloons and potted cacti are among the props Chris Lauf uses to teach science while pedaling across Australia.

Student, mother, dreamer: Scholarship opens doors for Rachel Cordero

Rachel Cordero, a mother of two and a community college transfer student, was one of 34 undergraduates selected for a $3,000 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund award last year.

New CPS after hours crisis service

Chancellor Blumenthal sends fall greetings

UCSC named campus with 'greenest cafeterias'

UC Santa Cruz has been named the campus with the "greenest cafeterias" in a survey published by Plenty magazine.

Campus provost writes about approved state budget

And Trevor makes four! All four Sughrue kids choose UCSC

Trevor Sughrue is following in the footsteps of his three older siblings and enrolling at UCSC this fall.

Getting ready for the new academic year: facts & figures

UCSC students began moving into university housing on Friday, September 19, in anticipation of the 2008-09 school year. The first day of instruction in the fall quarter is Thursday, September 25. The fall-quarter "move-in" for students living on campus wa

Student Union Assembly wants to get out the vote

The Student Union Assembly (SUA), together with a coalition of other organizations, has embarked upon its annual voter registration drive.

Student Health Center Closure on September 17, 2008

UCSC art professor presents exhibit in subways and galleries of Japan

"Are We There Yet?" is the title of UCSC assistant art professor Dee Hibbert-Jones' new public artwork and interactive sound installation--on exhibit in Japan throughout September.

After nearly 45 years, new redwood sign graces main campus entrance

Out with the old and in with the new. After nearly 45 years of service, the iconic redwood sign at UCSC's main entrance has been replaced with a new iconic redwood sign. Campus crews hoisted the original off its concrete pedestal Monday morning and i

New CruzAlert Emergency Notification System - Action Required

UCSC reaches landmark agreement with City and County of Santa Cruz

A historic agreement has been forged that will end litigation related to the UCSC Long Range Development Plan and enable the campus to implement its academic plan, proceed with construction of the important Biomedical Sciences building, and further meet t

UCSC grad student receives Princess Grace award

UCSC graduate student Kimberly Bautista has been awarded a 2008 Princess Grace Honorarium. She is one of 44 recipients across the country who were recognized for distinction in the fields of theater, dance and film.

Iraqi students explore science, technology, and American lifestyle at UCSC this summer

Seventeen students are participating in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program at UCSC this summer during a six-week course sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Washington, D.C. UCSC is one of only six universities in the natio

Community shows overwhelming support for UCSC research scientists

More than 200 community and campus members gathered at the UC Santa Cruz entrance Monday afternoon to show their support for scientific research at the university and denounce two recent firebombings targeting UCSC researchers.

Dickens Universe offers unforgettable intellectual retreat

The Dickens Universe combines elements of a research symposium, arts festival, book club, and summer camp all rolled into one big, unforgettable week of intellectual celebration.

Summer programs bring academics, athletes, cheerleaders to campus

Lower Bike Path Closure beginning July 21

UC Santa Cruz Arts & Lectures announces 2008-09 season

Linguistics students give demo of spoken dialogue systems at NASA Ames

Linguistics merged with computer science last week at a hands-on demonstration of spoken dialogue systems by UCSC students at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View.

Midwest factory tour brings learning to life for students of environmental policy

Educators who encourage their students to get out of the classroom don't typically direct them to steel mills, glass factories, and soda-pop bottling plants.

OPERS Lockers Need to be Cleaned Out by June 12

Academic Senate presents 2007-08 Excellence in Teaching Awards

The Academic Senate Committee on Teaching has announced the recipients of the 2007-08 Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Undergraduate awards ceremony caps annual Student Achievement Week

Students, staff, faculty, family, and friends gathered on the East Field on Friday, June 6, as accomplishments in an array of disciplines were recognized at this year's Student Achievement Awards Ceremony. The ceremony capped Student Achievement Week, an

George R. Blumenthal inaugurated as UCSC chancellor in campus ceremony

George R. Blumenthal was inaugurated as the 10th chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz, in a public ceremony on UCSC's East Field today (June 6, 2008).

Blumenthal lauded for 'visionary leadership,' deep knowledge of campus at inaugural ceremony

A heady feeling of optimism seemed to run as high as the ceiling of the enormous pavilion erected on UCSC's East Field for the inauguration of George Blumenthal as UCSC's 10th chancellor.

Campus provost gives early outline of budget cuts

UC Santa Cruz will need to cut between $7 million and $12.3 million from its 2008-2009 budget, Campus Provost and Executive Vice chancellor Dave Kliger told the Academic Senate Friday.

Non-strike activities this week

Campus community asked to participate in carpool survey

AFSCME strike rescinded

AFSCME strike on June 4-5

In a message to the UCSC community, Campus Provost David Kliger writes about an announced strike by the AFSCME union on June 4-5.

New edition of 'Natural History' is a love letter to campus

After nearly 25 years, a new edition of The Natural History of the UC Santa Cruz Campus was released this month. The book is lovingly assembled and packed with easily digestible information and more than 125 photos, drawings, diagrams, and maps.

VETS program aims to help veterans returning to the classroom

Veterans Education Team Support (VETS), a program launching this spring and run by Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students (STARS), is for veterans returning to school.

UCSC grad students contribute 'Bureau of Disruptions' exhibit to San Jose global digital arts festival

Week of events spotlights student achievement

Hundreds of UCSC students will be honored for their outstanding work in research and academic achievement during Student Achievement Week, taking place May 31-June 6.

Fourth Annual Graduate Research Symposium presents impressive student works

A list of prize winners at the Fourth Annual Graduate Research Symposium.

Campus Elections - Voting Continues

Campus Elections: Message for Undergraduates

Campus Elections: Message for Graduate Students

UCSC alumnus wins annual student-journalism award from Chronicle of Higher Education

Sam Laird--a 2007 UCSC graduate with a degree in American Studies--has been awarded the fifth annual "David W. Miller Award for Student Journalists" by the <i>Chronicle of Higher Education</i>. Laird received the $2,500 prize for three articles he had pu

McHenry Library Addition Now Open

Spring 2008 Campus Elections

Steering Committee provides Inauguration update

Films by four UC Santa Cruz students featured during Reel Work Film Festival

Films about the immigrant experience and last fall's writers' strike are among the works by four UC Santa Cruz students that will be screened during the seventh annual Reel Work May Day Labor Film Festival, which takes place April 25-May 11.

Grateful Dead donates archives to UC Santa Cruz

At a press conference in San Francisco on April 24, members of the Grateful Dead announced that the band will donate its archives to the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Cowell College Provosts announce memorial for Sergio Zamora

2007 Campus Sustainability Assessment released

Vigorous dissent, job-seeking coexist at campus career fair

Protestors at Tuesday's job fair at the University Center maintained a noisy presence, while job seekers filing into the event to check out their options said they understood the demonstrators' right to have their say.

Americans willing to sacrifice to reduce gap between rich and poor, doctoral candidate finds

Contrary to the stereotype of Americans as self-interested individualists, the majority care more about growing economic inequality than we've been led to expect, and many would sacrifice personal gain for the well-being of others, according to research b

Campus hosts Black Brown Roundtable

Activists from within and outside the university came together April 19 to discuss relations among African Americans and Latinos.

Chancellor's wife promotes post-graduate education

UC Hastings College of the Law professor Kelly Weisberg--who is also Chancellor Blumenthal's wife--was on campus last week as a panelist in a workshop introducing potential post-graduate students to law school and advising them on law school admission and

UCSC students, staff invited to enter inauguration greeting contest

Three environmental studies graduate students win Fulbright Awards

Environmental studies graduate students Timothy Krupnik, Michelle Olsgard, and Anna Zivian have received 2008-2009 Fulbright Awards that will help fund their overseas research.

Message to students about '4-20'

Education leaders decry potential state budget slash

Chancellor Blumenthal joined the presidents of Cabrillo College and California State University, Monterey Bay, and the Superintendent of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education in news conference at Cabrillo College April 14, calling for continued stat

Tune in for the latest from the Social Documentation Program

Briana O'Higgins is a public radio junkie.

UCSC students team up with public radio producer Nikki Silva

For eight lucky students last quarter, award winning independent radio producer Nikki Silva offered the ideal blend of inspiration, instruction, and encouragement.

McHenry Library moves its way into the 21st century

Over spring break, University Librarian Virginia Steel oversaw the move of materials from the original McHenry Library into the library's recently opened new addition.

Maximum Fun: Alum Jesse Thorn woos young listeners with a new brand of radio show

Jesse Thorn (B.A. American studies, Porter '03) has gone national with "The Sound of Young America," which first aired at UCSC in 1999.

Rx for Health Care: Graduates of UCSC's innovative health sciences program are good medicine for California's ailing health-care system

Diego Inzunza grabbed a laptop on his way past the laboratory inside Plazita Medical Clinic, where jaunty Mexican music danced from a large speaker on the counter. Holding the computer open like a clamshell in one hand, the 21-year-old UC Santa Cruz stude

Chancellor sends spring message to UCSC community

Board of Regents selects Mark Yudof to be next UC president

In a message to the UCSC community, Chancellor George Blumenthal announces the appointment of Mark G. Yudof as president of the University of California.

Blood and Oil: New environmental studies class proves popular with students

In only two years, the new class <i>Blood and Oil: Energy, the Middle East, and War</i> has become legendary on campus.

Inauguration of Chancellor Blumenthal to take place Friday, June 6

SUA Elections and Spring Quarter Announcements

Eighteen talented undergraduates travel to Costa Rica with anthropology class

Imagine slogging through humid rainforests so dense your pace slows to a crawl, encountering spiders as big as your hand, plants that burn your skin, and mud so deep you sink up to your knees. And loving it.

Mark G. Yudof recommended for position of UC president

The committee conducting the search for the next University of California president is recommending to the Board of Regents that Mark G. Yudof, currently head of the University of Texas system, be appointed to lead the UC system.

Cattle moo-ve in

Grounds Services manages a contract with a local cattle rancher to bring cattle to campus at different times of the year.

UC Santa Cruz engineering students win national robotics competition

A team of four students from UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering won the first-place trophy in a national student robotics competition for their design of a solar-powered robot that can climb up a vertical ribbon carrying a payload.

Campus security report shows progress, says more to be done

National engineering honor society installs chapter at UC Santa Cruz

The Engineering Honor Society at UC Santa Cruz was officially installed as the California Alpha Delta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi in a ceremony held on Saturday, March 8, at UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering.

Court issues order on Science Hill protest

Faculty debate the use of police force in campus demonstrations

A resolution proposed by a professor at Friday's Academic Senate meeting prompted an emotional response from both supporters and opponents before being referred to committee for further study.

Memorial to honor Tony Fink, April 13

Biotech students learn about neglected diseases from alumna Nina Grove

As director of the malaria program at the Institute for OneWorld Health, alumna Nina Grove is involved in a unique public health project that is applying the tools of the biotechnology industry to the battle against one of the most devastating diseases in

Alumna Dana Priest wins major journalism award for Walter Reed exposé

Pulitzer Prize-winning <i>Washington Post</i> reporter Dana Priest (B.A. politics, 1981) and her colleague Anne Hull have won the prestigious 2008 Selden Ring award for their exposé of deplorable conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Summer Orientation for 2008

Soccer star Brandi Chastain headlines Girls and Women in Sports Day at UCSC

Soccer star Brandi Chastain, one of the best-known women athletes in the world and a role model for a generation of girls, will headline the March 8 celebration at UC Santa Cruz of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Chancellor pledges support for researcher at staff forum

Chancellor George Blumenthal opened his remarks at the winter-quarter taff Brown Bag Open Forum by addressing the Feb. 24 confrontation at the Westside home of a UCSC researcher.

UCSC holding its own in recycling challenge

Week four of the nationwide RecycleMania competition is now in the can, and UCSC is reducing, reusing, and recycling its way to some impressive standings in its rookie year in the challenge.

Chancellor condemns attack on researcher

Memorial for College Eight Student, Michael C. Wilson

Doctoral candidate heading to DC after graduation

Lauren Malone will be heading to Washington, D.C., after earning a Ph.D. in economics this spring.

EOP launches textbook drive to benefit low-income students

In an effort to help low-income students achieve academic success, the Educational Opportunity Programs Office is launching a textbook drive to provide books to students who can't afford to buy them.

McHenry Library Is Moving!

Who is Sammy Slug? A look behind the yellow veil

Inside, Sammy the Slug is just like you and me. Human, that is. The role of UCSC's beloved mascot, the Banana Slug--aka Sammy--has been filled by various students, faculty, and staff.

Alums teach UCSC film students about life in the movie biz

Four successful alums in the film industry returned to campus on February 2 for a roundtable discussion on how to succeed in the business of making movies.

UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference calls for presentations

The Seventh Annual UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference will be held July 31-August 3 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Conference organizers are seeking posters and presentations from students, faculty, and staff. Registration for the conference begins in Mar

Let the trash-talking begin: UCSC joins national college recycling competition

UCSC has become a first-time entrant in ReycleMania, an annual 10-week competition among college and university recycling programs nationwide.

UCSC's Banana Slug among ESPN's top 10 best team names

UCSC's Banana Slug mascot has been named among the top 10 best team nicknames in college basketball by ESPN Sports Travel.

Student regents urge UCSC students to apply

Benjamin Allen, the UC law student who sits on the Board of Regents, and D'Artagnan Scorza, who will take the post July 1, visited UCSC Friday to urge students to apply.

Campus celebrates Black History Month with performances, film, concerts, more

Fiber-optic project to boost network speed for researchers

With the completion of a new fiber-optic project, researchers at UC Santa Cruz will be able to tap into an ultra-high-speed Internet network 10 times as fast as the campus's current connection.

Undergraduate offers empowerment classes for girls at three Santa Cruz middle schools

In a unique town-gown collaboration, a UCSC undergraduate has teamed up with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education to offer empowerment classes to girls at three local middle schools.

Graduate student's film featured at Sundance Film Festival

Documentary filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura can't wait to see his film screened at the Sundance Film Festival. He just wishes he could get his hands on enough tickets for all his friends and family.

Grounds crews clean up tons of storm debris

Campus grounds crews worked throughout the emergency campus closure January 4 and over the weekend, sweeping, scooping and cutting up approximately 80 cubic yards of accumulated material shaken loose by 60- to 80- mile-an-hour winds that buffeted the regi

Campus Elections - Mandatory Orientation for Student Fee Referendum

Chancellor, provost provide update on campus actions related to protest

UCSC's chancellor and campus provost provide an update on campus actions that occurred during campus closure related to the illegal actions at the site of the proposed Biomedical Sciences building on Science Hill.

Undergraduate makes the most of opportunities at UCSC

Overcoming obstacles and pursuing her dreams are two of the life skills Katie Roper says she acquired at UCSC, where several professors encouraged her to take a hands-on approach to her education.