April 2013 News Archive

Alumna Dana Priest updates security report in light of Boston bombings

Washington Post reporter Dana Priest (Merrill, '81, politics) has updated a television report on the national security industrial complex in light of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Time to remember: more than 1,000 revelers attend Alumni Weekend 2013

A large group of returning Banana Slugs participated enthusiastically in all Alumni Weekend activities, while getting a chance to reconnect with old friends, visit faculty mentors, and ham

UCSC panel looks at the future of online education

UCSC community members had a chance to air out some of their hopes and concerns about online education at a panel discussion Friday at Stevenson

Scientists retrieve temperature data from Japan Trench observatory

Data recovered in an unprecedented series of operations will reveal frictional heat generated by fault slip during the Tohoku

34th annual Multicultural Festival takes place on campus on May 18

The 34th annual Multicultural Festival at UC Santa Cruz will take place on Saturday, May 18, with a day of rich cultural performances, food and music. The event,

UCSC language students to present International Playhouse

UCSC will present International Playhouse XIII--an annual program of fully-staged short theater pieces by students in the Language Program May 16-19, featuring works in French, Italian, Japanese,

Astrophysics internships bring community college students to UCSC

The astrophysics program is reaching out to community college students through a new summer internship

UCSC's Talent Show debuts, showcases students' artistic flair

They made a Britney Spears song sound hip. They sent machetes flying, flung yo-yos, and danced fingers over the keys of a grand piano. On a recent Friday

In memoriam: Francis Clauser, former UCSC administrator

Francis Clauser, who served as a vice chancellor at UCSC in the 1960s, died on March 3, 2013, at age

Interactive storytelling symposium on May 10 explores the future of games

The Interactive Storytelling Symposium will bring together experts from academia and the computer game industry to explore the future of

Two psychology graduate students win NSF research fellowships

Two UC Santa Cruz graduate students in the developmental psychology program have been awarded prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

10th annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC features Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual César Chávez Convocation

Judge David Sotelo named Social Sciences distinguished alumni winner

When David Sotelo graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1983 (Merrill, politics) he was older than most undergrads, married, and the father of two small boys. Today, Sotelo

Celebrations

Campus visits of finalists for vice chancellor of research

The search committee for the vice chancellor of research has identified two finalists who will be visiting campus in early May. I encourage you to make a note on your calendar and plan to attend.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz collaborates with Jewel Theatre for Pinter plays

UCSC’s Shakespeare Santa Cruz has joined forces with Santa Cruz’s Jewel Theatre Company to present two one-act plays by Harold Pinter, running April 25 through May 19, at

Elaine Kihara: Immeasurable dedication toward students

Oakes College academic preceptor named 2013 recipient of Outstanding Staff

Wilderness on the edge of town: Younger Lagoon a 'living lab' for students

Younger Lagoon Reserve is a postage-stamp-sized parcel of wilderness. Students sharpen their minds while they get their hands dirty: learning, researching, and making a difference too.

Our University - April 2013

Read the latest news for faculty and staff in the April issue of Our University.

Off-Campus Student Housing Workshops

Students, come learn important information about housing and living in the Santa Cruz community at any of the following workshops.

UCSC hosts symposium on stem cells and aging

Leading stem cell scientists from around the world will gather at UCSC May 30 and 31 for the Stem Cells and Aging Symposium.

Joseph Bunnett Research Organic Chemistry Lecture on Friday, May 3

Ken Houk of UCLA will give the Bunnett Research Organic Chemistry Lecture at UCSC on Friday, May

UCSC honored as a 'highest score' campus in new green-school rankings

UC Santa Cruz is one of 21 colleges to receive the highest possible score in Princeton Review's new rankings of environmentally friendly schools.

Staff Advisory Board Elections - 6 openings

It is time to choose your new or returning Staff Advisory Board members.

UCSC highly ranked in worldwide survey of research impact

UC Santa Cruz placed 11th on the annual Leiden Ranking, which measures the scientific performance of 500 major universities

April 26 Forum on Online Education

The Academic Senate's Committee on Teaching, in collaboration with its Committee on Educational Policy, will host the third in a series of forums on online education on Friday, April 26.

UCSC Farm & Garden’s annual spring plant sale set for weekend of May 4, 5

Satisfy your green thumb at the UCSC Farm and Garden’s spring plant sale, featuring the region’s largest collection of organically grown herb and flower starts, vegetables, and perennials

In Memoriam – Alanna Nicole Cousins

We are saddened to learn of the death of Alanna Nicole Cousins, who died in an automobile accident Thursday, April 11

UCSC alumna wins prestigious 2013 Guggenheim

UCSC 1993 graduate Brenda Shaughnessy has been awarded a 2013 Guggenheim Fellowship for the creative arts in poetry. She returns to campus for Alumni Weekend events, including a

Departure of University Librarian Virginia Steel

CP/EVC Alison Galloway announces that University Librarian Virginia Steel is leaving UCSC to join UCLA as their University Librarian.

Mathematics lecturer Richard Mitchell wins teaching award

Richard Mitchell, a lecturer in mathematics, has received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California

Uncommon People / Rachel Wheat and Yiwei Wang: Crowdsourcing for research

Grad students turn to a crowdfunding website to fund their bald eagle research.

Uncommon People / Juan Ledesma: Persistence and faith

Juan Ledesma, the son of agriculture laborers, arrived in Santa Cruz from Hartnell Junior College with a $25,000 S-STEM scholarship from the National Science Foundation, and a love

Alumni News

Alumni

Alumni Profile / M. Sanjayan: Scientist of the world

As a hard-working Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz, M. Sanjayan—now lead scientist for the Nature Conservancy—never expected to be a spokesperson, a TV personality, or a guest

Alumni Profile / Lisa Witter: Speaking her truth

Lisa Witter, partner and chief change officer of Fenton, the biggest public interest communications firm in the country, is a firm believer in the power of communications to

Philanthropy Focus / Karen Rhodes: Giving back by paying forward

Karen Rhodes has been a student, public information officer, development staff member, and an Alumni Councilor at UCSC. But one thing hasn't changed throughout the years: She and

Get social: Comments from Facebook

Our nearly 32,000 Facebook friends share their memories, thoughts, rants, and compliments with us. Check out some of the best comments from our Facebook page in the past few months.

Fall 2013 freshman class at UC Santa Cruz is one of the most selective

After receiving a record number 38,515 applications, UC Santa Cruz has offered admission to fewer than half of freshman applicants, making fall 2013 one of its most selective

Distant blazar is a high-energy astrophysics puzzle

New observations of a blazar show that it is the most distant known source of very high-energy gamma

New book explores relentless evolution in a constantly changing world

In his new book, biologist John Thompson argues that species must evolve constantly or they will not

This is UCSC

News and people of

It's a Slug's life

Students have created activities ranging from mock trial to tango—gaining social outlets while learning valuable life lessons as part of a vibrant campus

Working hand in hand

Every year, hundreds of UCSC student interns and volunteers do important work in the community that surrounds

Engineering opportunities

Senior engineering students create design projects to address real-world problems—some with sponsorships from high-profile

Dream job

A student writes about her experience caring for, and learning from, UCSC's marine mammal "animal

Puma tracking in Santa Cruz Mountains reveals impact of habitat fragmentation

In the first published results of more than three years of tracking mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains, UC Santa Cruz researchers document how human development affects

Cowell art exhibition blends Jewish, African American, Pacific Rim themes

The Eloise Pickard Smith Galleries at Cowell College will present In Her Place: Visual Narratives by Bonnie Stone, an exhibition opening April 26 and running through June 22

Hot Dates

Upcoming events at UCSC

Gabe Zimmerman Room formally dedicated at U.S. Capitol ceremony

A conference room at the U.S. Capitol named for the late congressional staffer Gabriel Zimmerman (Stevenson, '02, sociology) was formally dedicated Tuesday (April 16) in a ceremony attended

Digital Arts and New Media grad student exhibition opens April 27

Amplified CB radios, playable wrestling games about nutrition, and buildings that grow in the dark are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at “ground (ctrl)”—opening April

2013 Digital Arts and New Media MFA exhibition

The Digital Arts & New Media (DANM) MFA graduate program at UCSC is proud to present its 2013 exhibition, ground

From the Chancellor

When I walk around campus, I'm gratified and inspired by UCSC students. I see students engaged in the full range of academic and creative pursuits, as well as

Credits

Road to '65: Creating a design for the new campus

This second installment in our series of stories leading up to a celebration of UCSC’s 50th anniversary looks at the early architectural plans that were taking shape 50

Signs installed, cabin restored in Cowell Lime Works Historic District

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District celebrated installation of six new interpretive signs Friday and phase one of the restoration of one of the remaining lime

Ecologist Mark Carr to give Ricketts Memorial Lecture at sanctuary symposium

Marine ecologist Mark Carr will give the Ricketts Memorial Lecture at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's annual

2013 Commencements & Celebrations

Commencement exercises for UCSC's Class of 2013 will be held on Friday through Sunday, June 14-16. A number of other celebrations, beginning June 13, are also planned to

Please participate in UCSC Storm Water Management Program Survey

The Campus Storm Water Management Program invites the campus community to participate in UCSC's annual Storm Water Survey.

Police Department to automate non-emergency phone calls

Members of the UCSC community and others who call the published non-emergency lines of the UC Santa Cruz Police Department will now be assisted by an automated attendant that will quickly get the caller to their correct destination, allowing staff and emergency center dispatchers to more efficiently handle calls for service.

Redesigned APO website

Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2013, the Academic Personnel Office’s (APO) redesigned website will be live.

New website for Academic Personnel Office

The Academic Personnel Office (APO) launched its redesigned website on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Boogie-woogie sea lion goes viral

The American people are going ga-ga for Ronan the beat-keeping sea lion, who has been featured on "Weekend Edition Saturday" on National Public Radio, and as the answer

Arts Division public event to help shape new Institute of Arts and Sciences

The UCSC Arts Division will present a day-long public event to help plan a groundbreaking new interdisciplinary Institute of the Arts and Sciences on Friday, April

Second Gabe Zimmerman scholarship winner is sociology major

Carson Watts, an Oakes College sociology major and politics minor, has been selected as the second winner of the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship at UC Santa Cruz.

2013 Hire Education video contest

Make a winning "hire me" video, win a new iPad. The subject of the video is simple: Tell us why employers should hire you.

UCSC Arboretum holds annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 20

This year's spring plant sale will feature some of the newest treasures from the UCSC

Public Safety Alert for April 20

This notification is being provided to advise members of the campus community of the potential for disruptions and hazards associated with an unsanctioned gathering known as "4-20" during the afternoon of Saturday, April 20.

CO2 at work during last global 'hot spell' but hardly alone

UC Santa Cruz ocean sciences professor Christina Ravelo is part of an international team that is using ocean floor sediment samples to compile data on past periods of

Chronicle editor to moderate senate discussion on online education April 26

The Academic Senate will host the third in a series of forums on online education later this month. The spring forum, “Online Education & UCSC: What's next?” will focus on the big questions surrounding online education.

SAB Call for Nominations - 5 openings

The nomination period for 2013-2014 Staff Advisory Board (SAB) members is now open.

Gopher control workshop set for Saturday, April 6 at UCSC Farm

Learn how to get gopher problems under control at a workshop Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Santa Cruz Farm.

Domhoff's power structure research featured in urban affairs session

A plenary session is devoted to the groundbreaking research into urban power structures by UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of Sociology G. William Domhoff

UCSC Spring Living Writers series kicks off April 4

Acclaimed up-and-coming writer Tupelo Hassman--author of the novel 'Girlchild'--will kick off the spring installment of UCSC’s Living Writers reading series, Thursday, April 4, at the Humanities Lecture

Registration begins April 9 for spring recreation and intramural activities

Spring quarter registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 for for UCSC Recreation & Intramural Sports classes and activities.

Sea lion defies theory and keeps the beat

Scientists trained a sea lion to bob her head in time with rhythmic sounds, the first example of beat keeping in a non-human

New summer camp opens on campus for youngsters entering 1st– 5th grades

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports announces the new Sammy Slug Summer Camp, a recreational summer program for boys and girls entering 1st