Prospective Student News

Undergraduate applications mark new record

More than 52,000 students—a new record—applied to be new first-year students for the fall 2017 quarter, a 6.9 percent increase from the previous year.

Anthropologist's new book explores compassionate care and community in Moscow

"How and why do people engage with social problems and injustices?" asks UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor Melissa Caldwell in her new book, "Living Faithfully in an Unjust World: Compassionate Care in Russia."

Researcher wins $1 million grant to study English-language proficiency practices

Peggy Estrada, an associate research scientist in Latin American and Latino studies at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded a three-year $999,999 grant to study how to best help school-age English learners achieve English language proficiency and academic excellence.

UC Santa Cruz Community Sailing Club takes best in show for third straight year

Campus inventors recognized for recent patents

The Office of Research is working to bolster patent activities and services for technology transfer, part of an effort to help faculty, students and staff commercialize inventions and discoveries.

Students make gains in math placement, thanks to online adaptive learning

A pilot program in online adaptive learning at UC Santa Cruz has led to higher placement in math courses for newly admitted freshman students.`

Campus to renew Kresge College

Since February, a diverse committee of staff, faculty, and students has worked with a team led by Studio Gang Architects to explore prospects for a renewal of Kresge College’s complex and aging physical space.

UC policy on undocumented members of our community

Issued yesterday by the UC Office of the President, this statement clearly articulates UC’s commitment to the privacy and civil rights of everyone in our community.

Community Crime Bulletin—False imprisonment and kidnapping

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department is seeking the community's assistance in identifying the suspect and vehicle associated with a false imprisonment and kidnapping investigation.

UC Catalyst award furthers paleogenomics research

By analyzing DNA from ancient humans, pathogens and other genomes, the UC Santa Cruz Human Paleogenomics Lab looks to understand how the twin forces of culture and biology have shaped human genomic diversity, demography, and health.

UC Santa Cruz recognized as top performer in sustainability

The 2016 Sustainable Campus Index ranked UC Santa Cruz No. 10 on the list of Doctoral/Research Institutions.

Two admissions office veterans top 71 years

Michael McCawley and David Kamimoto in the UC Santa Cruz admissions office have helped students and families for 71 years.

Using memory to foster well-being

Psychology Ph.D. Artie Konrad has found his dream job at Facebook, where he is a user experience researcher on the On This Day project.

Caring for our animal friends

The student-run Pre-Veterinary Club is designed to support and energize those who want a career working with animals.

Students to pitch viable ideas for positive environmental change

The first Startup Weekend Santa Cruz for Sustainable Solutions & Social Impact, Nov. 18–20, is just one of more than 200 events happening in November as part of Global Startup Weekend.

StoryCruz: New beginnings

With freshman Slugs roaming the campus, StoryCruz set out this fall to see how they're faring.

How big does a lottery jackpot have to be to boost college attendance?

To better understand the connection between parental resources and college attendance you might start by looking at lottery winners.

Politics student named 'Women in Green Forum Youth Trailblazer'

Maxine Jimenez (Kresge ’19, politics and community studies) is the 2016 recipient of the Women in Green Forum Youth Trailblazer Award.

Women's soccer headed to NCAA championship

The Banana Slugs will play Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday at Burns Stadium in Claremont.

Practicing the ancient art of kendo

A sports club gives students the opportunity to train in the Japanese martial art that focuses on improving oneself and one’s technique, on teamwork, and contributing to society.

UC Santa Cruz now offering graduate degrees in computational media

Department of Computational Media is accepting applications now for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs to begin in fall 2017.

All hands on tech

A group of students with the Everett Program at UC Santa Cruz recently spent the weekend collaborating with Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement, a nonprofit in Salinas dedicated to youth empowerment.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant offers opportunities for Latino students to transfer to UCSC

Cultivamos Excelencia is meant to motivate and retain Hispanic/Latino and other high-need students at San Jose City College to complete their bachelor’s degrees at UC Santa Cruz.

Pedestrians may run rampant in a world of self-driving cars

Imagine an urban neighborhood where most of the cars drive themselves. What would it be like to be a pedestrian? Actually, pretty good, according to Adam Millard-Ball, assistant professor of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz. In fact, pedestrians might end up with the run of the place.

Graduate student brings renowned photographer Pirkle Jones's personal archive to the public

Library fellows process archives and make the content available to scholars and the public.

UC Santa Cruz ranks among greenest universities

Coming in at No. 7, UC Santa Cruz is the highest ranked UC in The Princeton Review's "Top 50 Green Colleges."

Initial findings to be released in study of microaggressions on campus

For the past year, UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Christy Byrd implemented a mobile app to track student experiences of microaggressions—the subtle ways assumptions and attitudes based on race, sexual orientation, or gender are communicated in everyday conversation.

UC Santa Cruz project wins U.S. agriculture grant to diversify food studies

A $275,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help Colleges Nine and Ten at UC Santa Cruz expand projects in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties to promote food security and food justice among predominantly Spanish-speaking, farmworker families.

Annual social sciences research event explores politics of change

How and why politics and policy are failing minority groups was a central theme at the UC Santa Cruz Division of Social Sciences’ fourth annual research event, "Politics of Change?! The Social Sciences Take on 2016."

Chancellor to urge high school students to pursue higher education dreams

In support of Achieve UC, Chancellor George Blumenthal will speak to 400 Watsonville High School students to encourage them to pursue a higher education.

Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History holds open house and fundraiser

Art and science mix when the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz holds its fifth open house and fundraiser Nov. 12-13 at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.

UC Santa Cruz expands food support options for students

UC Santa Cruz students who may be temporarily short on cash for meals or have ongoing needs related to food security now have multiple support options on campus.

The impact of the presidential election on U.S. foreign affairs

Aside from the boorish behavior and a penchant for secrecy, the presidential election will influence how the United States pursues foreign policy over the next four years. Three UC Santa Cruz politics professors offer brief insights based on their point-of-view and expertise.

UC Santa Cruz ranks fourth worldwide for research influence

With a citation score of 99.8, UC Santa Cruz ranked fourth and tied with UC Berkeley and California Institute of Technology.

Learning to be a guardian of the Earth

Student Raymond LeBeau, a member of the Pit River tribe, is honing his skills and his familiarity with environmental law at UC Santa Cruz in order to help tribal communities.

UC Santa Cruz politics student gets VIP access to vice presidential debate

When Austin Downs (College Ten ’17, politics) arrived in Washington D.C. in August little did he know he would attend the vice-presidential debate two months later.

Research Frontiers Evening focuses on politics three weeks before election

“Politics of Change?!” is the timely topic for the 2016 Research Frontiers Evening Wednesday, Oct. 19, presented by the UC Santa Cruz Social Sciences Division three weeks before the presidential election.

From number to name: Dedication a proud moment for Rachel Carson College

The ceremony was a chance to honor a pioneering environmentalist and the legacy of UC Santa Cruz students.

Study finds that the more you Google, the more likely you are to keep Googling

People who use the internet to retrieve information are more likely to use it again and less likely to use their memory, according to a study by UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Benjamin Storm.

Student research project looks at affordable housing crisis in Santa Cruz

A UC Santa Cruz multi-media research project on the affordable housing crisis in Santa Cruz is scheduled to be presented to the public 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz.

Non-citizenship series begins with talk on 'Citizenship and the Politics of Exclusion'

Bridget Anderson, a leading labor and migration scholar, will deliver the keynote address in the first of a series of events exploring non-citizenship.

2016-2017 Campus Food & Garden Guide now available

UC Santa Cruz ranks in the top 20 of Sierra magazine’s list of “Cool Schools” in large part because of its dedication to improving the campus food system.

Cultural competency training aims to help foster an inclusive culture

For the past eight years, Diversity and Inclusion Program Coordinator Donnae Smith has been delivering a training to students to help them support the difficult conversations that can come when students from a variety of backgrounds come together in an intimate, college environment.

Giving voice to the voiceless

Andres Arias (Oakes, 2016), a double major in Latin American and Latino studies and sociology, has immersed himself in California migrant communities to conduct original research about this vulnerable and often voiceless population.

Pesticide predicament for California's strawberry growers

The powerful fumigant methyl bromide will be retired from California’s strawberry fields at the end of this year after more than 20 years of fierce debate over its effects and alternatives.

Entering class increases diversity, access

The growth in undergraduate enrollment, 650 more California undergraduates than fall 2015, is part of the University of California’s commitment to enroll 5,000 more students across the UC system, providing greater access to the state’s students.

Campus strengthens bridges to high school students via summer session offerings

Local high school students took courses, helped with research, worked campus jobs, and even lived on campus this past summer.

Philanthropy in pursuit of a healthier planet

Alec and Claudia Webster, who help steward the philanthropy of the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, look at how they can accomplish the most good with their gifts.

College Eight becomes Rachel Carson College

The naming gift from the Helen and Will Webster Foundation recognizes Carson for her courage and pivotal role in awakening the public to environmental issues.

Erika Check Hayden will be new director of Science Communication Program

Veteran science journalist Erika Check Hayden will become the program's third director in January 2017.

UC Santa Cruz student games featured at IndieCade Festival

The UCSC game design program will be well represented at IndieCade, the biggest event in the indie games community.

UC Santa Cruz ranks among top 30 U.S. public universities

The campus also is one of the top 100 national universities, according to the annual rankings by U.S. News and World Report

Julie Snyder: Serially great journalism

UC Santa Cruz alumna, who will receive this year’s Alumni Achievement Award, talks about making the hit podcast Serial and how her college years laid the foundation for a career in broadcast journalism

Student challenges assumptions about transgender athletes

At 19, Chloe Anderson transitioned from male to female. The 24-year-old transfer is one of the first transgender athletes to participate in volleyball at the NCAA Division III level.

Big questions to be explored at Silicon Valley Campus grand opening

The celebration, showcasing the multidisciplinary teaching and research hub, will feature an open house, a ribbon cutting, and a handful of engaging talks by leading campus thinkers.

Alumnus Tom Franco Collaborates with Art

Growing up in Palo Alto, CA into a gifted artistic family, it seems natural that Tom Franco would want to pursue a career in art. Both of his parents studied art at Stanford University; his mother, Betsy Franco, is a well-known author of teen and young adult books, and both of his brothers, James Franco and Dave Franco, are famous actors.

Football, farming, and food security

Former NFL star defensive end Kalimba Edwards is on an ambitious mission: He hopes to one day create a self-sustaining food system that can feed the nation’s hungry and homeless.

UC Santa Cruz highlighted in Green College Honor Roll

UC Santa Cruz scored 99 points—the most possible—in a listing meant to provide a comprehensive measure of a school's performance as an environmentally aware and prepared institution.

Organic farming and gardening training program accepts applications in 50th year

Aspiring organic farmers and gardeners are invited to apply for the 2017 apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The class of 2017 will mark the 50th year of the Apprenticeship, the longest running university-based organic farming and gardening training program in the U.S.

'Science Notes 2016' now available online

Annual multimedia magazine published by the Science Communication Program features a wide range of stories.

UC Santa Cruz moves up in worldwide ranking

The campus ranked No. 83 internationally and No. 43 within the United States, according to Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) published by a Shanghai education-consulting firm.

UC Santa Cruz sailboat wins national championship

A UC Santa Cruz sailboat, crewed by the campus’s former and current boating directors, won the national championship for its class during races off the Santa Cruz coast the last weekend in July.

Educational Partnership Center awarded $1.2 million to help students pursue higher education

Talent Search provides disadvantaged youth with connections to high-quality tutoring services and counseling services to improve financial aid literacy and financial planning for postsecondary education.

Undergraduates exhibit summer research projects at annual symposium

More than 100 student research projects were featured at the seventh annual Summer Research Symposium.

National conference marks 10 years of growth in sustainable agriculture education

With growing numbers of students and educators interested in sustainable agriculture, food justice, and experiential education, the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) conference held July 29–31 at UC Santa Cruz highlighted hands-on educational efforts that bridge scientific and social issues.

UC president encourages teenage girls to aim high during visit to campus

UC President Janet Napolitano visited UC Santa Cruz this week and stopped in on Dickens Universe, UCSC Farm, games and robotics programs, Youth Empowerment Institute, and COSMOS sessions.

Racist and anti-Semitic fliers received on networked campus printers

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department has received several reports of racist and anti-Semitic fliers being printed on networked campus printers.

Financial aid director tapped to serve on student aid commission's advisory board

The California Student Aid Commission is responsible for some of the largest grant programs available at the University of California.

Undergrad publishes field guide to campus spiders

Spider guide is the first in a series of natural history field guides produced by the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve.

International economics graduate named deputy managing director of the IMF

Zhang Tao, who received his masters and Ph.D. degrees in international economics from UC Santa Cruz, has been appointed deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

UC Santa Cruz increases admissions offers for Californians

The campus accepted nearly 4,728 more California high school students than last year—a 27 percent increase—and also marked gains in the numbers of African American, Asian American, and Chicano/Latino students admitted.

Stories of research, excitement, and surprise at Graduate Research Symposium

UC Santa Cruz storytelling project StoryCruz captures first-person narratives from graduate students describing their research and their hopes.

Campus altar honors lives lost in Orlando

The Cantú Queer Center, the Chicano Latino Resource Center, and the Women’s Center have created an altar that will be on display through July. The centers are happy to collaborate in other community support efforts.

New campus archivist launches campaign to document 51 years of history

For Teresa Mora, the essence of UC Santa Cruz’s 51-year story is in the details—the newsletters, meeting minutes, images, correspondence, and dog-eared reports stashed away in forgotten boxes.

A day in the sun for UC Santa Cruz grads

As they awaited to receive their diplomas, UC Santa Cruz scholars reflected on friendship, mentors and inspiration.

UC Santa Cruz is a summer conference hotspot

Whether you are interested in studying planets, dowsing the days away, or learning a brand-new cheerleading technique, there’s a UC Santa Cruz conference that will suit your needs.

Citizens academy helps to ‘humanize the badge’

The nine-week program is offered three times a year to give a behind-the-scenes, hands-on perspective of the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement.

Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity honor work, commitment

The campus recognized work done by students, faculty, staff, and programs to promote diversity and inclusion on campus through the 2016 Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity.

Baskin School recognizes women graduating with engineering degrees

Women make up 19 percent of engineering undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz this year, up from 12 percent in 2005. The event is meant to help retain women in the engineering school.

Nine faculty members honored with Excellence in Teaching awards

The awards honor instructors who have demonstrated exemplary and inspiring teaching. Students make the nominations and more than 620 were received this year.

Campus to invest in Camper Park to increase access, affordability

The park has 42 spaces with four currently vacant, two of which are set aside for resident advisors (RAs). The campus will replace at least 12 units this summer and more in the coming years.

Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship winner is immersed in public service

Graduating senior Katie Sweeney (Cowell, ’16, community studies) has been awarded the fifth Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship named for the 2002 UC Santa Cruz graduate killed in the January 2011 shooting in Tucson that wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).

Athletics opinion poll wins student support

63 percent of voting undergraduate students were in favor of establishing a new undergraduate fee that would be approximately $90 per student per quarter.

Survey seeks ideas, comments about Cowell and Stevenson coffee shop operations

An advisory committee to help inform operations of the Stevenson and Cowell college coffee shops has created a survey to gauge campus-wide opinion.

Economics professor outlines rapid success of America's 'other one percent'

Nirvikar Singh, UC Santa Cruz professor of economics and director of the Center for Analytical Finance, described the rapid economic success of Indians in the U.S. during a keynote address at TieCon 2016.

Pouring it on

The bronze pour at UC Santa Cruz's metal casting workshop—the UC system’s last working foundry—has become a tradition on campus combining performance, ancient ritual, and hands-on hard work.

Trans-identified students celebrate new, inclusive housing option

The new trans-inclusive housing option is the result of student activism that informed ongoing administrative discussions about how to better serve the trans community.

Chancellor open to workable funding plans for NCAA program

Chancellor Blumenthal said that simply asking the campus to fully fund the program—which will cost more next year because of new federal labor laws—places it in direct competition with academic priorities.

Campus recognized for sustainability efforts in education, practices

The campus earned awards from the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference for its lighting retrofit and optimization in the McHenry Library; its carbon neutrality roadmap; and its sustainability minor and Sustainability Living Undergraduate Research Program (SLURP).

EVC's 'Beyond Compliance' town hall confronts culture around sexual misconduct

About 100 students, staff, and faculty confronted issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault on campus during a May 10 town hall meeting convened by Alison Galloway, campus provost and executive vice chancellor.

Kicking up confidence while having a ball

The UC Santa Cruz women’s soccer team goes beyond expectations with high GPAs and outreach to the community with kids' soccer clinics.

Alumna Carmen Perez returns to campus as Chavez Convocation keynote speaker

UC Santa Cruz alumna Carmen Perez returns to campus as keynote speaker for the 13th annual Cesar Chavez Convocation scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, 7–9 p.m. at the College Nine/Ten multipurpose room.

Strawberry and Justice Festival features music, speaker panels, free strawberries

This year's annual Strawberry and Justice Festival festival takes place Thursday, May 19 from 4–6:30 p.m. at the Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz and features live music, free food, and guest speakers.

Alumnus Ken Corday Funds Arts Division Endowment in Television and Film Writing

Ken Corday (Porter 1977) and the Corday Foundation have made a substantial financial contribution to the UC Santa Cruz Arts Division to establish the Kenneth R. Corday Family Presidential Chair Endowment in Writing for Television & Film.

Events explore traumatic journeys migrants endure on the way to the border

The series of UC Santa Cruz events on human migration continues Friday and Saturday, May 6–7 with “Rethinking Migration,” the first in the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Sawyer Seminar on non-citizenship and part of the Chicano Latino Research Center's Borders and Belonging series.

Original crowd funder honored with Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award

Before crowdfunding, there was Drummond Pike. The 1970 politics graduate of Stevenson College was awarded the Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award for his accomplishments in combining philanthropy with political activism.

Hastings Law professor to speak on prisons and transformation of punishment

Professor Hadar Aviram of UC Hastings College of the Law will speak on the American prison system and the transformation of punishment as part of the continuing UC Santa Cruz and UC Hastings Social Justice Lecture Series Monday, May 9.

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session

There are more than 250 courses ranging from creative writing, to medical Spanish, to geography of national parks.

New book by ecologist James Estes recounts pioneering research in Alaska

Known for groundbreaking research on sea otters and coastal ecosystems, Estes tells the story of his influential career in marine science.

Campus launches mobile app to track shuttles in real time

Transportation and Parking Services, in collaboration with undergraduate and graduate students, has launched SlugRoute, which tracks campus buses in real time.

Borders and Belonging series features film screening, photo exhibit, and discussions

Human migration, borders, and notions of citizenship are at the heart of a series of events that help celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Department of Latin American and Latino studies at UC Santa Cruz.

Campus again ranks No. 1 among Peace Corps’ top volunteer-producing Hispanic-serving institutions

Thirty-two alumni are serving in the Peace Corps. More than 800 UC Santa Cruz alumni have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers with the Peace Corps, which was founded four years before the campus opened in 1965.

Cafe Ivéta opens in Quarry Plaza

Cafe Ivéta is now open on the ground floor of the Graduate Student Commons building at Quarry Plaza.

Alums Martha Mendoza, William Finnegan win 2016 Pulitzer Prize

Journalism's highest honor is awarded to the Associated Press and Mendoza for public service and in biography to Finnegan for his surfing memoir.

Student-organized events highlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Four weeks of events and activities are scheduled this month to raise awareness and support survivors of sexual violence as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

Hitting it out of the park

Not playing softball was not an option for student Nessa Esparza—so she went to bat for the first women’s competitive fast-pitch softball team at UC Santa Cruz.

Grad Slam highlights research—but also ability to explain it

Fun, informative event celebrates grad student research while conveying the necessity of clear, compelling communication to a broad audience.

Student entrepreneurs pitch startups at the fourth annual Business Design Showcase

About 16 teams are expected to participate in the annual event that draws together some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent entrepreneurs.

Senior leaves a legacy for families with cancer

Katie Sweeney established a Camp Kesem chapter at UC Santa Cruz two years ago. Though she's graduating this year, the chapter will continue to serve children who have parents with cancer.

Study reveals the invisible workforce serving Silicon Valley’s tech industry

When you hear about free gourmet lunches at Silicon Valley’s biggest tech companies, the cafeteria worker might not come to mind. Or the shuttle bus drivers, janitors, security guards, and landscapers who serve the region’s tech elite.

Alum Fritz Chesnut Creates Stunning Visual Art on Every Canvas

Visual artist and UC Santa Cruz alum (Porter 1995) Fritz Chesnut was exposed at an early age to art, especially since his mother earned her PhD in art education and his father, who has a Master’s in German, also studied music.

The figure as an anatomical event

Art instructor Noah Buchanan is bringing the exacting study of anatomy and classic technique into the 21st century.

Grad students face off in second annual Grad Slam competition April 6

Ten graduate students will face off April 6 in the second annual Grad Slam competition, a spirited forum during which doctoral students present their research in three minutes.

Lick Observatory field trip available to undergraduate students

Seeing and Knowing in Art and Astronomy offers undergraduates a chance to learn about the Lick Observatory's history and take part in workshops.

Alumna Anne Flett-Giordano Credits her Extraordinary Writing Career to One Crazy Night at Porter College

Growing up in Danville, California, Emmy Award-winning comedy screenplay writer and UC Santa Cruz, Porter College alum Anne Flett-Giordano got an early start on how to tell enthralling stories.

Female computer science grad students find supportive environment at UC Santa Cruz

UCSC's Department of Computer Science is producing successful female graduates at a time when women remain underrepresented in the tech workforce.

Forums set for proposed renovations of Cowell, Stevenson coffee shops

Cowell and Stevenson colleges will hold two community forums during the first week of April to gather input on proposed renovations and other changes to the college coffee shops.

UC Santa Cruz launches online programming course by Ira Pohl

UC Santa Cruz has launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), C++ for C Programmers (Part A), on the Coursera platform.

Campus diversity officer pushes for institutional change

Campus Diversity Officer for Staff and Students Sheree M. Marlowe promotes institutional change for historically marginalized communities, which at UC Santa Cruz includes African American students, transgender students, and students with disabilities.

Determined to increase diversity in the sciences

Alumnus Blake Riggs uses his own story of prejudiced encounters, personal stumbles, and tenacity to encourage students of color.

Social psychologist Claude Steele visits for talk on stereotypes and identity

Claude M. Steele, a renowned social psychologist and UC Berkeley’s executive vice chancellor and campus provost, will speak on his research on stereotypes and identity, Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 4 p.m. at the College Nine/Ten Multi-Purpose Room, UC Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz researchers evaluate groundwater supply and management

Court adjudication of California's groundwater basins is more often focused on resolving conflicts among water users and less on sustainable groundwater management, according to a UC Santa Cruz study commissioned by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Organic gardening workshop series features reduced rate for students

"Garden Cruz: Organic Matters," a workshop series in March on the art and craft of organic, French-intensive food and flower gardening, offers reduced rates to UCSC students involved in campus garden projects.

ACE Program marks 30 years of academic support for STEM students

Academic Excellence Program's 30th Anniversary celebration and reunion will be held during Alumni Weekend 2016.

Community studies majors present findings after six-month field study

The six-month full-time field study has been the heart of the community studies major at UC Santa Cruz since the program began in 1969. Last week, students in the reinstated major described their field-study experiences during a poster session.

Inaugural Fred Keeley Coastal Scholars learn by doing

Erica Ferrer (Cowell, ’16, marine biology) and Linda Pineda (College Eight, ’16, Earth sciences) are the inaugural recipients of the Fred Keeley Coastal Scholarship–a new program that supports hands-on summer research for UC Santa Cruz students interested in coastal sustainability.

Wells Fargo funds coastal sustainability fellowships and graduate program

$560,000 grant will support graduate fellowships and development of a new graduate program.

Active learning movement gains momentum

Classrooms across campus are seeing less lecturing and more student engagement.

UC’s Global Food Initiative addresses student food security challenge

It’s hard to do your best academically when you’re not eating well, but that’s the dilemma facing many University of California students.

Students, chapter recognized for work in advancing science diversity

The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science gives undergraduate students opportunities to meet with professionals in their fields, showcase their work, and ask questions about graduate school and career development.

UC Santa Cruz names Alexander Wolf new dean of Baskin School of Engineering

Currently a professor of computer science at Imperial College London, Wolf will begin his term as dean on July 1, 2016.

Welcome to Winter Quarter

Welcome back for Winter Quarter and Happy New Year. I hope you all enjoyed a restful break.

Student interest in UC Santa Cruz reaches another all-time high

UC Santa Cruz attracted a record 49,133 applications from high school seniors and 9,969 applications from transfer students—also an all-time high—during the recent application cycle for a total of 59,102 applications.

Ivéta Gourmet to open campus café at Quarry Plaza during winter quarter

The owners of Ivéta Gourmet, who run a popular café on Santa Cruz’s west side, will open a café in the Graduate Student Commons building at Quarry Plaza on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Film, panel to focus on tech industry’s diversity shortcomings

Sponsors hope that girls in middle school, young women, and underrepresented groups who see the movie will be inspired by the role models in the profession and see a future for themselves in the industry.

UC Santa Cruz, UC Hastings offer joint law, masters in applied economics, finance

UC Santa Cruz and UC Hastings College of the Law will offer a concurrent degree program that gives candidates a law degree and a master’s in applied economics and finance.