May 2017 News Archive

Music alum named Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year

UC Santa Cruz alumna Shelley Phillips (Music,’85) has been named the 2017 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Arts

Athletics fee referendum passes

Measure 68, which proposed a $38.50-per-quarter fee to support the NCAA athletics program and provide access to athletic-related activities to students who meet the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)

STEM Diversity graduation honors student achievement

"You are already catalyzing change," a speaker told students at the end-of-year celebration for graduating seniors and others in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and

Planned expansion in child care services and on-campus employee housing

UC Santa Cruz is planning to build a new child care center and expand service to employees. In addition, we are planning to expand on-campus employee housing options.

Campus Elections Results

2017 Campus Elections results are now available at elections.ucsc.edu.

UC Santa Cruz to launch first-generation faculty campaign

UC Santa Cruz will launch the First-Gen Faculty (FGF) campaign during Student Achievement week, which starts June 5. This initiative is aimed at encouraging professors on campus to

Ronnie Lipschutz appointed to chair in integral ecology and environmental justice

Ronnie Lipschutz, professor of politics and provost of Rachel Carson College, was honored as the inaugural holder of the Robert Headley Presidential Chair for Integral Ecology and Environmental

Time to renew parking permits and Metro bus passes

Annual parking permits and faculty/staff Metro bus passes expire on June 30, 2017. Those who need to renew their parking permit or bus pass for 2017-18 can apply online now, or in person at the TAPS Sales Office.

Community expectations

Our campus has a long and proud history of challenging the status quo. We do it through research, through teaching, and through activism. The exchange of ideas—sometimes done quietly, sometimes not—helps to move society and our campus forward.

IHR’s second ‘Night at the Museum’ draws capacity crowd

A capacity crowd filled the atrium floor and lined the balcony stairs of the Museum of Art and History in downtown Santa Cruz for the latest public event

Koret scholars present research at poster slam

The Koret Scholars Undergraduate Research Slam will feature poster presentations about topics as diverse as a protein link to heart disease, female authorship in science fiction and horror

Evolutionary biologist John Thompson awarded Darwin-Wallace Medal

Named for Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, the prestigious award recognizes major advances in evolutionary

Hands-on learning is the name of the game in archaeology

In a unique partnership, UC Santa Cruz is collaborating with California State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and a private firm to give students hands-on experience

Upcoming Pay for Performance (P4P) Town Hall Series

Staff Human Resources and the Pay for Performance workgroup has developed an electronic performance appraisal tool this year for our campus

Prion study reveals how abnormal proteins damage nerve cells in the brain

Research on the prion protein may explain why nerve cells degenerate in prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob

Statement from interim vice provost for Student Success

Pettigrew receives Centennial Medal from Harvard University

Tom Pettigrew, research professor of social psychology, received the Centennial Medal from Harvard University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for his work in racial relations.

Changes coming to MyUCSC - July 8

Major improvements to MyUCSC and Campus Solutions will be implemented over the July 8th weekend.

People of Color Sustainability Collective wins top honors

The Best Practice Award is the highest honor in the field of higher education sustainability in the state. It will be presented during the California Higher Education Sustainability

'Be so good they can’t ignore you'

Creative obsession and hard work led alumnus Kalen Egan to his role in producing one of Amazon’s most popular television series, The Man in the High

Alumna committed to improving financial literacy for women

Sherry Paul committed herself to financial literacy after witnessing the negative impact of financial inequities—what happens when people don’t have money to support their basic needs and their

Move Out Program and Garage Sale Weekend: Diverting unwanted items from waterways and landfills – Earn a FREE large pizza from Woodstock’s

As you know, it has been a tradition at UCSC to lower our impact on the environment. When you move out at the end of the quarter, it may seem generous to leave your items on the sidewalk with a “FREE” sign. Unfortunately this material ends up in our waterways, the bay or in landfills.

Alison Galloway to discuss "Life of the Dead" at the Rio Theatre on June 6

Forensic anthropologist Alison Galloway will give a public lecture on June 6 about the natural history of human decomposition and her work analyzing human remains.

Karen Holl recognized for tropical forest restoration work

Karen Holl, professor of environmental studies, has been named a recipient of the 2017 Theodore M. Sperry Award, presented by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).

Psychology research featured in NSF video showcase

A new video about Barbara Rogoff's research is featured this week in the National Science Foundation 2017 "STEM for All" Video Showcase.

'Zoot Suit' still relevant four decades later

When Zoot Suit premiered at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 1978, it was more than just an instant success. As former Los Angeles Times theater

High school students wrestle with ethical quandaries

With coaching from the UC Santa Cruz Ethics Bowl team, underrepresented students from regional high schools gathered to discuss thorny questions on topics ranging from white privilege to

Outstanding Staff Award: Lived experience brings need for humanities into sharp focus

Irena Polić, this year's Outstanding Staff Award honoree, is a passionate advocate for the humanities. "They are our life," she said. "The humanities show us who we are

New coral reef fish species shows rare parental care behavior

Evolutionary biologist Giacomo Bernardi and his students discovered a new species of damselfish that cares for its

UC Santa Cruz students to show VR projects and videogames in public showcase

The 'Sammy Showcase' on Saturday, June 3, is hosted by the Games and Playable Media program at the UCSC Silicon Valley

Graduating senior propelled by curiosity and a desire to give back

Jenn Figueroa arrived at College Ten from her hometown of Northridge and proceeded to take advantage of every extracurricular program offered by College Nine and College Ten.

Creating a safe campus culture

UC Santa Cruz has seen a dramatic uptick in reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) over the past few years. While only 85 reports were received during the 2013-14 academic year, that number jumped to 181 in 2014-15, 233 in 2015-16, and we are on track to receive approximately 375 reports this year.

Astronomer Sandra Faber awarded Gruber Cosmology Prize

Faber's groundbreaking studies of galaxies helped establish many of the foundational principles of modern

Diving in: Students in beginning swim class learn more than the backstroke

Students who never learned to swim are gaining confidence and relieving stress in level 1 swim class—as well as opening themselves up to new possibilities such as surfing

Gary Griggs stepping down after 26 years as director of Institute of Marine Sciences

Peter Raimondi, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will serve as director on an interim basis starting July

Study unveils T cell signaling process central to immune response

Recognition of an antigen by the T cell receptor triggers the first steps leading to an immune

Housing expansion supports student success

By Sarah Latham, Vice Chancellor Business and Administrative Services — Living on campus is an important element in the success of our students and we have a responsibility to ensure adequate on-campus housing for our current and future students.

'Ecosystems of California' wins gold medal in California Book Awards

Coedited by UC Santa Cruz ecologist Erika Zavaleta, the book will be honored by the Commonwealth Club of

Undergraduate Education seeks part-time administrator: Rachel Carson College Provost

In 2017-18, the Division of Undergraduate Education is undertaking a search for a part-time faculty administrator: Rachel Carson College Provost

Environmentalism Outside the Box: An Ecosex Symposium

"Environmentalism Outside the Box: An Ecosex Symposium" is the title of a free public event that will take place on May 18-19, hosted by the E.A.R.T.H. Lab, a

United we stand: Staff and faculty have long invested in the community through giving to the United Way

UC Santa Cruz's long tradition of supporting United Way continues with a spring campaign that is aimed to increase giving throughout the community.

Science and social justice: Oakes College facilitates empowerment, encouragement, advancement, and equity

Oakes is more than an academic college. It is a home away from home for those who are passionate about social justice issues.

Statement on fossil-fuel dependency

“Flyer Literacy” event postponed until fall

We are sending this message to inform you that the “Flyer Literacy” event, scheduled for Monday, May 15, is postponed until the fall quarter.

Theater Arts professor Kimberly Jannarone named National Humanities Center Fellow

One of 34 chosen from more than 600 applicants, Kimberly Jannarone will spend the year in the company of national and international scholars from 14 states, Greece, Turkey,

Women’s self-defense training available

The Dean of Students and the UC Santa Cruz Police Department will be sponsoring a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program during the spring quarter.

UCSC Staff Mentorship Pilot Program

The UC Santa Cruz Staff Advisory Board is honored to announce the return of its Staff Mentorship Program.

UC Santa Cruz genetics lab helps solve the mystery of 'Miranda Eve'

Ancient DNA expert Ed Green helped identify the remains of a 19th-century baby Jane Doe found in San Francisco

Electric vehicle promotional discounts and rebate offers

One of UC's carbon neutrality initiatives includes a goal of having 4.5% of commute vehicles be zero-emission vehicles by 2025. As part of that initiative, TAPS is sharing information about two electric vehicle promotions currently available to all UCSC staff, faculty, students through the end of June.

UC Santa Cruz receives gift to establish Baskin Foundation Presidential Chair for Feminist Studies

UC Santa Cruz has received a $500,000 gift from the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation, plus matching funds from the UC Regents, to establish the $1 million "Peggy

Revisions to the policy on Electronic Information Security (IS-3)

The Office of the President invites comments on a proposed revisions to the policy on Electronic Information Security (IS-3).

Technology doesn't have to be a headache

Psychology Professor Steve Whittaker is working to improve the way we interface with technology--and harnessing it to improve our

Staff Appreciation Picnic on May 25

Please join Chancellor George Blumenthal and the Staff Advisory Board for the annual staff appreciation picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25 on the East Field. The picnic will feature informational tabling by campus-affiliated organizations, the presentation of the Outstanding Staff Award, and our famous raffle.

Sisters Julie and Kristen Gautier-Downes Turn Loss into an Art

Twin sisters, Julie and Kristen Gautier-Downes both decided to pursue the arts at UC Santa Cruz, graduating in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Julie earned her BA in Studio

New teaching center brings expert on campus climate to campus

The new Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at UC Santa Cruz celebrates its inaugural convocation on May 18 with a visit from alumna Susan Longerbeam (Merrill, ’84), a specialist in classroom cultural climate issues.

Bike to Work month events feature free food, helmets

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to host the 30th annual Santa Cruz County Spring Bike Week, May 8 -12, 2017.

UCSC to present environmental video installation at SF’s Minnesota Street Project

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present a dramatic, four-screen video installation in San Francisco, hosted and co-sponsored by Minnesota Street Project, the city’s

Graduate student John Felts takes second place in UC Grad Slam

Felts presented his work on Cruz Foam, a biodegradable alternative to polyurethane and polystyrene

Social Sciences Professor Julie Guthman wins Radcliffe Fellowship

Julie Guthman has been awarded a Radcliffe Institute Fellowship that will support a year-long residential research project at Harvard

U.S. farmland becoming a hot commodity as investors buy up acreage

Institutional investors have been buying up farmland across the country in a trend that could have significant impacts on farmers.

ITS Announcement: Follow up to Google Docs email scam

Yesterday’s Google Docs email scam involving thousands of UCSC accounts and millions of people, was dangerously convincing and pretty sophisticated.

Kerr Hall demonstration

I’m pleased to announce that the student demonstration in Kerr Hall that began Tuesday has ended, with both student protesters and campus administrators agreeing on a path forward.

ITS Alert: Google Docs Sharing Scam - May 3

There is an email scam circulating worldwide including our campus that appears to be from a legitimate email address that looks like someone is trying to share a Google Document with you.

Kerr Hall status

Climate scientist James Zachos elected to National Academy of Sciences

Election to the academy is one of the highest honors a U.S. scientist can

Flyers and Campus Climate

Campus Diversity Officers Dr. Teresa Maria Linda Scholz (Staff & Students) and Professor Martin Berger (Faculty) invite you to participate in a conversation about the flyers and campus climate. The event will take place on Monday, May 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Oakes Learning Center.

Canceled—Community and UCSC police town hall

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session

Open enrollment is underway for UC Santa Cruz Summer Session, which offers a wide range of classes and online courses across multiple departments.

Campus status updates

Both entrances are open as of 5 p.m. Motorists should drive with caution.

ITS Update: UCSC Website Outages

The campus websites have experienced two outages this morning. ITS is not exactly sure what is causing the outages, but we'll continue to investigate. Websites are stable at this time.

Community and UCSC police town hall

A town hall has been organized for May 2, 2017, from 5–7 p.m. at the Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room.