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May 2018 News Archive

June 5, 2018
Election Day—today
Please take the opportunity and exercise your right to vote. If you need information about polling locations—on and off campus—and the measures on your ballot, please go to www.votescount.com
May 31, 2018
Genes found only in humans influence brain size
A set of three nearly identical genes found only in humans appear to play a critical role in the development of our large brains, according to a study
May 30, 2018
Campus gearing up for commencement 2018
For the first time in more than a decade, exercises will be held in the newly renovated Quarry Amphitheater, as well as on the East Field.
May 30, 2018
Annual transportation survey
UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is launching its annual survey to collect data on the travel patterns of our students, faculty, and staff. The survey is a key part of our effort to monitor and improve our programs, services, and systems.
May 30, 2018
June 5 primary election
Tuesday, June 5, is Election Day in California. There are important matters on the ballot—primary candidates for governor as well as federal, state and local offices in addition to several local and state initiatives.
May 29, 2018
'First-gen' student pays it forward
The University of California is honoring Valeria Jacqueline Alonso Blanco with a prestigious award recognizing the impact of her leadership, advocacy and activism.
May 29, 2018
New model explains what we see when a massive black hole devours a star
Theoretical astrophysicists have developed a unified model that explains observations of tidal disruption events, when a black hole swallows a disrupted
May 29, 2018
Awards luncheon celebrates excellence in student scholarship
Students in the Division of Social Sciences gathered with friends, family members, faculty, staff, and donors on Thursday, May 24, to celebrate excellence in student scholarship and creativity.
May 29, 2018
Speakers challenge audience to rethink modern incarceration
Angela Davis returns to UC Santa Cruz with the two surviving members of the ‘Angola 3’ to discuss solitary confinement and call on society to transform itself to
May 25, 2018
Diverse campus landscapes are ideal outdoor laboratories—and classrooms
UC Santa Cruz is known for its beautiful landscapes, but its meadows, forests, farm fields, and coastal bluffs also support a range of scientific research and hands-on learning
May 25, 2018
May 25, 2018
Educational Partnership Center executive director honored with Winston Doby Impact Award
Maria Rocha-Ruiz, executive director of the UC Santa Cruz Educational Partnership Center, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Winston Doby Impact Award, which recognizes her commitment to
May 25, 2018
Public meetings to further dialogue on Student Housing West
In an effort to further discussion on Student Housing West, UC Santa Cruz will hold two information sessions next week and two public hearings the following week.
May 24, 2018
Selective neural connections can be reestablished in retina after injury, study finds
Circuit repair in the retina of adult ground squirrels can recreate the selective neural connections needed for color
May 24, 2018
Sammy Showcase features VR and video games from UCSC game design students
The public is invited to a fun, family-friendly game festival on Saturday, June 9, at the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus in Santa
May 24, 2018
Possible UAW activities on Wednesday, May 30
Through fliers posted on campus, the UC Student-Workers Union (UAW-2865) announced plans for additional activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30.
May 23, 2018
Biologist Beth Shapiro selected as Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator
Shapiro’s Paleogenomics Lab at UC Santa Cruz uses ancient DNA to study evolutionary history and the effects of environmental change on species and
May 23, 2018
New campus field research safety policy
UC Santa Cruz finalized the UC system’s first official field safety policy, Field Research Safety. This new policy follows a familiar risk management paradigm—risk assessment, planning, communication, and participation.
May 22, 2018
Bettina Aptheker to lead 'Women In the Arts' panel at Kuumbwa
The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation Presidential Chair for Feminist Studies and The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz will present "Always Moving Uphill: Women in the Arts,"
May 22, 2018
Astrophysicist Jedidah Isler will give annual Mandel Lecture on June 7
Award-winning astrophysicist Jedidah Isler will give a free public lecture entitled "Blazars: Nature's particle accelerators" on Thursday, June 7, at the Rio Theatre in Santa
May 21, 2018
Lightning in the eyewall of a hurricane beamed antimatter toward the ground
The first detection of a downward positron beam from a terrestrial gamma-ray flash was captured by an instrument flown through the eyewall of Hurricane Patricia in
May 21, 2018
Racism expert Tom Pettigrew shares award for impactful scholarship
Tom Pettigrew, research professor of social psychology at UC Santa Cruz, is being recognized by the Society for Experimental Social Psychology for the impact of his
May 21, 2018
Computer scientist Owen Arden wins NSF CAREER Award
Owen Arden, assistant professor of computer science in the Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the
May 21, 2018
Cowell Ranch Hay Barn website debuts
The popular Cowell Ranch Hay Barn now has its own website with information about how to rent the facility and adjacent Ocean View
May 18, 2018
Proposed policy: Disclosure of Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of Research
The Office of the President invites comments on a proposed new Presidential Policy on Disclosure of Financial Interests and Management of Conflicts of Interest in Private Sponsors of Research.
May 18, 2018
Undergraduate builds handcrafted bee hotels to attract pollinators
Mindful that the population of European honeybees is crashing worldwide due to Colony Collapse Disorder, Environmental Studies senior Forest Peri wanted to make a welcoming home for native
May 18, 2018
Planned Power Outage -- Saturday, May 26
PG&E will be replacing a power pole from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. This will result in a significant disruption to campus electrical service.
May 18, 2018
Strategic academic planning: Where we are and where we’re heading
Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Marlene Tromp offers an update on academic priority areas, removing barriers, funding, and more.
May 17, 2018
Transfer RNA research addresses a blind spot in understanding of human genes
Biomolecular engineer Todd Lowe has received a $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support his lab's international leadership in transfer RNA
May 16, 2018
'Future Garden' environmental art installation opens at Arboretum
The Institute of the Arts and Sciences presents the opening of "Future Garden for the Central Coast of California"--a site-specific environmental art installation by emeritus arts research professors
May 16, 2018
Guidance about Service and Emotional Support Animals at UCSC
We have assembled a number of resources that aim to clarify when and where service and emotional support animals are allowed on campus and answer the most common questions we receive.
May 15, 2018
Cowell coffee shop to transform into a basic needs cafe
We are pleased to share that Cowell College and Dining Services are moving forward in partnership with the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) to transform the Cowell Coffee Shop into a multi-service basic needs cafe with extended weekend hours, that will maintain a study space for students coupled with free coffee and tea and a food pantry.
May 15, 2018
Extending comment on the Student Housing West EIR
We have decided to extend the comment period to June 27, 2018. We will hold additional information sessions in May, as well as two more public hearings, on June 6 and 7.
May 15, 2018
Required eCourse - General Compliance Briefing
UC leadership is helping to raise our awareness of maintaining strong ethical values and the high standards of ethical conduct that are central to our Principles of Community.
May 14, 2018
Donate at work. Change lives in our community.
This year’s UC Santa Cruz United Way Campaign pledge drive is May 14–26.
May 14, 2018
Senate meeting to focus on several important topics
The May 16 Academic Senate meeting will include discussions on student evaluations of teaching, recommendations on the Kresge College classrooms, and much more.
May 14, 2018
Video highlights cultural differences in helpfulness
For the third year, a video by Distinguished Professor of Psychology Barbara Rogoff is featured in the "2018 STEM for All Video Showcase" hosted by the National Science
May 14, 2018
Public presentations by candidates for dean of graduate studies
Our campus is doing an internal recruitment for a vice provost and dean of graduate studies. You are invited to attend their public presentations and to provide feedback to the search committee.
May 14, 2018
Spate of violence in greater Santa Cruz area
Following a stabbing and a fatal shooting near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and additional incidents in the Soquel area, I want to remind members of our campus community to be aware of your surroundings.
May 11, 2018
UC Santa Cruz collaborates with SF Academy of Arts for spring production of 'The Magic Flute'
The UC Santa Cruz Music Department will present a fully-staged production of Mozart’s comic fantasy: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), May 31 through June 3, on campus at
May 11, 2018
Angela Davis joins May 22 panel discussion about mass incarceration
Angela Davis will join a May 22 panel discussion about mass incarceration, solitary confinement, and criminal justice reform that is being convened by Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig
May 10, 2018
Sue Carter named provost for Rachel Carson College
Professor Sue Carter said her vision for Rachel Carson College is to strengthen its role in supporting students as they seek to create a more sustainable future and
May 9, 2018
Resuming standard campus operations
As the last day of the AFSCME labor demonstration winds down, UC Santa Cruz expects to resume normal campus operations tomorrow (May 10).
May 9, 2018
Campus status updates
Get up-to-the minute updates about campus impacts from today's labor strike.
May 9, 2018
Main campus open; classes can continue; demonstration ongoing
Both entrances to the main campus are open, with the demonstration by AFSCME service workers and others continuing.
May 9, 2018
Unfounded rumors about immigration enforcement
Late yesterday, we heard rumors that federal immigration officers were on campus to do immigration checks. This is not true.
May 8, 2018
UCSC Night at the Museum to explore global impact of 1968 protest movements
The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz will present "UCSC Night at the Museum: Global 1968—Race and Revolution around the World," a free public event at the Santa
May 8, 2018
Update on campus demonstrations
As today’s labor action on campus by AFSCME service workers and others wraps up, we encourage members of the campus community to keep checking for updates starting early Wednesday on the continuing demonstrations and how they might be affecting campus operations.
May 8, 2018
Main campus open; demonstration continues
Both entrances to the main campus are open, with the demonstration by AFSCME service workers and others continuing.
May 7, 2018
In Memoriam: Joel Kubby (1957–2018)
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of Joel Kubby, professor of electrical engineering and former chair of the department.
May 7, 2018
Astronomers find an exoplanet atmosphere free of clouds
An international team of astronomers has detected an exoplanet atmosphere that is free of clouds, marking a pivotal breakthrough in the quest to better understand what lies at
May 7, 2018
Strike update—Classes starting prior to noon canceled; do not come to main campus
With both entrances of the main campus blocked by strike activity, UC Santa Cruz is canceling classes scheduled at the main campus and Coastal Science Campus starting before noon today with two exceptions.
May 7, 2018
Today’s strike activities
Everyone can stay updated by checking email, ucsc.edu/advisory, and 459-INFO.
May 7, 2018
Work expectations during remaining days of labor strike
As we approach tomorrow and the uncertainty it brings in being able to access our campus, we want to share guidance to help you and your employees.
May 7, 2018
With entrances open, afternoon classes can resume
With both entrances of main campus open, classes scheduled at the main and Coastal Science campuses starting at noon and later today can resume.
May 7, 2018
Providing instruction during remaining days of labor strike
Thank you for your commitment to our students today as we responded to the labor demonstration.
May 6, 2018
Information and resources about this week’s strike
As you are aware, we are anticipating a labor strike this week by AFSCME service workers. In advance of this scheduled strike activity, I write to share some information and resources that you may find helpful.
May 4, 2018
The bone whisperer
Forensic anthropologist Alison Galloway will retire from teaching this year, but her wisdom will live on through new online course that teaches both technical skills and the things
May 4, 2018
Elkhorn Slough scientist Kerstin Wasson honored as 'wetland hero'
An adjunct professor at UC Santa Cruz, Wasson will receive the 2018 National Wetlands Award for Scientific
May 4, 2018
Information and resources about next week’s strike
Though we do not know how the strike activities will impact the operation of our campus, we are working to do everything we can to meet your basic needs through what could be a disruptive time.
May 2, 2018
Labor demonstrations may impact campus dining operations
It is unknown how the strike will impact our campus, however, it is anticipated that dining halls may not have adequate staffing to serve prepared food during this time.
May 2, 2018
Student Health Services may be closed May 7–9
At this time, we do not know how these strike activities will impact the operation of our campus. It is possible staff may not be able to access campus and that all of health services will be closed Monday, May 7, Tuesday, May 8, and Wednesday, May 9.
May 2, 2018
Staff Appreciation Picnic date change and Thumbs Up Award submission extended
This year's picnic will be held in the newly renovated Quarry Amphitheater.
May 1, 2018
NIH grant supports development of a novel drug for stroke treatment
A drug discovery grant is funding the quest by UCSC chemistry professor Ted Holman to bring a new drug treatment for stroke to clinical
May 1, 2018
Scheduled labor strike for week of May 7
The University of California has been informed that there will be a AFSCME service worker labor strike on all of its campuses and medical centers beginning at 4 a.m. on May 7 and ending at 4 a.m. May 10.
May 1, 2018
Undergraduate Eric Medina wins $15,000 Strauss Scholarship to reinvigorate Oakes Garden
Eric Medina, a fourth year at UC Santa Cruz double majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and Latin American and Latino studies, has received a $15,000 public service
May 1, 2018
Expected strike impacts on Physical Planning, Development and Operations
Should entry to the campus be closed down or severely hindered, the campus's ability to provide normal custodial, grounds, building, utility, and fleet services will be greatly reduced.
April 2, 2018
Vice chancellor for information technology
Van Williams has been selected as UC Santa Cruz’s new vice chancellor for information technology, effective July 1.