All Audience Areas

A tilt of the head facilitates social engagement, researchers say

Every time we look at a face, we take in a flood of information effortlessly: age, gender, race, expression, the direction of our subject's gaze, perhaps even their mood. How the brain does this is a mystery.

Isaí Ambrosio named UCSC's inaugural "activist-in-residence"

Isaí Ambrosio is going back to school in January. The program director of the Davenport Resource Service Center (DRSC) has been named the inaugural activist-in-residence of UCSC's Research Center for the Americas (RCA).

UC negotiations with journal publisher

Calling for a significant change in our university's relationship with Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of academic journals.

Revising the Strategic Academic Plan documentation

Over the course of the fall quarter, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Herbie Lee and his team have produced another draft of the Strategic Academic Plan document based on robust feedback from the Senate and our community.

Two new books published by UC Santa Cruz poet, lecturer, and alumnus Gary Young

UC Santa Cruz literature lecturer Gary Young has just released "That's What I Thought," a new poetry collection which has been honored with the Lexi Rudnitsky Editor's Choice Award from Persea Books in New York City.

Interim director of Transportation and Parking Services

Dan Henderson will take over for Larry Pageler, who is retiring with 35 years of service to the university. Larry's last day is Jan. 3.

Save the date—forum on the development of Early Education Services for students, faculty, and staff

CITRIS releases call for seed funding proposals

Proposals must be submitted online and are due by Jan. 31. UC Santa Cruz will host an information session at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in Baskin Engineering 2, Room 180 (The Simularium).

Submit comments on proposed changes to Title IX rules by Dec. 21

The draft rules are open for public comment until January 28, 2019 (60 calendar days from their publication in the Federal Register). The rules address a topic of great significance to the UC community, and it is critical that the Office of the President provide comments.

Ocean fertilization by unusual microbes extends to frigid waters of Arctic Ocean

Researchers have documented nitrogen fixation by an unusual type of cyanobacteria in the cold waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas.

The complex history of Earth’s magnetic reversals

UC Santa Cruz geology professor Robert Coe will be presenting his paper, “What We Know and Don’t Know about Reversals” during the upcoming American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in Washington, D.C. this December.

Biochemist Glenn Millhauser receives Outstanding Faculty Award

The annual award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences is the division's highest honor for faculty achievement, recognizing combined excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Wild animals key to mediating landscape’s capacity to store carbon, researchers say

Advances in remote sensing technologies are helping scientists to better measure how global landscapes—from forests to savanna—are able to store carbon, a critical insight as they evaluate the potential role of ecosystems in mitigating climate change.

Alumna Irma Eréndira Sandoval leads Mexico's anti-corruption efforts

Mexico's new president tapped UC Santa Cruz alumna Irma Sandoval to lead the government's anti-corruption efforts.

DVD box set curated by Shelley Stamp wins 2018 New York Film Critics Circle Award

"Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers"--a Kino Classics box set curated by UC Santa Cruz film and digital media professor Shelley Stamp and executive produced by actress, director, and screenwriter Illeana Douglas--has received a 2018 Special Award from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Submit comments on revised proposed policy on open access for theses and dissertations

Art exhibit highlights the ubiquity of motors

“Motors Surround Us”—a collaboration between a physics lecturer, her students, and community artists—will be on display through Dec. 31 in the atrium of the Physical Sciences Building.

Environmental, social changes shift how elephant seals communicate

UC Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate Caroline Casey retraced biologist Burney Le Boeuf's scientific footsteps and discovered the seals’ threat calls no longer had geographic distinctions. Instead, as the northern elephant seal population had increased, the males’ calls had grown more individualized and complex.

More key forms digitized by Office of Industry Alliances and Technology Commercialization

After launching an online Invention Disclosure Form last year, the Office of Industry Alliances and Technology Commercialization (IATC) has followed up this year by digitizing and streamlining its non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and material transfer agreement (MTA) request procedures.

Campus boating center earns best-in-show award in parade

For the fifth year in a row, the UC Santa Cruz Community Boating Center earned the coveted best-in-show award at the 33rd annual Lighted Boat Parade held at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Kepler telescope captures extraordinary observations of a star's death throes

Kepler's observations of the supernova known as SN 2018oh showed an unexpected fast rise in brightness that may be an important clue to understanding the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae, which cosmologists use to study the expansion of the universe and dark energy.

Summer abroad programs offer hands-on learning opportunities

UC Santa Cruz has significantly expanded its faculty-led summer abroad programs, now offering seven different opportunities for students to further their education in other countries.

UC Santa Cruz receives significant Hunter S. Thompson collection

An 800-volume collection of works by famed author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson has been donated to Special Collections & Archives at UC Santa Cruz.

Campus meeting on proposed revisions to the systemwide Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment

In Memoriam: Stuart A. Schlegel

Stuart A. Schlegel, a retired professor, died Nov. 8 at his Santa Cruz home. He was 85 years old.

Retention specialist recognized by student affairs association

Aaron Jones, a retention specialist for African, black, and Caribbean students, was recently recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators for his service in its African American Knowledge Community.

Ocean scientist Jonathan Zehr elected 2018 AAAS Fellow

Jonathan Zehr, professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been awarded the distinction of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Alumni listening session on Dec. 4

The UC Santa Cruz Chancellor’s Search Advisory Committee invites and encourages alumni to join a listening session from 4–5 p.m. on Dec. 4 via video conference.

Dec. 3 town hall focused on chancellor search

The UC Santa Cruz Chancellor’s Search Advisory Committee invites and encourages faculty, staff, and students to attend town hall sessions at the Stevenson College Event Center on Monday, Dec. 3.

New director of Sponsored Projects

Deirdre Beach has been appointed director of the Office of Sponsored Projects.

Last chance to see 'Forest Law' by Ursula Biemann and Paulo Tavares at UC Santa Cruz

Forest Law 2014, a 38-minute multi-channel video installation and photo text assemblage based on research carried out by Ursula Biemann and Paulo Tavares in the Ecuadorian Amazon, is currently on display at the Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery through December 1.

Student pushes for authentic representation of deaf community

Chrissy Marshall became interested in making videos about deaf culture because as a child, she saw very little representation of deaf people in the media or on YouTube.

Campus opens new hub for student food security, support

A new basic needs cafe at Cowell College offers free coffee, prepared meals, a juicing station and pastries—all intended to provide low income students with healthy options and alleviate stressors related to feeding themselves.

Entrepreneur and UC Santa Cruz benefactor Will Webster dies at 90

Webster, a major donor who invented revolutionary cardiac devices, established a foundation that spearheaded significant campus changes.

New opportunities for faculty to engage with Beyond Compliance initiative

UC Santa Cruz faculty members have two new opportunities to help eliminate sexual harassment and sexual violence on campus.

Solar panels, storage system to further campus sustainability

The solar photovoltaic canopy and battery storage system will help provide the campus with clean, reliable electricity for at least 20-years and save the campus an estimated $6 million on its energy bill.

Showcasing our sustainability

The campus, through the Sustainability Office, is in the midst of collecting information to submit for our 2019 report to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS).

2018 photo contest winners

There were over 100 entries this year in the chancellor's holiday photo contest. Here are the winners.

Lit prof offers true love and dreams of miraculous escape

The latest book by UC Santa Cruz literature professor Micah Perks, is a unique anthology of her short stories that sometimes reads like a novel. Written over the past 15 years, it’s a linked collection of engaging tales about the same people--all set in Santa Cruz, California.

Oil and gas development off California's coast—Is more in our future?

The Ken Norris Memorial Lecture at the Seymour Center on Tuesday, November 13, features a moderated discussion with an expert panel.

Summer Session team earns awards for work

UC Santa Cruz Summer Session recently won five awards at the 2018 North American Association of Summer Sessions (NAASS) conference held in Portland, Oregon.

SocDoc alumna’s film about Syrian women refugees to have world premiere at DOC NYC

We Are Not Princesses, the first feature film by UC Santa Cruz alumna Bridgette Auger (SocDoc ’11) will have its world premiere on November 14 at DOC NYC, the largest documentary film festival in the United States.

Beyond campaign rhetoric: What's really needed to secure California's economic future

With the world's fifth-largest economy, California has legitimate bragging rights as it proudly leads the "resistance" to federal attacks on immigrant rights, environmental policy, and progressive values in general. But that's not the whole story.

New website offers resources to support campus teachers

A new campus website connects faculty, graduate student Instructors, and teaching assistants with a host of resources, both on campus and off, to support their teaching.

Hear the "Inside Story of the Apes" on Tuesday, Nov. 13

Adrienne Zihlman had a hunch 30 years ago that the study of human evolution would benefit from the analysis of more than skeletons. That hunch set her on a career path that established her as an internationally recognized authority on human origins.

Legendary poet Gary Snyder to read at UC Santa Cruz for annual Morton Marcus event

Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, essayist, and environmental activist Gary Snyder will be the featured guest at the ninth annual Morton Marcus Memorial Poetry Reading on Thursday, November 15, at the Music Center Recital Hall on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Exhibit showcases art inspired by the UC Santa Cruz Natural Reserves

'Reserves of Inspiration: Exploring UC Santa Cruz Natural Landscapes' opens November 6 at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery in Cowell College.

In Memoriam: Helene Moglen (1936 – 2018)

Student team creates Stumpjumper videogame for Specialized bicycle company

'Stumpjumper: The Videogame', developed by a team of UCSC game design students, was released October 11.

$9.3 million education grant to support Pajaro Valley students in college journey

The grant, to the UC Santa Cruz Educational Partnership Center (EPC), will serve 1,630 underrepresented students in the Pajaro Valley beginning in their sixth and seventh grades and on through their first year of college.

New policy on disclosure of financial interests and management of conflicts of interest in private sponsors of research

The policy applies to any research activity that is funded or supported by a non-governmental entity in whole or in part through a contract or grant; by a gift which is designated by the gift donor for a specific research project, or a specific Principal Investigator, or a laboratory or research program headed by a Principal Investigator; or through in-kind support provided under a material transfer agreement (MTA).

Campus status updates

UC Santa Cruz received notice on Oct. 12, 2018 that there will be a labor strike beginning 4 a.m. on October 23 and ending at 3:59 a.m. on October 26, 2018 by AFSCME patient care technical workers.

Grant supports improved stormwater management

With support from a federal grant, UC Santa Cruz will improve stormwater drainage at the Emergency Response Center to promote infiltration into the soil and protect water quality.

Founders Celebration a night of powerful stories

Journalists Martha Mendoza, Mike McPhate, and Carrie Kahn regaled the audience with stories of hard work, staffing cutbacks, investigative reporting and on-the-ground journalism during Founders Celebration.

Student feedback on teaching: A new platform and a new approach

Starting this fall, the campus has a new way to gather and use student feedback about courses and instructors. In addition to supporting end-of-term course surveys, the new system offers more ongoing and active ways for instructors to collect feedback from students.

Information and resources about this week's strike

As the leaders for Student Success, Graduate Studies, and Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services, our charge is to ensure that students thrive. We support the whole student, employing practices that enable UC Santa Cruz students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

Stay informed during strike

As previously shared, the University of California has been informed that there will be a labor strike on all of its campuses and medical centers beginning at 4 a.m. on Oct. 23 and ending at 3:59 a.m. on Oct. 26.

Visionary tech pioneer Jaron Lanier to deliver Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture

Computer scientist, composer, visual artist, and acclaimed author Jaron Lanier will deliver the 2018 Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture on Monday, October 29, at the Music Center Recital Hall. He will speak on the topic, "How the Internet Failed and How to Recreate It."

Creating a culture shift in fieldwork

A workshop designed by a UC Santa Cruz professor and Ph.D. student aims to help scientists learn how to prevent and deal with sexual assault and harassment in field settings, where researchers often work in harsh conditions and close quarters miles from help.

UC Santa Cruz receives Mellon Foundation humanities grant to explore Earth Futures

Catastrophic environmental breakdown, mass species extinction, financial collapse, racist separatism, global nuclear war…there is much speculation these days that we are living at the end of democracy, liberalism, capitalism, a cool planet, and civilization as we know it...

Community invited to housing project hearings

UC Santa Cruz will be holding two public hearings next week on Student Housing West’s revised draft environmental impact report.

Revisions to the UC Policy on Vehicle and Driver Selection

The Office of the President invites comments on a proposed revision to Presidential Policy on the Use of Vehicles and Driver Selection (BFB-BUS-46).

Fire training near Crown Meadow on Wednesday

Firefighters will be conducting training near Crown Meadow on Oct. 17, from 7:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m.

Information and resources about upcoming strike activities

UC Santa Cruz received notice on Oct. 12, 2018 that there will be a labor strike beginning 4 a.m. on October 23 and ending at 3:59 a.m. on October 26, 2018 by AFSCME patient care technical workers.

Getty Research Institute and PBS feature work by alumna book artist Felicia Rice

On October 20, The Getty Research Institute will present the world premiere screening of Visionaries, the newest episode from PBS's award-winning documentary series, Craft in America. UC Santa Cruz arts alumna Felicia Rice is featured in that episode.

Gary Griggs covers region's history of natural disasters in new book

Griggs puts the natural disasters of recent decades into historical context in his latest book, 'Between Paradise and Peril: The Natural Disaster History of the Monterey Bay Region.'

Arts professor to participate in Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Faculty Seminar Program

UC Santa Cruz associate professor of film and digital media L.S. Kim is one of 25 professors from colleges and universities across the country selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Faculty Seminar Program.

Three UCSC professors honored as Fellows of the California Academy of Sciences

Biologist Beth Shapiro and astronomers Claire Max and Natalie Batalha are among 14 new fellows elected to the California Academy of Sciences for 2018.

UCSC hosts free public forum Oct. 22 on the Santa Cruz housing crisis

Six UC Santa Cruz scholars will discuss rent control and other proposals to address the Santa Cruz housing crisis during a free public forum on Monday, October 22, in the Kresge Town Hall.

Astronomer Natalie Batalha to receive Alumni Achievement Award

After serving as science lead for NASA’s Kepler Mission from 2011 to 2017, Batalha is returning to UC Santa Cruz as a professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Nine in 10 Silicon Valley jobs pay less now than 20 years ago, new research reveals

The vast majority of workers in Silicon Valley have been excluded from the area’s enormous economic boom, according to the results of a new study that reveals that nearly nine in ten jobs pay less today than they did 20 years ago.

New twist on 'The Turn of the Screw' to have West Coast premiere at UC Santa Cruz

The West Coast premiere of a new interpretation of the Henry James Gothic classic, 'Strange Window: The Turn of the Screw'--directed by acclaimed stage director and UC Santa Cruz theater arts professor Marianne Weems--will take place October 12-14 on campus at the Experimental Theater in the Theater Arts Center.

Alumni Profile: Author-naturalist Christian Schwarz crusades on behalf of the planet

With his smart phone in hand, Christian Schwarz is empowering "citizen scientists" to document today's biodiversity in hopes of inspiring action before it's too late.

Oakes College Provost House name change honors visionary

The Oakes Provost House will be renamed to honor Emeritus Professor and founding Oakes College Provost J. Herman Blake at a ceremony this month.

Arctic ecology field course a memorable experience for students

After studying Arctic ecology and environmental change in the classroom, students experienced it firsthand on a three-week summer field trip .

Housing crisis impacting city and county employees, survey reveals

Those who work for and serve the city and county of Santa Cruz are being impacted by the housing crisis, according to researchers who surveyed nearly 500 people.

SACNAS to honor UC Santa Cruz chapter at annual diversity in STEM conference

The UCSC chapter will be recognized as 2018 Chapter of the Year for its outstanding achievements.

Required state and federal notices

The University of California, Santa Cruz, is committed to assisting all members of the community in providing for their safety and security.

Central Valley Freedom Summer registers voters, changes lives

For most kids who grow up in the Central Valley, the goal is to get out. But this summer, 25 UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced students turned that narrative on its head and returned home, eager to give back to their communities.

ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students

Thirteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $141,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation.

19 UCSC film students collaborate on documentary about Santa Cruz housing crisis

"At Capacity"—a collectively-made documentary feature film by 19 students in a UC Santa Cruz film class--will screen twice at the 2018 Santa Cruz Film Festival, which takes place downtown October 3-7.

Voices from move-in 2018

Nervous new students arrived with their parents to settle in to their new campus housing during move-in, about a week before the start of the fall quarter. Our podcast captures the emotion of the moment.

LA County's new public defender is guided by 'presumption of innocence'

This fall, UCSC alum Ricardo Garcia will take the helm of the LA County Public Defender's Office—the largest and oldest public defender's unit in the country.

Chancellor recognized as community hero

Chancellor George Blumenthal was among 11 community heroes honored by Assemblyman Evan Low, who represents Silicon Valley.

Campus abuzz as academic year kicks off

This past week, UC Santa Cruz welcomed 3,690 freshmen and 1,810 transfers, who begin instruction Thursday.

New faculty to advance campus teaching, research

UC Santa Cruz is welcoming more than 35 new faculty members this year, bringing the campus total to 603.

Reports of sexual misconduct by a professor

We expect everyone in our campus community to know that sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are at odds with the values of our campus.

Civil rights guide new Title IX director’s approach

Title IX Director Isabel Dees hopes to continue the push for educational equity and social justice by focusing on improving how the office responds to complaints, spending more time engaging with the campus community, and ultimately demonstrating that the work of the Title IX office is civil rights work.

Update on Kresge College renewal to be given during town hall

Campus invited to celebrate the Healthy Campus Network

Attendees can grab a bite and talk with folks about the many programs that are available to the campus community to improve wellness.

Community engagement enhances graduate education

Associate Professor Elliott Campbell and Professor Chris Benner co-taught a Spring Quarter class to connect first-year graduate students with environmental problems in the Salinas Valley Basin and to foster collaboration with off-campus stakeholders.

Major revisions to the Electronic Information Security Policy

The University of California Office of the President has issued major revisions to the Electronic Information Security Policy (IS-3) following a systemwide review.

Chancellor Blumenthal announces plan to retire

In a message to campus, Chancellor George Blumenthal announced his plan to retire at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.

UC president offers 'profound' gratitude to retiring chancellor

UC President Janet Napolitano praised Chancellor George Blumenthal for greatly expanding access to the university during his tenure as chancellor.

NSF funds UC Santa Cruz study of tech in agriculture

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are leading a new, NSF-funded, multi-campus initiative to explore the intersection of agriculture, food, and technology.

Student Housing West environmental study

Student Housing West is crucial to the future of our university. It will give us more than 3,000 new on-campus beds, which we believe will pull upper-division students now in the local housing market back to campus, helping them while also easing pressure on the greater local housing market.

Emeritus UCSC philosophy professor honored at Oxford University as All Souls College’s first African Prize scholar

In 1959, UC Santa Cruz emeritus professor of philosophy William Abraham won a Prize Fellowship at Oxford University’s All Souls College, an award recognized by many as the ultimate post graduate achievement at the renowned institution. In doing so, the Ghanaian academic became the first African to receive this honor, and in fact remains the only African Prize Fellow to date.

Very few sexually active gay and bisexual men use prophylactic drug to prevent HIV transmission, study finds

Only 4 percent of sexually active gay and bisexual men in the United States use Truvada, a highly effective medication used to prevent the transmission of HIV, according to the results of a first-of-its-kind study.

Library digitizes over 6,000 photos from Pirkle Jones/Ruth-Marion Baruch collection

Thousands of previously unseen photographs from The Pirkle Jones and Ruth-Marion Baruch Collection at UC Santa Cruz are now available online to the general public, thanks to a collaboration between the campus library and the California Digital Library.

With track record in social mobility, UC Santa Cruz advances in U.S. News and World Report ranking

Boosted by its success in helping students achieve social mobility, UC Santa Cruz jumped this year to among the top 30 public national universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Sounding it out

Alumnus Alexis Harte’s long career as a singer/songwriter has included original albums and songs for TV and film, and his company has become a pioneer in scoring and sound design.

Revision to the Sustainable Practices policy

The University of California Office of the President has issued a revision to the Sustainable Practices policy.

Bay Area’s 'Soundwave' festival to feature work by UC Santa Cruz arts faculty and alumnae

"Soundwave ((8)) Infrastructure" runs September through October with six curated performances throughout San Francisco and Oakland. It kicks off on Sept. 8, at Counter Plus in San Francisco with "HVAC: Thermal Comfort," a new work by art lecturer and alumna Dana Hemenway and San Francisco media artist and composer Surabhi Saraf.

Gifts to UC Santa Cruz fund new presidential chair for diversity in astronomy

UCSC astronomer Sandra Faber and her husband made the lead gift to establish an endowed chair named in honor of Faber's mentor, distinguished astronomer Vera Rubin.

UC Santa Cruz researchers contribute to new assessment of Central Coast climate impacts

Nearly a dozen UC Santa Cruz researchers contributed to a new state-issued report that assesses the dire impacts of climate change throughout California.

LHC scientists detect Higgs bosons decaying into bottom quarks

UC Santa Cruz physicists made important contributions to the discovery, which confirms the fate of the vast majority of all Higgs bosons produced in the LHC.

Film professor Jennifer Taylor wins grant from the SFFILM 2018 Documentary Film Fund

UC Santa Cruz associate professor of film and digital media Jennifer Maytorena Taylor has received a grant from the SFFILM Documentary Film Fund to support her latest project, "The Gut."

Fire in the belly

Alumna Caroline Carpenter was the first woman to graduate at the top of the Los Angeles Fire Department Academy—a testament to determination and grit.

Alumna Reyna Grande pens NY Times op-ed on immigration

Earlier this week, the New York Times published an op-ed by UC Santa Cruz alumna Reyna Grande titled "The Impossible Choice My Father Had to Make." The piece was a response to a statement by Ivanka Trump that appeared to blame immigrant parents for the separation of families this summer at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Where'd I put my keys?

Ben Storm, an associate professor of psychology, is fascinated by how memory supports thinking, learning, and creativity.

Voices from the Dickens Universe

Here's your chance to get an audio immersion in UC Santa Cruz's famed Dickens Universe—you'll feel like you're right there, uncovering new meanings in the text, drinking tea, and getting ready for the Victorian dance.

In Memoriam: Nik Madsen

UC Santa Cruz staff member Nikolas Madsen died July 20 in an auto accident while traveling in the country of Columbia.

New book by UC Santa Cruz arts professor examines cultural impact of video games

In her new book, 'On Video Games: The Visual Politics of Race, Gender and Space,' UC Santa Cruz professor Soraya Murray goes beyond the technical discussions of games and instead offers a deep dive into their cultural dimensions.

Tough life on the savannah

Researchers have identified dietary differences among chimpanzees that live in distinct habitats, an insight that may shed light on the past diets of early human ancestors.

UC Santa Cruz awarded two NEH grants for Humanities projects

UC Santa Cruz has received two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support humanities projects in the Literature Department.

Aspiring archaeologists get hands-on experience in Haiti, St. Croix

J. Cameron Monroe, associate professor of anthropology, took four Howard University undergraduates on an archaeological expedition to Haiti and St. Croix this summer as part of a UC partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Certificate program seeks to reframe sustainability

The certificate program seeks to examine sustainability not only through the lens of the environment, but also through the lens of people. Registration opens Aug. 14.

Coastal Science and Policy graduate program welcomes first cohort of students

The new graduate program in Coastal Science and Policy at UC Santa Cruz will welcome its first cohort of students in fall 2018.

Traffic control at Empire Grade Road from Aug. 13 to Aug. 31

As part of maintenance work on UC Santa Cruz sewer lines, the campus will have traffic control measures in place from Aug. 13 to Aug. 31, creating possible delays for motorists.

Moral decision making is rife with internal conflict, say developmental psychologists

A new in-depth study of moral reasoning challenges the popular notion that people are unable to think through difficult moral problems and rely primarily on automatic "gut" reactions to make tough decisions.

Deportation and family separation impact entire communities, researchers say

The deportation and forced separation of immigrants has negative effects that extend beyond individuals and families to entire communities in the United States, according to the Society for Community Research and Action, which has issued a policy statement calling for changes to U.S. policy.

UC Santa Cruz ranks among most LGBTQ-friendly campuses

The Affordable Colleges Online ranking looks at academic rigor, affordability, and support for LGBTQ students. UC Santa Cruz came in at No. 30 overall and No. 5 among UC campuses.

In Memoriam: Ben Doniach

Ben Doniach, a former UC Santa Cruz employee, died on July 10, 2018 from injuries suffered in a collision with a car while riding his bike. He was 61.

Devastating events can drive human trafficking, paper shows

Researchers found an uptick in online ads for sexual services mentioning Jamaican and Caribbean ethnicities following a 2016 hurricane in the Caribbean.

In Memoriam: Armando Luis Calderon

Armando Luis Calderon served at UC Santa Cruz as an assistant cook for Dining Services since September 2003.

Natural habitat can help farmers control pests, but not always a win-win

An international team of scientists found that natural habitat surrounding farm fields is not always an effective pest-control tool for farmers worldwide.

Two UCSC graduate students win HHMI Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study

The Gilliam Fellowships support exceptional graduate students who are committed to increasing diversity among scientific leaders.

New meta-analysis reveals pace and extent of river recovery

A new global meta-analysis by UC Santa Cruz researchers reveals patterns of river responsiveness to disturbances such as oil spills, wastewater contamination, and fires.

Alumna author Kate Schatz spotlights ‘rad girls’ under age 20

'Rad Girls Can': Stories of Bold, Brave, and Brilliant Young Women is the title of the latest book by UC Santa Cruz alumna Kate Schatz, the New York Times best-selling author of 'Rad Women Worldwide' and 'Rad American Women A-Z.'

Psychology's Adriana Manago receives early-career award

Adriana Manago, assistant professor of psychology, has received an Early Career Award from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology.

Campus, Silicon Valley leaders celebrate Lick Observatory’s 130th anniversary

The University of California owns and operates the observatory, which was founded by a bequest from James Lick. It opened in 1888.

Staff member honored for outstanding leadership in college housing

Alex Belisario, senior director for college student life at Crown and Merrill colleges, has been honored with the Charles L. Miller Leadership and Service Award from the Western Association of College and University Housing Officers (WACUHO).

New IT leader drawn to campus to improve world

Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Van Williams has already begun meeting with each of the 240 staff members in the ITS organization and will conduct several listening sessions in the coming months to get more feedback and insight from campus constituents.

Professor’s new film 'Redneck Muslim' now streaming on PBS

Redneck Muslim, a new short film by associate professor of film and digital media Jennifer Maytorena Taylor, is one of 25 films currently screening in the 2018 PBS Online Film Festival as a presentation of the PBS series POV.

UC Santa Cruz receives grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has awarded a $57,000 grant to the UC Santa Cruz Arts Division’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences.

Equity, inclusion, diversity are priorities for new dean of students

Garrett Naiman, incoming dean of students and associate vice chancellor for student development and engagement, comes to campus with a strong focus on diversity and a long history of working for inclusion.

New research calculates capacity of North American forests to sequester carbon

Researchers have calculated the capacity of North American forests to sequester carbon in an analysis that for the first time integrates the effects of natural forest growth and climate changes that are likely to alter the growth process.

Dickens Universe to offer public talk by alumnus on new novel ‘The Spirit Photographer’

2018 marks the 38th year of the Dickens Universe at UC Santa Cruz, and the event is nearly sold out. But fear not. A special feature of this year's program is a free day, Tuesday, July 17, when the conference will be open without charge to members of the local community.

Growing graduate programs to meet the needs of today's students

Lori Kletzer enjoys leadership challenges that involve collaboration and strategic thinking, two skills that will come into play in her new role as vice provost and dean of the Division of Graduate Studies.

Campus marks new record for transfer admissions offers

Faced with the largest applicant pool in campus history—67,000 applications—and a smaller enrollment target than the previous year, UC Santa Cruz increased its admission selectivity. UC Santa Cruz anticipates welcoming about 5,600 new undergraduates for fall 2018.

Alumna and film producer Stephanie Allain champions diversity

Stephanie Allain is a rare gem in the film industry. Not only is she brilliant and successful, but as an African-American woman who got her start over 25 years ago in a notoriously and overwhelmingly white and male-dominated business, she has charged ahead to break open established perceptions.

From Math Major to Renowned Hollywood Music Editor, Alumnus Bill Bernstein Knows All the Right Notes

Having been the music editor on over 60 outstanding films during the course of his career, Bill Bernstein’s musical talent is epic. From working on such movies as The Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty (for which he won a Grammy), The Help and Skyfall to many Pixar hits including Finding Nemo, Wall-E, and Finding Dory…it seems like every project he touches is a resounding success.

Gallery between North and South Korea features exhibition by art professor Jimin Lee

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea is an unlikely setting for an art gallery. Established in 1953 as part of an armistice agreement that ended three years of brutal war, the DMZ is a 2.5-mile-wide band that runs 155 miles across the Korean peninsula, serving as a buffer zone between the two countries...

Learn how to grow and assemble beautiful bouquets

Learn how to create beautiful homegrown organic flower arrangements at a lecture and demonstration workshop on July 15.

Farm ranked among top college farms

The UC Santa Cruz Farm has been ranked among the top 15 college farms in the country by Best Value Schools.

In Memoriam: Alex Beletsis

Cowell College student Alex Beletsis passed away after an accident near the end of spring quarter.

Important new work on autism could change interventions

A new paper is pushing back hard on the notion that people with autism are not interested in socializing.

UC issues new policy on export controls

The University of California Office of the President has issued a new policy on Export Controls effective June 21, 2018.

Thank Instagram and Snapchat for your fading memories

Research by UC Santa Cruz doctoral student Julia Soares has found compelling evidence that the act of taking a photograph impairs people’s memories of the event.

B. Ruby Rich invited to join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

UC Santa Cruz arts dean's eminent professor of film and digital media B. Ruby Rich has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. The world's preeminent film organization, it is best known for presenting the annual Academy Awards.

ISEE receives presidential award for excellence in STEM mentoring

The UC Santa Cruz Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators has received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

Astronomer Alexie Leauthaud wins DOE Early Career Award

The award from DOE's Early Career Research Program supports Leauthaud's research on dark energy.

Climate scientist Nicole Feldl wins NSF CAREER Award

NSF grant includes funding for climate research and for a cross-disciplinary environmental game project for students to develop a learning game about climate science.

Five UC Santa Cruz students present futuristic game at IndieCade Showcase

A group of five students from UC Santa Cruz presented their game, "Meet Me in the Garden," at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles last week as part of the annual IndieCade Showcase.

Alumnus Dency Nelson's Brilliant Hollywood Career

With an amazing career in Hollywood spanning nearly 40 years, Dency Nelson has been the stage manager for almost every major award and event show for the past 25 years, including the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Kennedy Center Honors.

Corporate-sponsored projects give engineering students valuable experience

UC Santa Cruz engineering students presented their senior design projects to mentors and faculty on Tuesday, June 5.

Linguistics professor Jim McCloskey receives Dizikes Award for teaching in Humanities

Linguistics professor Jim McCloskey was presented with the John Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities at the Humanities Division’s 2018 Spring Awards celebration held at the Cowell Provost House.

Jody Greene appointed associate vice provost for teaching and learning

Jody Greene, professor of literature, feminist studies, and history of consciousness, and director of the Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL), has been appointed associate vice provost for teaching and learning within the Academic Affairs Division. This appointment is through June 2019.

An advocate for instructors and staff

Outstanding Staff Award winner Judy Scarborough ensures quality teaching at UC Santa Cruz by keeping human resources seamless.

Reforming California's commercial property tax system would boost the economy, report says

Reforming California's property tax structure to tax commercial properties at their market value would boost the economy by generating new revenue, stimulating development, and diversifying industry, according to a new report by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Graduates mark new era, seek to improve world for all

More than 3,200 students participated in commencement ceremonies in the colleges, Graduate Division, and Baskin School of Engineering.

Commencement stories: Benjamin Smithers

Benjamin Smithers is a double major in mathematics and physics who is now working on his Ph.D.: an expedition into the world of neutrino physics.

Commencement stories: Vincent Williams

Vincent Williams uses graphic design, sculptural installations, collage, and photography to comment on the history of black identity both in the United States and in Western art.

Biomolecular engineer Angela Brooks named Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences

Brooks will receive a $300,000 award over four years to support her research on how mutations associated with cancer cause changes in gene expression.

Children in India exhibit religious tolerance, study finds

A new investigation of how children reason about religious rules reveals a remarkable level of acceptance of different religions' rules and practices.

Steck Award recipient aims to study disease, help society

Josh Gu is this year’s winner of the Steck Family Award, which honors the best senior thesis completed during the academic year, with the winner chosen from the Chancellor's Award candidates. He earned a degree in bioengineering with a biomolecular concentration.

The new queer teenager

Queer youth today are in a paradoxical situation, coming out earlier and becoming leaders even as they cope with the significant challenges of adolescence, Psychology Professor Phil Hammack told a panel convened by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

Instruments of good

Introductory physics students test their knowledge and get exposure to the wider world in a class project in which they create musical instruments to be donated to kids in need.

Standing tall and giving back

For graduating senior Asante Nkosi, a double major in sociology and history allowed him to connect his experiences with his interest in black U.S. history, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contemporary moment.

SocDoc graduate documentary films to be screened June 13 at Del Mar Theater

UC Santa Cruz will present the premiere of thesis films by three graduating students in the field of social documentation on Wednesday, June 13, at the Del Mar Theater in downtown Santa Cruz.

Commencement stories: Rachel Doran

Rachel Doran is a Ph.D. candidate in the graduate program in biomedical sciences and engineering, working on HIV immunogens. She has won a Graduate Research Symposium award for her presentation on “From armor to Achilles heel: Targeting the glycan shield of HIV in novel vaccine strategies".

New Grateful Dead Archive exhibit opens at McHenry Library

"Put Your Gold Money Where Your Love Is, Baby: Counterculture, Capitalism, and the Grateful Dead" is the title of a new exhibition now open to the public at UC Santa Cruz.

Help from the wizarding world

A gift from a Harry Potter–themed virtual running club enables a UC Santa Cruz professor to observe whales in Antarctica

Commencement stories: Isabell Retamoza

Isabell Retamoza is a literature and feminist studies major and THI undergraduate fellow, with plans to study law at Northwestern University.

Researchers discuss educational needs of Latino, immigrant, and disadvantaged youth

A recent informal interdisciplinary workshop focused on the educational needs and experiences of Latino and immigrant youth.

Enhancing staff engagement

Reminder: UC Santa Cruz will be hosting a listening session at 2 p.m. today at the Stevenson Event Center on the main campus.

Commencement stories: Henry Hinton

Henry Hinton, graduating with a bioengineering degree from the Jack Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, will be attending Harvard University for his electrical engineering Ph.D. in the fall.

Climate scientist James Zachos appointed to Ida Benson Lynn Endowed Chair in Ocean Health

Zachos has spent his career studying episodes of climate change in Earth's distant past and their relevance to current global warming.

Master's degree approved for Science Communication Program

The UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Program will award students a M.S. degree in science communication starting in fall 2018.

Chancellor’s awards recognize achievement in diversity, inclusion

Underscoring the commitment by UC Santa Cruz to promote diversity, inclusion, and excellence, Chancellor George Blumenthal recognized the people and programs making contributions to these goals through their work.

UC Santa Cruz offers new major in environmental sciences

UC Santa Cruz has approved a new interdisciplinary major in environmental sciences leading to a B.S. degree.

Campus phone service restored

UC Santa Cruz is currently experience an outage in its campus phone service.

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.

'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.

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.

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 opportunities for students.

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 improving educational opportunities for California students.

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.

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 Clara.

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.

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.

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," on Tuesday, May 29, at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in downtown Santa Cruz.

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 Cruz.

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 scholarship.

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 Field.

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 bees.

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.

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.

'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 Newton Harrison and his late wife Helen Mayer Harrison at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

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.

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.

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.

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 the Music Center Recital Hall.

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 Haney.

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 make it a place for them to gain skills needed for green careers in which they can develop sustainable innovations to preserve the environment.

Campus status updates

Get up-to-the minute updates about campus impacts from today's labor strike.

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 Cruz Museum of Art and History, on Wednesday, May 16.

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.

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 you don’t find in textbooks.

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.

Staff Appreciation Picnic date change and Thumbs Up Award submission extended

This year's picnic will be held in the newly renovated Quarry Amphitheater.

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.

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 scholarship to reinvigorate the garden at Oakes College.

The Slugs came home

Returning Banana Slugs ran a road race, took to the airwaves, attended thought-provoking presentations and honored a beloved professor during the 2018 Alumni Weekend celebration.

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn recognized for energy-efficient systems

The newly restored Cowell Ranch Hay Barn continues to reap recognition and awards, the latest from professionals in the field of building systems design.

Strategic academic planning update—review proposals and videos, provide input, and register for a forum

Strategic academic planning update—review proposals and videos, provide input, and register for a forum

Enrollment opens for 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.

Dancing into a community

The Pagkakaisa Dance Troupe, which promotes Pilipino cultural history and performs traditional folk dances from the Philippines, helps students build both camaraderie and stronger ties to their heritage.

Enhancing staff engagement

Ensuring we can enhance our employee engagement is a priority for the campus leadership team.

Award-winning biologist and writer Sean B. Carroll to speak at UC Santa Cruz

Carroll will give the 2018 Sinsheimer Lecture on Thursday, May 10, followed by a free screening of the film 'The Serengeti Rules' on May 11 at the Rio Theater.

Innovative ‘Studies in Medicine’ course will be offered online to all UC students

Developed by UC Santa Cruz biology professor Grant Hartzog and local physician Dr. Greg Gates, the popular course examines the field of medicine through a historical and philosophical lens.

Appraisal call for all staff and training dates announced for managers and supervisors

This communication provides time-sensitive updates on the UC Santa Cruz 2017-18 performance appraisal call for all staff.

Film professor Jennifer Taylor wins fellowship for summer residency at MacDowell Colony

Assistant professor of film and digital media Jennifer Maytorena Taylor has received a fellowship for a summer residency at one of the nation’s leading contemporary arts organizations.

Workplace bullying/abusive conduct

The UC Santa Cruz community is entitled to work in an atmosphere free from bullying and abusive conduct.

Leaving their mark, inspiring others

This year's Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni honorees are making their mark on the world. During Alumni Weekend, they will be back on campus to inspire a new generation of scholars at a career panel.

Making airwaves

Celebrating 50 years of broadcasting, KZSC continues to offer homegrown programming to the greater Monterey Bay region. The station will have a number of Alumni Weekend events to celebrate the milestone.

Merger of facilities-related departments formalized

Over the past year, UC Santa Cruz re-organized and combined a number of departments into a new organization named Physical Planning, Development and Operations (PPDO).

Location change for meeting on Student Housing West

Both meetings on Student Housing West will be held in Santa Cruz on May 2 and May 3.

Strategic Academic Planning: Themed Academic Working Group reports

Strategic Academic Planning: Themed Academic Working Group reports

Prescribed burns through April, early May

Cal Fire has advised that prescribed pile burns will continue on Saturday and through the next two weeks in the areas of Wilder State Park and north campus.

UC Santa Cruz honors alumni Thomas Webb and Susanne Hering

The Physical and Biological Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate alums.

Bill McKibben, Daniel Ellsberg headline Right Livelihood Laureates' Conference at UC Santa Cruz

Climate change activist Bill McKibben and whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg are two of the crusading global leaders gathering May 15-17 at UC Santa Cruz for the Right Livelihood Conference, a three-day series of public events focused on advancing social and environmental justice.

In Memoriam: Helen Mayer Harrison 
(1927-2018)

Helen Mayer Harrison, artist, educator, activist, and mentor to generations of artists and activists passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Cruz, CA on March 24, 2018.

April 20 DUI checkpoint and law enforcement efforts

Members of the UC Santa Cruz community and campus neighbors, please be advised there is the potential for traffic disruptions and hazards during the afternoon of Friday, April 20 because of the unsanctioned gathering known as “4–20”.

Nominate a UCSC affiliate for the Service Recognition Ceremony

See if you qualify to be honored at the Student Volunteer Center's Service Recognition Ceremony.

DANM 2018 MFA student exhibition culminates two years of intensive study and creative work

Nine graduate students from the Digital Arts and New Media M.F.A. program (DANM) will conclude two years of artistic study at UC Santa Cruz with "Interstices"--an exhibition of their work running April 27-29, at the UCSC Digital Arts Research Center.

South County housing crisis to be discussed May 2

University researchers and community leaders will host a public forum about the affordable housing crisis on Wednesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Watsonville Civic Center.

Spring Plant Sale Takes Place April 28-29

The UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden's Spring Plant Sale takes place Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, in the Barn Theater parking lot at the base of the UC Santa Cruz campus, near the intersection of Bay and High Streets.

Teaching on the edge

Four of UC Santa Cruz’s most innovative educators will offer insights and advice about fostering lively, dynamic, and relevant classrooms during a special edition of the Alumni Weekend Teach-Ins.

Lick Observatory expands evening programs for the public this summer

Tickets for the popular concert and lecture series and new evening tours on Mount Hamilton go on sale at noon on Wednesday, April 18.

J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves appointed director of CITRIS at UC Santa Cruz

Computer engineer J.J. Garcia-Luna-Aceves has been appointed to serve as the UC Santa Cruz director for CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society) and the Banatao Institute.

Building a feminist psychology of resistance

On a fateful trip to Nicaragua in 2005, Shelly Grabe, now an associate professor of psychology, met women who were organizing to fight domestic violence, and she saw what real and lasting social change looked like.

Hip-Hop Hesteria heading to Music Center Recital Hall on April 20

The UC Santa Cruz Music Department will present an evening of new hip-hop with live experimental jazz featuring music professor Karlton Hester and his band, Hesterian Musicism, on Friday, April 20, at the Music Center Recital Hall. The concert will include performances by winners of the 2018 Hip-Hop Hesteria Contest.

Coastal stream restoration projects concentrated where residents are 'whiter, wealthier, and more educated,' researchers find

Stream restoration efforts along the coast of Central California are unevenly distributed, with activity more likely to occur in areas that are more highly populated and dominated by residents who are "whiter, wealthier, and more educated," according to an analysis by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Input sought on the future child care program at UC Santa Cruz

Please join us for an open dialogue session regarding the future child care program at UC Santa Cruz.

Environmental review preparations underway for Kresge College renewal

In support of the proposed Kresge College renewal, UC Santa Cruz will host a public information session and begin drafting an environmental impact report.

Unmanned aircraft system (drone) policy

The UC Office of the President (UCOP) recently finalized the University of California Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Policy and an accompanying guidance document.

Engineering undergraduate wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Aviv Elor, a junior studying robotics engineering in the Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2017 Goldwater Scholar.

Sesnon Gallery exhibition to celebrate family’s influence on the arts in Santa Cruz County

In 1968, a gift from Barbara Sesnon Cartan established the Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery at UC Santa Cruz, in memory of her mother. Beginning April 12, the gallery will present a special exhibition celebrating the life of Mary Porter Sesnon (1868-1930) and her influence on the arts in Santa Cruz County.

Jenny Reardon among scholars speaking out on genomics and race

Sociology Professor Jenny Reardon joined 66 other scholars in signing an open letter about genetics and race, responding to a recent opinion piece in the New York Times written by David Reich, a professor of genetics at Harvard.

2018 Osterbrock Lecture will focus on the role of science in public policy

Rush Holt, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, will speak at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 19 .

Campus hires new environmental health and safety director

Lisa Wisser has more than 25 years of progressive experience leading environmental health and safety programs, with the past 10 years in a university setting.

UC’s secret energy source: retirees

For University of California staff and faculty, retirement does not mean retreat

UC Santa Cruz honors alumni: bestselling author Hector Tobar and historian Virginia Espino

Award-winning journalist and author Héctor Tobar and filmmaker Virginia Espino are the 2018 recipients of the Social Sciences Division's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Campus environment led alumna to pursue architecture

Urban designer and planner Barbara Maloney (Stevenson, ’71, psychology) said working in higher education is “endlessly interesting,” involving not only issues like sustainability and town-gown relations but also transportation and new ways of learning.

Community Studies class showcases public health leaders in 'Year of Alumni'

Eight alumni are returning to campus this spring as guest lecturers in a special-edition public health class offered by Community Studies.

In Memoriam: Randy Turner

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the death of our colleague and friend, Randy Turner.

Campus hires new director of emergency management

Student Housing West environmental study now available for review and comment

By Sarah Latham, Vice Chancellor, Business and Administrative Services — Student Housing West—our effort to further increase on-campus housing for our existing students—is entering the next stage of project review.

Get informed for Tsunami Preparedness Week

Making difficult choices to provide campus housing

Today, the state finds itself in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis. In our own community, there is a lack of housing, and what is available is prohibitively expensive and in some instances simply unsafe. As campus leaders, we have developed bold plans to try to help our students—plans that will also aid the greater community.

UC Santa Cruz graduate programs rank among best in nation in U.S. News survey

The U.S. News and World Report's 2019 Best Graduate Schools guide evaluates graduate schools in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, social work, criminology, public affairs, and the sciences.

Understanding shari’a

Mark Fathi Massoud, associate professor of politics and legal studies at UC Santa Cruz, will delve into the realities, subtleties, and richness of Islamic law and ethics at this year's Noel Q. King Memorial Lecture during Alumni Weekend.

What does a forest hear? Canadian artists bring epic sound art project to Arboretum

"FOREST (for a thousand years...)", a 28-minute sound installation by renowned Canadian artists Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, will open April 7, outdoors in the redwood grove of UC Santa Cruz's Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

Soil fungi may help determine the resilience of forests to environmental change, according to UC Santa Cruz study

A major new study by Kai Zhu reveals that soil fungi could play a significant role in the ability of forests to adapt to environmental change.

Strategic academic planning update

The campus has seen great results with its prioritization survey, with 616 individuals responding: 273 faculty, 211 staff, 80 undergraduates and 52 graduate students.

Textbook on number theory acclaimed for its novel approach

Mathematics professor Martin Weissman's new book has received an honorable mention in the 2018 PROSE Awards and raves from fellow mathematicians.

Act of love

Chancellor George Blumenthal presented accomplished actress Adilah Barnes with the the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for her many artistic contributions to UC Santa Cruz. Barnes was back on campus performing in a revival of "A Raisin In The Sun."

Influential historian Hayden White dies at 89

Hayden V. White, professor emeritus in the History of Consciousness Department at UC Santa Cruz, died at his Santa Cruz home on March 5, 2018, at age 89. He was a 40-year resident of Santa Cruz who traveled the world.

Come home, Banana Slugs

Returning Banana Slugs are in for three days of fun, relaxation, nostalgia, thought-provoking discussions, sunsets, wine tasting, al fresco picnicking, and a pulse-raising 'fun run' through the redwoods at Alumni Weekend 2018.

Alumna and Renowned Actress Adilah Barnes Returns to Campus for A Raisin In The Sun

Being very successful for over 50 years in the entertainment industry is no small feat. But actress Adilah Barnes takes it all in her stride.

Silicon Valley Campus raising profile

By Scott Brandt, Vice Chancellor, Office of Research — The role of UC Santa Cruz in Silicon Valley—an extension of our mission of education, research, and service—is focused on four key areas.

'And Then They Came for Us' brings history into the present

The Humanities Institute and Cowell College will present a special screening of "And Then They Came for Us," winner of the Accolade Global Film 2017 Humanitarian Award, on March 14 at the Del Mar Theater in downtown Santa Cruz.

Grant to transform upper floor of Science and Engineering Library

A $5 million grant will kick-start the Science and Engineering Library’s transformation and name floor to honor legendary astrophysicist Sandra Faber

Excitement, growth surround track and field program

On the path to building a competitive West Coast program, men and women's track and field will be at the Hornet Invitational at Sacramento State on March 16-17.

SAP update—landscape analysis available, register for workshop

Register by March 15 to attend the all-campus Future State Design Workshop on Tuesday, March 20 in 108 DARC.

Author calls on faculty to reimagine higher education

Cathy N. Davidson delivered a talk based on her latest book, which argues that our universities are based on an outdated and unequitable model, and pushes for a student-centered approach to education.

Student Housing West—What is happening now?

By Sue Matthews, Associate Vice Chancellor, Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services — The campus is invited to attend open forums to learn more about Student Housing West.

Campus receives Mellon Foundation grant to help create new forms of digital publication

UC Santa Cruz is the lead institution on a $100,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to help build a sustainable system for the digital publication and discovery of historical records.

Giving Day 2018 shatters records

Giving Day 2018, a 24-hour online festival of giving, set a new high bar last week, yielding more than $600,00 with more than 6,300 gifts for 160 projects, according to preliminary tallies.

Symposium explores social mobility, student success

In an effort to share the best means of supporting student success, UC Santa Cruz and CollegeNET hosted a symposium for educators across northern California.

From Student Artist to Hollywood Producer, Alumnus Brian Kavanaugh-Jones Has Always Been Passionate About the Arts

From his passion for the arts and accompanying his father on travels around the globe, to his keen enthusiasm for collaboration and bringing outstanding creative projects to fruition, it’s no wonder that Brian was destined to become such a successful Hollywood film producer.

Revisions to the UC Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace

The University of California Office of the President has issued a technical update to the UC Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace.

Gun control advocate Gabby Giffords joins fundraiser for Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

Former Arizona Congresswoman and gun control advocate Gabby Giffords attended a fundraising event to support the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship.

UC expands free online course offerings for California high school students

The University of California announced a major expansion of UC Scout, its online learning program to provide California high school students with free access to the courses they need to be eligible and competitive for admission into college.

Ecologist Erika Zavaleta elected Fellow of the Ecological Society of America

Zavaleta was honored in recognition of her contributions to the science of ecology.

Robin Hunicke to host Game Developers Choice Awards

Associate arts professor Robin Hunicke is set to host this year’s Game Developers Choice Awards, which will take place on March 21 during the 2018 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

Community Studies founder William H. Friedland dies at 94

William H. “Bill” Friedland, professor emeritus of community studies and sociology at UC Santa Cruz, whose life and career encompassed the major social movements of the 20th century, from labor struggles during and after World War II, to farm worker and youth movements of the 1960s, to the agriculture-food awareness of today, died at his Santa Cruz home Feb. 20 at age 94.

Online, in-person opportunities to provide insight on Long-Range Development Plan

Members of the campus and local community have online and in-person opportunities to provide input and feedback as UC Santa Cruz works on a new Long-Range Development Plan that will guide the campus from 2020–2040.

Update on survey response for strategic academic planning

USDA funds efforts to bring underrepresented students into agriculture

A unique collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting underrepresented students who are interested in agriculture-related fields.

At the nexus of food, energy, and water: Elliot Campbell bridges the research gap

Elliott Campbell is an environmental engineer who is drawn to research at the nexus of food, water, and energy.

Another 'gem' in the string of Maitra lectures

The 16th Annual Sidhartha Maitra Memorial Lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Colleges Nine/Ten Multi-purpose Room. Admission is free, with registration. The university will host a post-lecture reception to provide an opportunity for the audience to engage with Rao.

Alumna Adilah Barnes joins cast of 'A Raisin in the Sun' at UC Santa Cruz

The Theater Arts Department and the African American Theatre Arts Troupe at UC Santa Cruz will present Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play, A Raisin in the Sun, on campus, March 2-11, at the Theater Arts Second Stage.

Strategic academic planning prioritization survey

Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Marlene Tromp and I invite all faculty, staff and students to participate in a brief prioritization survey designed to help inform the creation of our Strategic Academic Plan.

UC Santa Cruz tech incubator offers convenient access to Silicon Valley

A new program from the University of California, Santa Cruz, offers campus and other UC entrepreneurs the opportunity to launch their startup companies from its Silicon Valley Campus.

Alley-oops for the OLLI Hoops

For this basketball team made up of women in their 60s and 70s, getting exercise, enjoying camaraderie, and learning a new skill has been a slam dunk.

24-hour online Giving Day returns to UC Santa Cruz

Scheduled for February 28, Giving Day 2018 is a playful competition. Generous donors will vie to help their favorite projects win challenges before the clock ticks down to midnight.

UC Santa Cruz named one of best colleges to study 'Film, Video & Photographic Arts'

UC Santa Cruz has been ranked No. 6 in the country by College Factual for the best colleges and universities in the U.S. to study for a Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree.

The Cowell College Love Bank

When Rich Vicenti and Alesa Lightbourne were students at Cowell College in the 1970s, he courted her, but she was not available. They took separate paths after graduation. Nearly four decades later, finding themselves both single they finally began the romance that was not possible in their youth.

UC housing funds to support students

With $3 million from UC Office of the President, UC Santa Cruz is taking a multi-pronged approach to help students as the region and state grapples with an unprecedented housing shortage.

Campus hires third investigator for Title IX Office

I am pleased to announce that UC Santa Cruz has hired Rosa Garcia to serve as an investigator in our Title IX Office. The permanent funding for this third investigator position and a new deputy director position will grow our office to a staff of six.

Community Studies students share social justice work

All students in Community Studies engage in a six-month field study, joining a social justice organization to apply the critical theories they have previously learned during their interactions with more traditional elements of the college experience.

Women leaders inspire undergrad during UCDC internship in Nancy Pelosi's office

For Courtney Zuniga, the sight of powerful women like Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi made a lasting impression during her Fall Quarter UCDC internship in Washington, D.C.

Conversations with Chancellor George Blumenthal and CP/EVC Marlene Tromp

Ólöf Einarsdottir, Chair, Academic Senate — The Feb. 21 Academic Senate meeting will focus on long range development planning and strategic academic planning.

Two UCSC professors elected to National Academy of Engineering

Biomolecular engineer David Haussler and computer scientist Martín Abadi have been recognized for their pioneering achievements.

Surfing into the history books

If the right conditions arrive this winter, alumna Sarah Gerhardt could be among the first women to compete in the Mavericks big-wave surf contest.

MLK Convocation: For racial equality, we must hear women

Kimberlé Crenshaw, a law professor known for the development of intersectional theory, praised the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. but noted that the civil rights movement and the Obama era left out the perspectives and voices of women.

Arts professor to premiere film at 2018 Berlin International Film Festival

UC Santa Cruz film and digital media professor Irene Lusztig will premiere her new film, 'Yours in Sisterhood,' at the 2018 Berlinale, running February 15-25 in Berlin, Germany.

Monetary economist Carl Walsh to deliver 52nd annual UC Santa Cruz Faculty Research Lecture on February 22

Carl Walsh, distinguished professor of economics at UC Santa Cruz, will deliver the 52nd annual Faculty Research Lecture on Thursday, February 22.

Grants available to support a healthy campus

Chancellor George Blumenthal — It’s my pleasure to let the campus community know about a wonderful opportunity to expand our wellness offerings.

Strategic academic planning update

Deep thanks for your continued engagement with our strategic academic planning (SAP) process. Broad participation is vital as we chart our academic course forward.

'Spoken/Unspoken: Forms of Resistance' to open Feb. 8 at Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery

The Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery will present Spoken/Unspoken: Forms of Resistance, a new public exhibition running February 8 through March 17 at UC Santa Cruz.

Alumnus Michael Shipley's Creative Brilliance Continues to Shine

Santa Cruz native and UC Santa Cruz alumnus, Michael Shipley, found Santa Cruz to be an idyllic place to grow up during the 1970s and ‘80s. It was the place where he discovered his creative passion, eventually leading him to become not only a very talented photographer and musician, but also an award-winning television writer and producer for highly successful television shows, including Family Guy and American Dad!.

New feature highlights campus events

In an effort to showcase exciting campus events, UC Santa Cruz has launched "The LineUp," a weekly calendar feature in the GoodTimes.

As tax time approaches, UCSC students volunteer to help low-income filers

As April 15 looms, a team of UC Santa Cruz undergraduate volunteers is getting ready to provide free tax-preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income residents of Santa Cruz County.

CruzHacks keeps growing

In its fifth year, CruzHacks drew hundreds of collegiate coders from across the country.

Men's tennis eyes return to championships

Along with a core group of seasoned returners, new talent will help solidify the Banana Slugs as they try to regain their footing in the national picture.

McHenry Library to celebrate new visualization spaces that enhance digital scholarship

An opening celebration to formally launch the VizWall, a large scale visualization installation, and the VizLab, a Virtual Reality and 360 Lab, will take place on Feb. 7 at the Digital Scholarship Commons on the ground floor of McHenry Library.

Field trip of a lifetime

When he transferred to UC Santa Cruz, Ray Gutierrez didn’t foresee he’d soon be in India making a documentary about youths with disabilities at a crossroads between globalization and tradition.

Karen Yamashita's memoir explores Japanese-American internment

Award-winning author and UC Santa Cruz literature professor Karen Tei Yamashita will read from her new memoir on Thursday, February 1, as part of the 2018 winter installment of the Living Writers Series.

Register closes today for open forum events on strategic academic planning

Campus community members need to register by 4 p.m. today to attend one of the open forum events on strategic academic planning schedule for Jan. 24-25.

Simplifying invention disclosure

Jeff Jackson, Director of Intellectual Property Management — In an effort to boost invention disclosure, the Office of Industry Alliances and Technology Commercialization (IATC) redesigned and digitized the UC Santa Cruz Invention Disclosure Form.

Elliott Campbell appointed to chair in water resources and food system sustainability

Elliott Campbell, associate professor of environmental studies, was honored as the inaugural holder of the Stephen R. Gliessman Presidential Chair in Water Resources and Food System Sustainability.

Men's volleyball aiming for championships

Aided in May by the passage of Measure 68, the referendum that will go to support athletics, the Slugs this season are scheduled to play more than 30 matches—a noticeable uptick from the 19 games last season.

Pell Grant, campus resources key in transforming student lives

Roughly 40 percent of UC Santa Cruz students receive Pell Grants, which help to give every student an opportunity for a higher education, regardless of their economic background.

Judge relies heavily on Haney's testimony in case banning solitary confinement

In a landmark court ruling that prohibits solitary confinement in Canada, a Canadian judge relied heavily on expert testimony by Psychology Professor Craig Haney.

New book, The Postgenomic Condition: Ethics, Justice, and Knowledge After the Genome, assesses progress since 2000

Sociologist Jenny Reardon evaluates the promise and pitfalls of genomics in her new book The Postgenomic Condition: Ethics, Justice, and Knowledge After the Genome (University of Chicago Press, 2017).

In Memoriam: Stuart 'Page' Stegner (1937-2017)

Stuart "Page" Stegner, a member of the pioneer faculty at UC Santa Cruz who taught for over three decades and ran the Creative Writing program, passed away on December 14, 2017 in Reno, Nevada

New name, enduring vision

Irena Polić, Managing Director, and Nathaniel Deutsch, Director, The Humanities Institute — Since its founding, The Humanities Institute has been committed to cultivating humanities research by supporting hundreds of individual faculty, graduate, and undergraduate fellows, as well as collaborations across campus and with other universities around the world.

Strategic academic planning update

Through extensive engagement with the campus community, we have worked to identify the major academic themes that make UC Santa Cruz extraordinary.

Questions That Matter public humanities series to explore 'Freedom and Race'

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz will present "Freedom & Race"--the fourth installment of its signature "Questions That Matter" series--on January 30, at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in downtown Santa Cruz. The evening will feature a conversation with humanities dean Tyler Stovall and history of art and visual culture professor Jennifer González.

Trump environmental watchdog group issues third report

The Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI), a grassroots watchdog group monitoring the Trump administration's performance on the environment, today (January 10, 2018) issued its third report.

The 'Year of Alumni'

Keith Brant, Vice Chancellor, University Relations — As a way to honor all their achievements and the 50th anniversary of the UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association, the campus is marking 2018 as the "Year of Alumni."

Campus appoints new associate vice provost for Academic Affairs

After a campuswide search, UC Santa Cruz has appointed Martin Berger to serve as associate vice provost for Academic Affairs.

David Dunn awarded Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship

UC Santa Cruz assistant professor of music David Dunn has been selected for a Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship for 2019. He is one of four local artists who will receive $20,000 grants from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County in 2018-19.

NSF I-Corps pushes discoveries to market

Professor Sue Carter testified before congressional leaders on NSF Innovation Corps, which assists scientists and engineers in discovering commercial applications for their research.

New vendor selected for curriculum management

The Curriculum Management Project, a campuswide initiative to improve the systems used to manage curriculum at UC Santa Cruz, is pleased to announce SmartCatalog has been selected as the vendor for phase one of the project.

Summer session offers unique academic opportunities

When UC Santa Cruz students begin enrolling for spring courses, they will be able to factor in all the additional courses that will also be offered through summer session.

In Memoriam: Sam Taylor

Sam Taylor, a Stevenson College student, died on Dec. 22, 2017.