Staff News

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

$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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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...

In Memoriam: Alex Beletsis

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Workplace bullying/abusive conduct

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In Memoriam: Sam Taylor

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