April 2019 News Archive

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College-bound students celebrate at the Civic Auditorium

More than 200 students from regional high schools attended a first-ever UC-sponsored celebration for college-bound students at the Santa Cruz Civic

Campus status updates — possible demonstrations

UC Santa Cruz is anticipating potential demonstration activities on Wednesday, May 1. The campus community is encourage to stay informed.

Annual Transportation Survey

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is launching its annual survey to collect data on the travel patterns of our students, faculty, and staff.

Alumni Weekend 2019: Slugs in the mist

More than a thousand people, including 560 alumni, converged on the hilly forested campus for Alumni Weekend 2019, complete with thought-provoking lectures, snacks, free Slug Taxis, a fond

U.S. coral reefs provide flood protection worth $1.8 billion annually

New report finds coral reef barriers provide flood protection for more than 18,000 people and $1.8 billion worth of coastal buildings, infrastructure, and economic activity

Campus community lobbies state leaders for increased funding

The all-day lobbying trip to Sacramento included meetings with California Senator Bill Monning, Assemblymember Mark Stone and senior advisors to Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins. In all,

Quentin Williams to serve as acting graduate studies dean

I am delighted to announce that Quentin Williams, associate vice chancellor for research, has agreed to serve as UC Santa Cruz's acting vice provost and dean of graduate studies, effective June 1.

Special Spring Zipcar Promotion

Zipcar, a membership-based car rental program providing self-service access to vehicles on campus, 24/7, has a special Spring promotion right now for new members only.

Air Resources District funds air pollution research and teaching at UC Santa Cruz

Partnership between UCSC and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District supports a new course on air pollution and research on high-tech sensors to detect

Sandra Faber receives American Philosophical Society's Magellanic Premium Medal

Faber was honored for her transformative research on galaxy formation and

Regina Langhout honored for advocacy on behalf of those at risk of deportation

Regina Langhout, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is being recognized for her leadership in community psychology on behalf of people at risk

Explore the "superbloom" in Santa Cruz County

A new Field Guide to Plants of UC Santa Cruz makes exploring the landscapes of the campus—and the county—fun and

Engineering speaker series highlights diverse voices in tech

The speaker series is part of a larger effort to get a more diverse population interested in engineering as a field of study and technology as a career.

Measles information

We want to provide an update about measles.

Information about accommodations for Ramadan

Many members of our campus community will be observing Ramadan through fasting, prayer, community gatherings, and friendship between May 5th and June 4th. This message is intended to provide our campus community with information regarding accommodations as well as special events during Ramadan.

Cal Fire plans more pile burns near Twin Gates

Cal Fire has advised campus officials that state fire crews next week will again burn vegetation piles they have assembled near campus.

Night at the Museum in Silicon Valley to spotlight Anti-Semitism and the Internet

What is the relationship between anti-Semitism and the Internet? On May 9, The Humanities Institute and the Center for Jewish Studies will present 'UC Santa Cruz Night at

Advising students, transforming lives

Stacey Sketo-Rosener (Kresge ’88, literature), UC Santa Cruz’s assistant vice provost for undergraduate advising, is being recognized with UC Santa Cruz’s 2019 Outstanding Staff

Succulent savior

Climate change and poachers are wreaking havoc with a rare and enigmatic plant, but researcher Stephen McCabe is part of an ambitious effort to save it from extinction.

Biologist Olena Vaske wins major grant from American Association for Cancer Research

The 2019 AACR NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research will support Vaske's research on pediatric cancer

Can a drone weigh an elephant seal?

Undergrad’s innovative research may lead to new methods of weighing seals, expanding our understanding of the mammals and the

In Memoriam: Sociology Professor Ben Crow dies at 71

Sociology Professor Ben Crow died Tuesday, April 9, following a serious

News about Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Marlene Tromp

Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Marlene Tromp formally accepted an offer to become president of Boise State University. Her last day on campus will be June 30.

Arts professor Robin Hunicke appears on 'Project Runway' episode focused on female video game characters

UC Santa Cruz arts professor Robin Hunicke made a special appearance on 'Project Runway' last week. She served as a guest judge on the popular reality television show

Cool Campus Challenge enters final week

Get Ready for Bike Month in May!

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to celebrate Santa Cruz Bike Month starting on May 1, 2019.

Smith Society celebrates 20 years and unparalleled success

On its 20th anniversary, the Smith Society pays tribute to a remarkable intergenerational community that has provided social mobility and a sense of family, making a college degree

Campus message on Easter Sunday terrorism in Sri Lanka

UC Santa Cruz mourns the tragic loss of life in the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni

PBSci Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize contributions to society by graduate and undergraduate

UC Santa Cruz hosts summer program on machine learning in astronomy

The Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics brings together an international group of scientists and students for a six-week program of learning and

Who’s afraid of multifactor authentication?

Over the next six months, UCSC is transitioning to mandatory MFA for most campus online systems that require a Gold password.

Making art in trying times: DANM exhibition examines culture, society, and the digital world

Thirteen 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 "Receivership"—an exhibition of

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 Saturday, April 20 because of the unsanctioned gathering known as “4–20”. The greatest impact is expected from 3–6 p.m.

Cal Fire plans pile burns along Empire Grade

Cal Fire has advised campus officials that state fire crews will once again burn vegetation piles they have assembled near campus, possibly as soon as next week, weather conditions permitting.

From scholarship to achievement, five grads make their mark

The five recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni Award exemplify the diverse ways in which the former graduate students have translated their scholarship into an appreciable

Maternity Benefits Orientation May 1 in the Scotts Valley Center

The Benefits team at Staff HR has developed a Maternity Benefits Orientation, the first of which will be held May 1 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Scotts Valley Center Training Center, Room 1101.

A final opportunity to weigh in on SAP

We seek insight on prioritization from our entire campus community, and I invite you to participate. Please share your feedback on our campuswide survey by midnight May 10.

Entrepreneurs emerge as a force in Europe's refugee emergency

Camilla Hawthorne, assistant professor of sociology, says economic stagnation and a resurgence of racist nationalism are shaping conversations about what it means to be Italian in the 21st

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.

Astronomer Natalie Batalha elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The academy's class of 2019 also includes UCSC alumnus Joe Palca, as well as Michelle Obama and Jonathan

UC Santa Cruz philosophy alumnus Jeffrey Stewart wins 2019 Pulitzer Prize for biography

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Jeffrey Conrad Stewart (Cowell College ’71, philosophy) has been awarded the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for "The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke," his

UC Santa Cruz researchers win four CITRIS seed funding awards

UC Santa Cruz researchers are principal investigators of four collaborative teams chosen for funding by the the signature seed funding program of the Center for Information Technology Research

Help identifying person-of-interest in car burglaries

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the community's help in identifying a person-of-interest in connection with a rash of campus car burglaries.

Biologist Joshua Arribere wins prestigious Searle Scholars grant

Funding from the Searle Scholars Program will support Arribere's research on cellular quality control mechanisms that catch mistakes in gene

Finalists for University Extension dean to visit UC Santa Cruz

Our campus is recruiting for a dean of UCSC Silicon Valley Extension. In the next few weeks, three finalists for the position will visit UC Santa Cruz.

Alumni Weekend: A cornucopia of Slugs come home, seeking thrills and techno-inspiration

The Baskin School of Engineering will be in the spotlight throughout UC Santa Cruz's Alumni Weekend, with demonstrations of virtual reality, cutting-edge research, small seminar-style "teach-ins" and more.

Alumni Weekend: Let's dance

Get ready to dance away the night at a special Fiesta fundraiser at the Museum of Art and History during Alumni Weekend on Saturday, April 27, from 8

Admissions director forged path as first-gen college student

Blia Yang, the director of undergraduate admissions, may very well be the first Hmong admissions director in the state—or at least the UC

Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall, cafes now open

The temporary Cowell and Stevenson Commons closure has ended, and the Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall and Stevenson Coffee House are open once again for regular business hours.

Cal Fire plans additional pile burns along Empire Grade

Cal Fire has advised campus officials that state fire crews will resume burning vegetation piles they have assembled along Empire Grade, possibly as soon as Thursday, April 18.

'Hi-Phi Nation' philosophy podcast host to launch humanities residency at UC Santa Cruz

Barry Lam—an associate professor of philosophy at Vassar College and host of the philosophy podcast "Hi-Phi Nation" on Slate—is coming to UC Santa Cruz this week to begin

UC Santa Cruz joins Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education

The National Academies have joined with colleges and universities to found the collaborative, aiming to prevent sexual harassment across all disciplines and among all people in higher

Campus status updates — labor strike

Several labor unions are participating in a systemwide strike. UC Santa Cruz is providing real-time updates about the strike and its impacts today.

Alumni Weekend: Raising a glass to Chancellor Blumenthal

An Alumni Weekend tradition, the annual Beer and Wine Reception, will be a chance for well-wishers to raise a glass to retiring Chancellor George Blumenthal. The gathering will

Karen Bassi to serve as acting dean of Humanities

Karen Bassi, literature professor, has agreed to serve as acting dean of the Humanities Division while Dean Tyler Stovall is on sabbatical.

Deer fawning season alert

Please be aware that spring is the prime birthing season for a wide variety of campus wildlife, including deer.

Campus review of newly proposed research policies

The policies establish clear and uniform allocation of income derived from intellectual property related to institutional work at UC Santa Cruz and support the IATC mission to build a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture to accelerate the adoption of inventions, cultivate sustainable strategic partnerships, and enable our campus to be an innovation powerhouse delivering social and economic benefits to our local and global communities.

Campus services during Wednesday's strike

UC Santa Cruz and the other UC campuses will have several labor unions on strike this week. The labor action is expected to run all-day Wednesday, from midnight to 11:59 p.m.

Community Crime Bulletin: suspicious person near Humanities Building

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department received a report about a man who followed two female students near the Humanities Building around 2 a.m. this morning. No one was found when officers arrived, and no further incidents were reported.

Spring Forum April 15th, Call for SAB Nominations April 26th and Staff Appreciation Picnic April 30th

Mark your calendars for April 15, April 26 and April 30.

Iron volcanoes may have erupted on metal asteroids

NASA's upcoming mission to the asteroid Psyche could look for signs of past eruptions, and evidence of 'ferrovolcanism' may also turn up in iron

Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia wins mentor award

Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia has received a mentorship award from the Spencer Foundation.

Protecting and securing electronic devices, other valuable belongings

Following a rash of thefts on and off campus, we want to encourage our community members to remain vigilant in protecting their valuable personal and professional belongings.

New genus of marine organisms named in honor of ocean scientist Jon Zehr

A newly described genus of marine microorganisms has been named in honor of Professor of Ocean Sciences Jonathan

New book by Carolyn Burke examines four artists who profoundly shaped 20th-century art

"Foursome"--the latest book by longtime UCSC humanities research associate Carolyn Burke--chronicles the lives of four of the most extraordinary and influential painters and photographers of the early 20th

Chemist Jevgenij Raskatov honored for peptide research

The American Peptide Society and the Boulder Peptide Society have both recognized Raskatov for his scientific achievements as an early-career

Final update on construction-related asbestos contamination incident at Cowell and Stevenson Student Commons

As a final community update on this incident, please be advised that asbestos abatement from the construction-related contamination at Cowell and Stevenson colleges has been completed.

Coral study traces excess nitrogen to Maui wastewater treatment facility

Nutrient pollution has been blamed for algal blooms and degradation of coral reefs along Maui's west

On-campus burglaries

Campus residents are urged to be vigilant after a spate of residential burglaries on campus over the past two weeks and to let campus police know immediately if they see anything suspicious or suspect their room or apartment may have been burglarized.

High-impact science and cutting-edge teaching

Those who attend UC Santa Cruz’s Alumni Weekend April 26–28 can immerse themselves in cutting-edge science and get to the heart of innovative learning techniques during two Saturday

STEM Postdoc Symposium features a public poster session on April 24

Annual symposium highlights research from early career scientists at UC Santa

Information and resources about strike activities on April 10, 2019

Our campus received notice last Friday that there will be a labor strike from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10by AFSCME service (SX), patient care technical (EX), and skilled trades (K7) workers.

Carl Walsh appointed honorary adviser to Bank of Japan’s Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies

UCSC Distinguished Professor of Economics Carl Walsh has been appointed to serve as an honorary adviser to the Bank of Japan’s Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies.

Cool Campus Challenge starts today

Today, the University of California is launching a friendly systemwide competition that challenges us all do more to reduce our carbon footprint.

Regents approve Student Housing West, Kresge renewal

The UC Board of Regents have approved two major projects that are aimed at improving the student experience at UC Santa Cruz by offering more campus housing options

Regents approve Student Housing West, Kresge renewal

The University of California Board of Regents has actually signed off on two large-scale capital projects for campus: Student Housing West and our plan to revitalize Kresge College.