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2020 Emergency Alerts

September 04, 2020
Additional support for employees impacted by wildfire - launch Wildfire Relief Fund grant applications
In our continued efforts to support our employees who have been impacted by the wildfire, we have launched a new grant program to assist affected faculty and staff with unexpected financial expenses.
September 03, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
Effective immediately, the following buildings have been cleared by Chancellor Larive to reopen. These locations may only resume operations that were in effect on Aug. 20, 2020, prior to the campus emergency declaration, and approved through the COVID-19 resumption process.
September 03, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
Effective immediately, the following buildings have been cleared by Chancellor Larive to reopen. These locations may only resume operations that were in effect on Aug. 20, 2020, prior to the campus emergency declaration, and approved through the COVID-19 resumption process.
September 02, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
Effective immediately, the following buildings have been cleared to reopen. These locations may only resume operations that were in effect on Aug. 20, 2020, prior to the campus emergency declaration, and approved through the COVID-19 resumption process.
August 31, 2020
Phased campus reopening underway, emergency order lifted
The UC Santa Cruz emergency order is lifted and the campus is in the midst of a phased effort to recover from the CZU Wildfire.
August 31, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
Though the wildfire continues to burn in our county, it is now at 39% containment due to the heroic efforts of firefighters from across our region and state. Based on the latest status, I am lifting my Emergency Declaration that was issued on August 20th.
August 28, 2020
New vacation payout program for those impacted by the wildfires
In addition to the support services already outlined in prior communications, we are launching a new program. The UC Santa Cruz Employee Emergency Accrued Vacation Payout Program is a temporary program for eligible UCSC employees who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the summer 2020 wildfires in California.
August 27, 2020
Resumption of Operations at Coastal Science Campus, Westside Research Park; emergency declaration modified
Based on the latest conditions, I am modifying further the campus emergency declaration. Effective immediately, the Coastal Science Campus and Westside Research Park can resume operations that were in effect on Aug. 20, 2020, prior to campus declaration.
August 26, 2020
Re-opening employee housing, rest of campus remains closed
Chancellor Cynthia Larive has amended the Aug. 20 emergency declaration so that employees who live at Laureate Court, Hagar Court, Ranch View Terrace, Hagar Meadow, and Cardiff Terrace can return to their homes tonight. The rest of the residential campus remains closed, as do the Coastal Science Campus and Westside Research Park.
August 25, 2020
SHR Employee Hotline and Resources
As our community continues to grapple with the ongoing wildfire threat to our campus, homes, and physical safety, we are providing additional resources to staff for the weeks ahead. Through displacement and emergency, it is critical for our staff community to have resources by phone or computer at their fingertips.
August 25, 2020
CZU Lightning Complex fire: How to give help, how to get help
This past week has seen many incredible displays of kindness, perseverance and resilience. We both spent time on campus with our teams as they managed the emergency evacuation.
August 23, 2020
Servicios de apoyo para empleados impactados por los incendios forestales y evacuaciones
Todo miembro de la facultad y del personal que lea esto ha sido impactado de distintas maneras por los incendios forestales actualmente activos en nuestra región. Algunos de Uds. han sido evacuados, otros de Uds. están albergando a individuos que han sido desplazados, y lamentablemente otros han perdido sus hogares en los incendios.
August 23, 2020
Support services for employees impacted by the wildfires and evacuations
Every faculty and staff member reading this has been impacted in different ways by the wildfires that are active in our region. Some of you have evacuated, some of you are hosting individuals who have been displaced, and sadly some of you have lost your homes in the fires.
August 23, 2020
Santa Cruz County wildfires 8% contained, potential bad weather approaching the region
The wildfire impacting Santa Cruz County is now 8% contained thanks to the valiant efforts of first responders from CAL FIRE and across the country. The fire remains approximately one mile north of campus and has not traveled further south at this point.
August 22, 2020
Weekend UCSC Fire Update
Through the tireless work of CAL FIRE and first responders, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that threatens our campus is now 5% contained. CAL FIRE created fire breaks from Highway 1 to Highway 9 to help decrease the threat of fire to additional areas, including UC Santa Cruz and the city of Santa Cruz.
August 21, 2020
Update on campus response to wildfire
The wildfires continue to impact Santa Cruz County. There are approximately 57,000 acres involved, but we are now at 2% containment thanks to the amazing efforts of fire crews.
August 21, 2020
UCSC Fire Update
As of this morning, the fire is about a mile north of upper campus. There is no fire activity on campus or in the City of Santa Cruz, and we hope that all our activities have been taken in an abundance of caution.
August 21, 2020
You are not alone - we are with you
Whether you have been evacuated from your residence on campus, are living near campus, or are watching or hearing about the fires in the Santa Cruz area from some distance away, I know that many of you are scared right now. You have concerns and might not be sure where to turn or what to do next. You are not alone.
August 20, 2020
Support for employee needs emerging from the current wildfires
As the members of our Slug community continue to deal with the wildfires and evacuations, we want to outline some of the resources available to you.
August 20, 2020
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Evacuation order--Emergency Declaration
Based on the chancellor’s emergency declaration, ALL employees and students living in campus housing must evacuate. Everyone must immediately leave the UC Santa Cruz residential campus and be prepared to not return for at least two weeks. UC Santa Cruz Police Officers will be going door to door to evacuate those remaining on campus.
August 20, 2020
UC Santa Cruz Declaration of Emergency
UC Santa Cruz is impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California. Residents of the mountain communities surrounding UC Santa Cruz have been forced to evacuate their homes in the face of the fast-moving Lightning Complex Fire ignited a few days ago by a dry lightning storm.
August 20, 2020
Evacuation Warning
This is not an evacuation order, but rather a warning to be prepared to evacuate.
August 20, 2020
Initiating the next steps in our fire response - beginning next stages of voluntary evacuations
As the conditions around Santa Cruz county worsen and the fires impacting our region continue to grow, we are now initiating several critical steps in our fire response.
August 20, 2020
Mandatory research cessation and information about securing research materials
I am now directing that all non-essential research operations at all Santa Cruz locations cease immediately. Please shut down all equipment as you would normally do for winter curtailment, secure chemicals in fire-safe storage, and secure lab notebooks and other irreplaceable items if possible.
August 20, 2020
Support during difficult times
We understand the stress that many of you may be experiencing; the addition of the fires on top of an already difficult year has been a challenge. Please know that we want to support you as you navigate these difficult times.
August 20, 2020
The Impact of Fires on our Community
Today my heart is with all the members of our community for the challenges we face together. At this moment I am especially concerned for those impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California.
August 20, 2020
Impact of Fires on Instruction
While instruction in summer classes continues, we understand the fear and disturbance that sudden evacuations can cause. We encourage everyone to be flexible as you consider how to continue instruction in these challenging times
August 20, 2020
Critical update on wildfires in Santa Cruz—preparation for potential evacuation
We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.
August 20, 2020
Temporary cessation of non-essential on-campus research activities recommended due to poor air quality and possible fire threat
Based on the poor air quality and the potential of a campus evacuation, we recommend that all non-essential on-campus research activities cease until the air quality improves and there is more clarity on the fire threat to the campus.
August 20, 2020
Critical update on wildfires in Santa Cruz—preparation for potential evacuation
We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.
August 19, 2020
Power outage possible tonight at UCSC locations
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has informed UC Santa Cruz leaders that our main residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, and Westside Research Park may experience a power outage for an hour or two around 8 p.m. tonight as part of the series of rotating outages being utilized statewide to ease demand on the power grid caused by the heat wave gripping California.
August 19, 2020
Campus Air Quality
Smoke from multiple northern California fires, including the Lightning Complex Fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is impacting our local air quality.
August 19, 2020
Update on fires impacting our region
UC Santa Cruz continues to closely track the fires in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and neighboring counties. This event has resulted in multiple evacuations and air quality concerns.
August 19, 2020
Additional support for employees impacted by wildfire evacuations
As fire threats continue to impact our region and Santa Cruz county, we know that many employees have been forced to evacuate from your homes. This adds stress to an already challenging time for you and your families.