Undergraduate News

Research partnership explores bonds between mothers and nonspeaking autistic children

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the University of Virginia have been collaborating to better understand behaviors and beliefs that may strengthen relationships between mothers and children with nonspeaking autism.

Focus on access and equity for students guides changes physical education

The UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs and activities that promote leadership, lifelong wellness, and experiential learning.

How to turn $1 into four healthy meals

Second Harvest Food Bank can feed a family of four with only $1 because of their extensive relationships with farmers, retailers, food bank networks, and dedicated volunteers.

UC Santa Cruz continues to meet, exceed community commitments

The campus continues to make advancements in the areas of housing, transportation, and water conservation.

UC Santa Cruz Launches Financial Coaching for Students

UCSC arts professor documents spread of COVID-19 inside prisons, jails, and detention centers

A new Interactive web project by film and digital media professor Sharon Daniel creates a cumulative public record and evolving history of the pandemic’s impact on those incarcerated

Surge in online grocery shopping brings a quantity-over-quality jobs shift

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated emerging labor market trends associated with e-commerce in the grocery industry, creating mixed implications for jobs, according to a new report led by UCSC professor Chris Benner.

Campus publishes sixth edition of “inquiry@UC Santa Cruz” research magazine

The stories, crafted by alumni of the world-renowned UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Master’s Program, cover projects across the five academic devisions.

Resiliency is the name of the game for UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation

The department has scored wins in many of the challenges of the pandemic by supporting students remotely, pivoting to online programming, and developing innovative ways to empower student-athletes and student support staff.

National Academies report on sustainability education features UC Santa Cruz expertise

UC Santa Cruz professor Anne Kapuscinski chaired the committee that developed the report, and campus initiatives were highlighted within as examples of innovative sustainability education.

UCSC offers new M.F.A. degree program in Environmental Art and Social Practice

The UC Santa Cruz Art Department is now accepting applications for a new M.F.A. degree program in Environmental Art and Social Practice (EASP), set to begin in fall quarter of 2021.

Psychology research shows ‘water cooler talk’ can have big benefits

In settings where people are working together on a task, making time for small talk allows for a newly-described behavior called "reciprocity in conversation," which is associated with higher levels of task enjoyment.

UC Santa Cruz celebrates its first Rhodes Scholar

Spring 2020 graduate Garima Desai was named among the top 32 scholars from across the U.S. who will have all of their expenses paid to attend graduate school at Oxford University through a Rhodes Scholarship.

Announcing 2020 Campus Elections

The Dean of Students Office is pleased to announce the 2021 Campus Elections process.

'Living in a Frayed Democracy': Ethics lecture to feature noted alumnus Ezra Klein

UC Santa Cruz will present "Living in a Frayed Democracy," a trans-Atlantic public dialogue, featuring noted UCSC alumnus and journalist Ezra Klein and London political economist William Davies, as part of the Humanities Division’s Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture Series on Dec. 5.

Statement on UC Regents session on faculty dismissal

Interim chief to focus on listening, building understanding

Lt. Mary Garcia, who will serve as interim police chief at UC Santa Cruz beginning Dec. 5, said she wants to strengthen the relationship between the campus community and the UCSC Police Department by increasing understanding, continuing to be open, and listening.

Two UC Santa Cruz programs win funding for public interest technology

The Human Rights Investigations Lab and Everett Program at UC Santa Cruz will receive new grant funding through the Public Interest Technology University Network.

Humanities Institute to host acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates in special post-election event

Coates will be in conversation with Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, to discuss his acclaimed novel "The Water Dancer"—as well as the state of the country after the election

Research breakthrough achieves fish-free aquaculture feed that raises key standards

A new aquaculture feed formula eliminates conventional fish meal and fish oil ingredients by combining ingredients derived from two species of marine microalgae.

The 2020 new Slug reality: Handling adversity and transitioning to a virtual learning experience

Remote learning has its challenges, but the newest class of Banana Slugs is making the most out of this uncharted experience.

Film professor Jennifer Taylor’s new documentary to screen online at DOC NYC film festival

America’s largest documentary film festival will be screening 'For the Love of Rutland'—the new documentary feature by UCSC associate professor of film and digital media Jennifer Maytorena Taylor—online throughout the U.S. this month.

Award-winning poet Morgan Parker to read at 11th annual Morton Marcus memorial event

Acclaimed poet, essayist, and novelist Morgan Parker will be the featured guest at the 11th annual Morton Marcus Memorial Poetry Reading, which takes place this year as a virtual event on November 12. 

Quantitative ecologist wins Tansley Medal for plant science contributions

Environmental studies assistant professor Kai Zhu was recently chosen from a global field as one of two recipients of the Tansley Medal for Excellence in Plant Science, presented by the journal New Phytologist.

Student housing environmental review affirmed by the courts

A UC Santa Cruz project that will significantly increase campus housing options for current graduate and undergraduate students has cleared a crucial hurdle in the courts.

Big Ideas contest offers up to $20,000 for big ideas in social innovation

Big Ideas contest, open to all UC students, seeks student-led, early-stage projects or ideas with a social impact focus.

MacArthur 'genius' grant winner reflects on early influences at UC Santa Cruz

Forrest Stuart has built his career pursuing burning questions about the societal underpinnings of poverty and criminalization across disciplines. Stuart said his research focus has been influenced both by his childhood and the formative experiences of his undergraduate education at University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned his bachelor’s in politics in 2004.

UCSC Library completes project to make 670 Cabrillo Music Festival recordings available to public

The project preserves and now makes available live Festival performances from 1964 to 1990, featuring works by such experimental artists as John Cage, Annea Lockwood, and Lou Harrison.

UC Santa Cruz iGEM team seeks a solution to plastic waste

Through campus shutdowns, wildfires, and a two-week quarantine, 13 UCSC students have been finding ways to research a solution to agricultural plastic pollution.

Feminist studies Ph.D. student receives American Association of University Women fellowship

The program aims to tackle barriers women face in education by recognizing recipients whose academic work and community projects empower women and girls.

UCSC alumna Traci Chee named finalist for 2020 National Book Award

'We Are Not Free,' a work of historical fiction by UC Santa Cruz alumna Traci Chee, has been named a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

HSI grant to support graduate students

The grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help the campus increase the readiness of Latinx, low-income and students of color from UC Santa Cruz and CSU Monterey Bay to apply and succeed in graduate programs.

Voter registration deadline is today

Today is the deadline to register for the first time or to update your registration if you have moved since last casting a ballot.

Doctoral candidate wins Switzer Fellowship for environmental justice research in El Salvador

James Alejandro Artiga-Purcell, a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Studies, was recently selected for the 2020 Switzer Environmental Fellowship as part of a cohort of 20 top scholar-activists from around the country.

The savior of the opera

With dampened prospects for in-person classes, rehearsals, and performances this pandemic year, UC Santa Cruz’s opera program is adapting with help from donor Scott Lord

‘Visualizing Abolition’ series kicks off with conversation featuring Angela Davis and Gina Dent

The UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences has joined forces with associate feminist studies professor Gina Dent to offer a year-long online series featuring artists, activists, scholars, and lawyers united by their commitment to the struggle for prison abolition.

Founding campus leader Hal Hyde dies at 97

Harold A. (Hal) Hyde, who, as the first vice chancellor for business and finance at the University of California, Santa Cruz, helped create a world-class campus on a sprawling cattle ranch, died peacefully of natural causes Oct. 12 at 97.

UC Santa Cruz study cited in arguments against gig economy proposition

The report, "On-demand and on-the-edge: Ride-hailing and Delivery Workers in San Francisco," underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy.

Challenging how we see the prison-industrial complex

An ambitious two-part exhibit, titled Barring Freedom and Visualizing Abolition, organized by the UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences, combines art and activism to address prison and policing issues.

Joint statement from chancellor and mayor on water access

The chancellor and mayor agree that a court ruling is the best route to settle the long-standing dispute the university and the city of Santa Cruz have regarding access to water service throughout the UC Santa Cruz campus. 

UC Santa Cruz Human Rights Lab investigates social unrest in Chile

Human Rights Investigations Labs at UCSC and UC Berkeley collaborated on open source research focused on the human rights crisis in Chile, which began with massive anti-government demonstrations a year ago that prompted a swift and sometimes brutal government crackdown on protestors.

Interim Conflict of Interest Related to Consensual Relationships (Policy EEP–0001)

The Office of Equity and Equal Protection has issued a new Interim Policy on Conflict of Interest Related to Consensual Relationships. The Interim Conflict of Interest Related to Consensual Relationships Policy (EEP-0001) applies to everyone in our UC Santa Cruz community including anyone who works, lives, visits, or otherwise engages in university activities.

Tech for Social Good student project funding now open for applications

Students can get up to $5,000 in funding for projects looking to solve societal challenges.

10-screen film installation and photo exhibition by professor Isaac Julien opens at McEvoy Arts

The McEvoy Foundation for the Arts in San Francisco will present the West Coast debut of 'Lessons of the Hour,' a moving image and photography exhibition about the life of Frederick Douglass by British filmmaker, installation artist, and UC Santa Cruz professor of the arts, Isaac Julien.

UCSC publishes online collection of 10,000 photos documenting over a century of Santa Cruz history

The University Library at UC Santa Cruz announced today the online publication of the Santa Cruz County Historic Photograph Collection, featuring original photographs and copy prints from 1866 to 1995.

Fall quarter kicks off with new students, programs

UC Santa Cruz students are excited to start their college journey, despite the challenges created by a global pandemic that has reshaped society. Faculty and staff are ready to provide students with the best experience possible and the support to help them succeed.

Convocation celebrates new students, academic year

Chancellor Cynthia Larive, interim Vice Chancellor Jennifer Baszile, SUA President Shivika Sivakumar, college provosts, resource center directors and the president of the UC Santa Cruz alumni council welcomed new Banana Slugs to their college journey in a video released today.

Focused on sustainability, UC Santa Cruz among Sierra's top 25 'Cool Schools'

The campus, No. 21 on Sierra's ranking, earned distinction for research, curriculum, and transportation.

Wildfire relief grants awarded to employees, students

Through generous gifts from alumni, donors, and the campus community, UC Santa Cruz has been able to provide more than 60 grants to the employees who were most severely impacted.

UC Santa Cruz alumna Maya Rudolph wins two Emmy Awards

Last night, UC Santa Cruz alumna Maya Rudolph picked up her second Emmy of the week for her impression of California senator and Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live

LALS doctoral candidate Candy Martínez awarded Native American Scholars Initiative Fellowship

Candy Martínez, a PhD. candidate in Latin America Latino Studies, has been named a 2020-2021 Andrew W. Mellon Native American Scholars Initiative Fellow at the American Philosophical Society.

The global land rush

In her new book, 'Fields of Gold, Financing the Global Land Rush,' Madeleine Fairbairn looks at forces and players that have transformed farmland into a novel financial asset class.

New federal funding supports student success, equity

Five years of federal funding from the Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Program will support a new project, "Graduating and Advancing New American Scholars (GANAS) - Career Pathways."

2020 Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture to feature visionary author Margaret Atwood 

Award-winning poet, novelist and essayist Margaret Atwood will be featured in conversation with UCSC alumna Kate Schatz, the New York Times bestselling author of "Rad American Women A-Z," as part of the Humanities Division’s annual Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture Series.

UC Santa Cruz ranks again as a top university for social mobility

The ranking (No. 4) speaks to the campus’s success in offering a world-class education to low income and first-generation students.

New art game explores intersection of personal trauma and climate induced wildfires

Sin Sol (No Sun) is an augmented reality game that allows players to experience the feelings of a climate change event. Set 50 years in the future, it tells the story of environmental collapse from the past—which is our present in 2020.

Summer Session helps students earn degrees

UC Santa Cruz staff and faculty have been steadily working to increase summer session enrollment, leading UCs in online offerings and working with departments to offer the classes students need to graduate.

Antiracist efforts must be ongoing, ever-improving

Antiracist work needs to extend beyond two days or even a summer, and needs to be ongoing, ever-improving, so that we can meaningfully heed the call of our undergraduate and graduate students, as well as our faculty and staff, to be antiracist, dismantle antiblackness, and continue active practices of inclusion so that our BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) communities can be successful and thrive at UCSC.

Election series looks at critical moment in time

The four-part series will address how social movements on the left and right have shaped what is at stake in the election, what institutional barriers to democracy exist in America’s political system, and how patterns of civic engagement are influencing the election.

In the line of fire

Alumnus Adam Lowdermilk had built a career as a musician, but the tragic 2018 Camp Fire prompted a change of heart and a leap into firefighting.

Rising to the Eco-Challenge

Two Slug alumni were part of a grueling, 11-day, 416-mile adventure race called Eco-Challenge Fiji, caught in a 10-episode series streaming on Amazon Prime.

History professor Eric Porter examines musical improvisation as a response to crisis

"Playing for Keeps: Improvisation in the Aftermath" is an exploration of the various ways that musical improvisation can be used as a method for responding to crisis and dealing with trauma and stress.

Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open

I am pleased to report that another phase of buildings has been cleared to resume operations, and I am modifying further the campus emergency declaration.

Adapting our fall housing plans

Chancellor Cynthia Larive update

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.

Threatened by wildfire, UC Santa Cruz campus shows it is 'Slug Strong'

Fast thinking and teamwork are keeping the UC Santa Cruz campus community safe during the devastating Lightning Complex fires as staff across campus coordinate in evacuating, relocating, and feeding displaced campus residents.

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.

UC Santa Cruz Declaration of Emergency

Chancellor Cynthia Larive declared a state of emergency, ordering closed the residential campus, the Coastal Science Campus, and the Westside Research Park.

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.

Be prepared for possible evacuation

As fire threats continue to impact our region and Santa Cruz county, we write to advise you to be prepared, should the need arise, to evacuate from the campus or be relocated elsewhere on campus as conditions change. At this point we have not been ordered to evacuate. Rather, we are asking that you take precautions and prepare should an evacuation be required. The better prepared you are the more effective a potential evacuation will be. There is nothing more important than your safety.

UCSC historian Greg O’Malley awarded NEH grant for research on slavery in early America

UCSC history professor Gregory O’Malley has received a Public Scholars Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to write a biography of David George, who was born a slave in 1743 and whose pursuit of freedom intersects with major events of the Revolutionary Era.

Economist's research cited in bill to strengthen federal minority business agency

When the COVID–19 pandemic hit, Professor Rob Fairlie knew he needed to shift his research to the economic impact of the crisis.

Selfie contest supports the 2020 Census

To generate more awareness on the importance of completing the census form, campus has launched the first-ever Slugs for Census Selfie Contest.

UCSC linguists receive $400,000 NSF grant for research on rarely studied languages

UC Santa Cruz linguistics professors Maziar Toosarvandani, Ivy Sichel, and Matthew Wagers have been awarded a $411,058 grant from the National Science Foundation to support research on endangered languages.

New Sikh and Punjabi Studies chair to enhance Asian Studies with focus on social justice

Associate professor of literature Guriqbal Singh Sahota has been appointed the new Sarbjit Singh Aurora Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies.

In Memoriam: Peggy Rose, associate director, EOP

It is with deep sadness that we write to tell you of the death of Ms. Peggy Rose. Ms. Rose passed away in the evening hours of July 17, 2020.

UC Santa Cruz, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County partner to expand access to COVID-19 testing

The campus is testing 200-400 samples every week collected by Salud Para la Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health. UCSC is providing the tests on a cost recovery basis and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County will be paying for the cost of the tests.

Campus to host information forum on COVID-19 recovery, resiliency

UC Santa Cruz will hold an information forum on COVID-19 recovery and resiliency planning efforts from 9:30–11 a.m. on Aug. 7.

Humanities Institute and Cabrillo Festival to celebrate fight for equal voting rights

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has teamed up with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and Bookshop Santa Cruz to present "Celebrating Woman Suffrage and the Struggle for Voting Rights"—a live Zoom panel discussion followed by audience Q&A

Virtual Dickens Universe to spotlight link between Victorian and African American studies

For nearly four decades, the Dickens Project at UC Santa Cruz—the largest multi-campus consortium on Victorian studies in the world—has presented the Dickens Universe, a week of intense study and festivities among the redwoods. But this year, due to the pandemic, it will instead be hosting a weeklong "Virtual Dickens Universe."

UC Santa Cruz admits a strong, diverse cohort for fall

Nearly a third of admitted first-year students earned a GPA above 4.13 and 55 percent earned a GPA between 3.6 and 4.12. The campus also significantly increased the number of students admitted from low-income families, underrepresented groups, and those who will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree.

Astrophysics graduate student Diana Powell wins 2020 Ford Fellowship

Powell won a Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship to support her work as she completes her Ph.D. thesis on exoplanets.

New film by Jennifer Taylor portrays Vermont town as microcosm of divided America

"For the Love of Rutland," a new documentary by UCSC film professor Jennifer Taylor, is an exploration of the multiple problems now faced by rural America--most notably the opioid epidemic, income inequality, racism, and xenophobia. 

UC welcomes our next president: Michael V. Drake, M.D.

The University of California Board of Regents has appointed Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the 21st president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.

Karen Yamashita offers dazzling short stories about growing up in Japanese America

Sansei and Sensibility, the latest book by UC Santa Cruz emerita professor of literature Karen Tei Yamashita is a dazzling collection of short stories about growing up and living in Japanese America.

UCSC / METRO Update

We are pleased to announce that an extension of the service agreement between UCSC and METRO has been reached.

UCSC collaborates with Santa Cruz Shakespeare for virtual Shakespeare Summer Series

The Humanities Institute and Shakespeare Workshop at UC Santa Cruz are joining forces with Santa Cruz Shakespeare to present their first virtual Shakespeare Summer Series.

Seymour Center director to retire

During Julie Barrett Heffington’s 21-year term as director, the center has established widely appreciated public programs and served nearly 1.5 million visitors

Steck Award recipient helps discover protein involved with circadian clock timing

Afred Freeberg assisted the Partch lab in studying the molecular basis for circadian rhythms - biological processes that occur naturally in line with the Earth’s 24-hour daily rotation cycle.

Building bridges out of prison walls

Student Alyssa Tamboura began a student-run, volunteer program called Walls to Bridges that mediates meetings between those jailed and their families as a way to work their way back to better relationships.

Campus to celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

UCSC’s SocDoc graduate documentary films to be screened online June 15 to August 31

UC Santa Cruz will present the premiere of thesis films by nine graduating M.F.A. students in the field of social documentation this year—in a special online presentation from June 15 to August 31.

A commencement like no other at UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz students, faculty, and staff couldn't gather in mass on campus for this year's commencement celebrations. But they still managed to celebrate their achievement and mark the occasion with stirring speeches, activism, and creativity.

THI presents acclaimed writer Pico Iyer in conversation with history professor Alan Christy

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz and Bookshop Santa Cruz will present an online event featuring bestselling author Pico Iyer in conversation with UCSC history professor Alan Christy.

Social Sciences recognizes students amid unprecedented times

The Social Sciences Division announced the recipients of its annual student achievement awards.

Historian Greg O’Malley awarded ACLS grant to expand Intra-American Slave Trade Database

UC Santa Cruz associate history professor Gregory O’Malley has received a 2020 Digital Extension Grant from The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) to expand coverage of the Intra-American Slave Trade Database.

Campus, Santa Cruz Community Health unite to test underserved community members

As news outlets published stories about celebrities and athletes unnecessarily getting tested for COVID-19, UC Santa Cruz scientists and staff saw an opportunity to provide fast testing for the community's most vulnerable residents who too often do not have access to the same medical services.

Give revolution a chance

History of Consciousness Professor Massimiliano Tomba's prestigious Princeton University fellowship will enable him to spend the next year advancing his reinterpretation of the concept of revolution

UCSC poet, lecturer, and alumnus Gary Young receives Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities

Literature Department lecturer Gary Young has been selected as the 2019-20 recipient of the John Dizikes Teaching Award in Humanities.

Physicist Tesla Jeltema wins Mentorship Award from American Physical Society

An accomplished astrophysicist, Jeltema is also a champion for diversity and a dedicated supporter of students at all levels.

UCSC faculty and alumni win Rydell Visual Arts Fellowships from Santa Cruz Community Foundation

A dance lecturer and two alumni from the UC Santa Cruz Arts Division have been awarded Rydell Visual Arts Fellowships for 2020 and 2021 from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

Eminent biologist Carol Greider to join UC Santa Cruz faculty

Known for her pioneering work on telomeres, Nobel laureate Carol Greider brings exceptional research and leadership skills to her appointment in the Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology.

Virtual art galleries created to exhibit works of 13 Irwin Scholars

This year’s exhibition of artwork by 13 Irwin Scholars typically would be installed at the Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery at Porter College. But, with campus closed and a physical exhibition out of the question, Irwin 2020 has gone virtual.

Field courses boost STEM diversity, study reveals

The challenge of diversifying STEM fields may get a boost from the results of a new study that show field courses help build self-confidence among students—especially those from underrepresented groups.

With a focus on public safety, Lick staff member turns to making masks

As a quilter with more than 40 years experience, Michele Redel decided to start making masks for the close-knit community at Lick Observatory.

Campus team a finalist in Amazon's Alexa challenge

UC Santa Cruz’s Team Athena is one of five teams remaining in the Alexa Prize Socialbot Grand Challenge from a field of 375 applicants from around the world.

Washington Post's depictions of autism shift from "cause and cure" to acceptance, study finds

The Washington Post's depiction of autism has shifted over the years from a focus on "cause and cure" toward one of acceptance and accommodation, say the authors of a new study.

Focus on patients led alumna to nursing

Even in the midst of COVID-19, Hannah Miller said she continues to do the same job—caring for patients when they are at their most vulnerable.

Planting trees is no panacea for climate change, says ecologist

Restoration ecologist Karen Holl has a simple message for anyone who thinks planting 1 trillion trees will reverse the damage of climate change: "We can't plant our way out of climate change."

Already vulnerable, gig economy workers in San Francisco suffer during coronavirus pandemic, survey reveals

A new survey of app-based ride-hailing and food and grocery-delivery workers in San Francisco underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy—and the coronavirus has made their plight much worse.

2020 Campus Elections Announcement

The sample ballot for the Spring 2020 Campus Elections is now available for your review at elections.ucsc.edu. Please take a moment to review this year's undergraduate and graduate student ballots.

Nominate students to be honored at the 2020 Service Recognition Ceremony

Students, faculty, and staff — have you or someone you know contributed to our Santa Cruz community through service work? See if you qualify to be honored at the Student Volunteer Center's Service Recognition Ceremony.

Slug Support provides a lifeline in the COVID-19 crisis

Emergency student assistance program rapidly shifts to remote work while fielding increased caseload and providing crucial help to some of campus's most vulnerable students

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session Remote

Open enrollment is underway for UC Santa Cruz Summer Session, which offers a wide range of remote courses across multiple departments.

Deer fawning season alert

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

Deer fawning season alert

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

Double fellowships

History of Consciousness Associate Professor Banu Bargu will use two fellowships to complete her book on human bodies, violence and political expression

Alumnus sews up $1 million prize on TV's Making the Cut

Graduate Jonny Cota, competing against international designers, makes a splash on reality-style fashion show produced by model Heidi Klum and fashion consultant Tim Gunn.

Student Health Center Pharmacy partners to make hand sanitizer for campus

With newly relaxed federal restrictions for pharmacies to compound hand sanitizer, pharmacy staff set out to create more hand sanitizer for the UCSC community.

'Seeds of Something Different' explores campus's trailblazing history

The 925-page book was inspired by a desire to share the rich treasure trove of oral history and collection of photos and campus posters with the public. It features more than 200 narrators as well as 250 images.

UC Santa Cruz theater arts costume shop steps up to combat COVID-19

Just a couple of weeks ago, Brent Foland never imagined he'd be building face masks for his fellow UC Santa Cruz employees.

Art in the time of COVID

UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences offers shelter-in-place relief with a new, virtual museum called Art Without Distance, featuring sights, sounds, words, curricula, and even a quirky campus tour.

Agroecology major available this fall

Beginning this fall, students will have an opportunity to enroll in a new agroecology major, an interdisciplinary program housed in the Environmental Studies Department.

Campus directive - restrictions on select trails and recreational spaces

Be advised that the campus is lifting some access and location restrictions while still maintaining closures of some locations.

Community Conversations: Resilience

Many of us find ourselves challenged with remote work, at a time when we may be dealing with personal matters or professional upheaval. Learning & Development invites you to gather and discuss how to care for ourselves and others in the current environment.

UC Santa Cruz joins the Association of Pacific Rim Universities

Joining the organization offers UC Santa Cruz another opportunity to widen institutional partnerships and relationships on a critically important international stage.

Slugs help high school students choose higher education

Student organizers of SIO Weekend had to cancel their in-person event in February when COVID-19 began impacting campus. But instead of pulling the plug altogether, organizers opted to serve their respective communities in a different way through a Student Initiated Outreach Yield Panel.

UCSC transit driver tests positive for COVID-19

UC Santa Cruz was notified late Saturday that an employee who works in Transportation and Parking Services as a campus shuttle driver tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts are with this employee and their family. We wish them a quick recovery.

Broadcasting opportunity

Alumnus Rizal Aliga takes the KZSC model to his high school alma mater, establishing a student-run broadcasting club that builds school spirit while providing students with career and communications skills.

Campus emergency directive closes trails and recreational spaces through April 15

Effective immediately, all UCSC campus trails and recreational spaces are closed and prohibited for use through April 15, 2020. Closure signs (in English and Spanish) are currently being posted at trailheads and recreational spaces (an initial list of locations is below and additional areas may receive signage). This directive follows the county's order to fight the spread of COVID-19 by sheltering in place. Please do your part, shelter in place, and only leave home to conduct essential activities.

Expect to see smoke near Arboretum, as burn piles planned for Friday

Campus work crews are planning to burn vegetation piles in and around the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum on Friday, April 10.

Physics undergraduate wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Elizabeth Yunerman, a junior studying physics and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2020 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Filling out census forms

An accurate 2020 census will help UC Santa Cruz immensely, and campus needs your help to ensure that happens!

Realignment of campus compliance organizations: Equity and Equal Protection Office

We are pleased to announce the realignment of existing campus compliance organizations into a single campus Equity and Equal Protection Office.The Office of Equity and Equal Protection will be comprised of the Title IX Office, the Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Office, the UCSC ADA Program, and the UCSC Whistleblower Program.

Vice Chancellor Peggy Delaney retiring

Emergency notification: Confirmed case of COVID-19 at UCSC

We write to share that the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency confirmed today that a student member of the UC Santa Cruz community has tested positive for COVID-19. The student lives off campus and has been self-isolating since being tested. The student was last on campus March 16 and is doing well.

California Sea Grant funds sustainable aquaculture project

Pallab Sarker, an associate research professor in environmental studies, has received support from the Coastal Sea Grant program to fund his research into the development of sustainable feed for farmed fish.

Campus to host an additional scoping session for Long Range Development Plan

UC Santa Cruz has announced an additional online scoping session to provide people with another opportunity to provide public input for its Long Range Development Plan.

Thousands move out as campus transitions to remote learning

As finals week wrapped up, more than 6,800 students had notified UC Santa Cruz that they planned to move off-campus for spring quarter. Another 1,300 told housing officials they planned to remain in campus housing. About 500 students have not yet shared their plans.

Beware of online employment scams

ACTION REQUIRED TODAY: Undergraduate, Graduate and Family Student Housing Tenants

In order to dramatically and immediately reduce the density on campus, we strongly urge all students who can leave campus to do so by Sunday, March 29. Travel to return to your permanent residence is encouraged and permissible.

FAQs on Housing and Dining

Read frequently asked questions related to dining and housing.

Do not use thermal heating packs on campus

Police and fire officials urge students who remain in campus housing to avoid the use of thermal heating packs to heat food.

UC Santa Cruz campus was ready for its close-up

Producers of 'Devs,' the new sci-fi thriller that premiered March 5 on Hulu, were looking for just the right location to depict a high-tech corporate campus with a tinge of dystopia. It needed to look like Northern California — sort of Silicon Valley-ish — and it needed to say science and tech. UC Santa Cruz was the right place at the right time.

Timing is key for parents who want to help children learn at museums, say researchers

Children's museums can be a challenging environment for parents who feel the urge to explain the science behind all the novel activities that dazzle youngsters. New research suggests that timing is key to supporting children's learning in these environments.

Two programs will support undergrads in research, service learning, and peer mentoring

Undergraduates in the Division of Social Sciences will soon benefit from two programs that will provide paid opportunities to do research, engage in service learning, and mentor their peers.

Operational changes to Dining Services - March 16 - 20, 2020

Campus operations impacted by Shelter in Place Order through April 7

In light of new actions by the county health officer, UC Santa Cruz is announcing changes that will apply to campus operations at its locations in Santa Cruz County.

UCSC to adopt remote instruction for duration of the spring quarter

I write today to announce that the suspension of in-person instruction, lectures and discussion sections is now extended to the full spring quarter. We also will continue with remote final exams at the end of spring quarter, June 8-12.

New book debunks myths about who causes crime and why

Craig Haney, a distinguished professor of psychology, is the author of the new book Criminality in Context: The Psychological Foundations of Criminal Justice Reform, a comprehensive analysis of 40 years of research into the root causes of criminal behavior.

Campus Advisory

UC Santa Cruz graduate students started an open-ended strike On Feb. 11, 2020. Organizers have said they will not be leading sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and/or conducting research. Demonstration activity at the base of campus is also anticipated.

Encouraging responsible communication on COVID-19

We understand there is a lot of information on the news and in social media surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus), and we wanted to ensure you know that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus. Any social media speculation about confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus is incorrect. 

UC Santa Cruz preparation for coronavirus

Though there are no confirmed cases of the virus here on our campus, the first confirmed case could very well happen on campus at any time. We want to be as prepared as possible so we can move quickly should we need to.

Update on grade withholding and spring quarter enrollments

I want to recognize your continued patience as we work through the effects of the unsanctioned graduate student strike. This has been a difficult year — you endured power outages in the fall, and more recently the withholding of fall quarter grades, and now the winter quarter teaching strike which has impeded your access to classes, sections, and labs. You have faced significant disruption and uncertainty over the past three months.

Elaine Sullivan uses 3D technologies to peel away the layers of history

A new "born-digital" publication by UC Santa Cruz associate history professor Elaine Sullivan takes a fresh look at the ancient Egyptian burial site of Saqqara to demonstrate how it has evolved over more than 2,500 years.

Updates and information on the coronavirus (COVID-19)

For now, the most important thing is for you to do is stay home and seek medical care if you’re feeling sick, especially if you develop a cough or a high temperature. Students should call the Student Health Center at 831-459-2591 for instructions on self-care or to make an appointment.

Update on grade strike

As you are likely aware, in an effort to better support our Ph.D. and MFA students and help address the very legitimate financial concerns they have raised, we announced and implemented a number of new campus programs to help alleviate their financial burdens – and we are working together to provide greater levels of support.

Chancellor announces workgroup, advisory committee to support graduate students

Chancellor Cynthia Larive announced a new Senate-Administrative Graduate Education working group to develop a comprehensive, actionable plan for strengthening graduate education and a Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Graduate Education.

Campus community input needed for grassland management plan

Justin Luong is trying to prioritize different campus grasslands for protection, given campus enrollment goals, sustainability goals, and the long range development plan.

CP/EVC recruitment update

Twelve grad students to showcase work during Grad Slam

The event returns to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center at 320-2 Cedar St. in Santa Cruz and is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Planned power outage scheduled for March 21, March 28

On March 21st and March 28th the campus will be shut-down to install all the required equipment to connect a new photovoltaic system to the campus grid and perform testing.

Campus conference to inaugurate new ‘Helene Moglen Lecture in Feminism and Humanities’

UC Santa Cruz will present Writing for Living, a conference in honor of emeritus dean of humanities and literature professor Helene Moglen (1936-2018), on March 13-14 at the Humanities Division.

Chancellor Cynthia Larive's remarks to the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate

Art professor’s exhibition in Spain addresses algae and climate change

UC Santa Cruz art professor Jennifer Parker believes that algae are an “unsung hero of the planet”--noting that these photosynthetic organisms produce one half of the total global oxygen, while absorbing one third of the carbon dioxide produced worldwide...

Van Williams, vice chancellor of information technology, talks diversity

In recognition of Black History Month, UC's Office of the President interviewed Vice Chancellor of Information Technology Van Williams, a UC thought leader on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

An open letter from President Janet Napolitano to faculty, staff and students at UC Santa Cruz

UC President Janet Napolitano addresses the unsanctioned strike at UC Santa Cruz.

Graduate student strike update

Interim Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer provides an update on the campus's work to bring the unsanctioned strike by some graduate students to an end.

Bringing new perspectives to astronomy

An array of grants from the Heising-Simons Foundation is helping UC Santa Cruz accelerate astrophysics and other sciences while changing what we think an astrophysicist looks like

Be ready to vote in March 3 primary election

Tuesday, March 3 is California’s Primary Election. There are several important matters on the ballot, including primary elections for federal, state and local offices in addition to several local and state initiatives. Voting is a citizen's fundamental right, and UC Santa Cruz urges you to let your voice be heard.

2019 Novel Coronavirus

This letter serves to update everyone with accurate information obtained from the CDC and state communicable disease specialists.

Unsanctioned strike by some graduate students

While campus leaders have recently been in dialogue with leaders of the Graduate Student Association to prevent escalating strike activities, the campus community should be ready in the event of strike activities Monday. 

Humanities Institute launches new ‘Deep Read’ initiative with spotlight on Margaret Atwood

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has launched “The Deep Read,” a new initiative that invites the campus—and the community at large—to take a deep dive into literature, art, and the most pressing issues of the day.

Women's Rugby celebrates 40 years

The UC Santa Cruz Women's Rugby team celebrates its 40-year history, including numerous titles and hundreds of friendships.

Community input key for new Athletics and Recreation Banana Slug

Engineering speaker series highlights diverse voices in tech

The Baskin School of Engineering is presenting Diverse Voices 2020, a professional speaker series running through May 14 and featuring a diverse group of industry leaders, including alum Tara Hernandez.

Craig Haney testifies before committee charged with revising state's penal code

Craig Haney, distinguished professor of psychology, was the only witness to testify during the first meeting of the newly formed Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.

Lighting project advances carbon neutrality

A lighting retrofit in Humanities Buildings 1 and 2 has resulted in a 20 percent energy reduction in the buildings’ energy use.

UCSC taking art/science LASER talk series downtown for special evening at Rio Theater

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Institute of the Arts and Sciences will bring its local LASER—now in its seventh year of quarterly talks on campus—downtown for a special evening at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, beginning at 7 p.m.

New graduate student programs: FAQ

Additional information is available for the two new programs to support graduate students.

Questions That Matter: Reporting the Middle East and the future of investigative journalism

The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz will present "Reporting the Middle East and the Future of Investigative Journalism"—the sixth installment of its Questions That Matter series—on Feb. 4 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in downtown Santa Cruz.

Linguistics grad student focused on understudied languages

Vishal Arvindam is particularly interested in psycholinguistics, the study of how humans acquire, use, and understand language. Much research has been done on the world's major languages, with others left unstudied.

Breaking down barriers to success

First-gen student Reina Garay-Solis is doing undergraduate research to help identify common challenges for first-gen and underrepresented students and find effective institutional practices to address them

‘We The Enemy’ solo show by artist Carlos Motta explores the politics of borders

'We the Enemy,' the first West Coast solo exhibition of artworks by internationally acclaimed artist Carlos Motta, opens at the Sesnon Gallery on Jan. 23. It will be accompanied by 'Bodies on the Border,' a symposium at UCSC and SFMOMA, organized by the artist in collaboration with UCSC's Institute of the Arts and Sciences.

Global study of street networks reveals growing urban sprawl

Local streets of the world’s cities are becoming less connected, part of a global trend that is driving urban sprawl and discouraging the use of public transportation.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to kick off ‘Beyond the End of the World’ lecture series

The Humanities Institute and the Center for Creative Ecologies at UC Santa Cruz will launch the "Beyond the End of the World" lecture series with award-winning author Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, on January 23, at the Music Center Recital Hall.

Seeking assistance with campus vandalism incidents

UC Santa Cruz police are seeking the campus community’s help in the investigation of a series of vandalism incidents that have occurred throughout campus since Friday.

Arts professor’s anthology named one of 'Best Art Books of the Decade'

'Chicano and Chicana Art: A Critical Anthology'--a diverse collection of essays edited by UCSC history of art and visual culture professor Jennifer González--has been named one of the "Best Art Books of the Decade" by ArtNews.

Biologist Jordan Ward wins NSF CAREER Award

Jordan Ward, assistant professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation.

Update on UC’s seismic safety initiative

The safety of our campus community is our highest priority and reflected in our continuous work to improve seismic resilience on campus.

Biodiesel for buses cuts carbon footprint

By switching to renewable diesel fuel, UC Santa Cruz has significantly reduced the amount of carbon emitted from its student shuttles and other fleet vehicles.

UC Santa Cruz helps develop Egyptian Center of Excellence for Water

UC Santa Cruz is partnering with the American University in Cairo, nine other Egyptian and U.S.-based universities, and industry partners to help Egypt make the most of its limited water supply.