January 2021 News Archive

Anthropologist Savannah Shange wins book award for insights on race and education

Anthropology faculty member Savannah Shange received one of the most prestigious honors in the field when she was awarded the 2020 Gregory Bateson Book Prize from the Society

Pruebas de COVID-19 para toda la facultad y el personal

El programa de pruebas de COVID-19 en el campus amplió su capacidad a fin de continuar ofreciendo pruebas de COVID-19 a los empleados (personal y facultad), así Uds. trabajen dentro o fuera del campus principal o en sitios auxiliares.

COVID-19 testing for all faculty and staff

The campus COVID-19 testing program has expanded its capacity so that we can continue to offer COVID-19 tests to employees (staff and faculty), whether you work on or off the main campus or at ancillary locations.

In Memoriam: Robert Shepherd (1938-2021)

Robert Shepherd, a teaching professor emeritus from the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department, passed away at 82 years old. Shepherd taught at UC Santa Cruz for more than

Sociology researcher seeks solutions for Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Sociology researcher Les Guliasi’s most recent paper shows how “microgrid” technologies could reduce the impact of outages, if regulatory challenges can be

UCSC awarded National Endowment for the Humanities grants to support faculty research

UC Santa Cruz has received two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support faculty research and writing leading to book

With record applications, UC Santa Cruz poised to build exceptional, diverse fall class

The competition to earn a spot at UC Santa Cruz will increase this year, with the campus receiving a record number of applications and nearly 200 students approved

Update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Last week, I shared an update on the COVID-19 vaccine that included information on the updated Interim COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees. As the UC system continues its vaccine roll-out and the state adapts its distribution approach, I provide the following updated information. Additional information is available on the Student Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.

Fellowship program gives UCSC grad policy experience in Sacramento

After earning his Ph.D. in 2020, Jason John will work at the California Natural Resources Agency as a CCST Science

In Memoriam: Harold Widom (1932–2021)

Harold Widom, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, passed away on Wednesday, January

Digital NEST founder to serve as external adviser to chancellor

Jacob Martinez is bringing his insight on economic opportunity, community empowerment and digital innovation to UC Santa Cruz as an external special adviser to Chancellor Cindy

California lifts Limited Stay at Home Order; Santa Cruz County remains in purple tier

The Limited Stay-at-Home Order announced in December has been lifted. The California Department of Public Health lifted the order Monday, stating that counties will now return to the guidelines and restrictions outlined in the color-coded tier system of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Energy spent avoiding humans linked to smaller home ranges for male pumas

New research shows that fear of humans causes mountain lions to increase their energy expenditures as they move through the landscape, and this can ultimately limit the size

Upcoming storm, Santa Cruz County evacuations, and support services

A powerful winter storm is expected to hit Santa Cruz County on Tuesday and extend into Thursday, with up to eight inches of rain forecast in some parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For that reason, Santa Cruz County and Cal Fire have issued an evacuation order for some local areas due to the risk of flooding and debris flows.

A year of generosity

In 2020, UCSC donors demonstrated how giving can make a positive difference even in a period of

Pathways To Retirement Program Launched

I’m pleased to announce the launch of the Pathways to Retirement program for Senate faculty.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center offers new marine science virtual expeditions

“Scientists Saving the Oceans” program begins with a behind-the-scenes look at how marine mammal researchers are working to protect dolphins and whales from ocean

New book by arts professor takes fresh look at controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe

UCSC history of art and visual culture professor Derek Conrad Murray offers the first dedicated book-length critical study of Mapplethorpe's lesser-known still life flower

UCSC Zoom Live Transcription

We are excited to share that the option for live transcription is now available through your UCSC Zoom account. The Zoom host can decide to enable this feature for each Zoom session.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine policy for personnel and certain trainees

In follow up to last week’s update, we write to share that the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) has released an UPDATED interim COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Italian newspaper ranks sociology professor among top women of the year

Camilla Hawthorne is being recognized for shedding light on emergent Afro-Italian identities and activism during a time of racial reckoning in Italy and beyond.

Support resources during fires, power outages

Many of us have been anxious today as Cal Fire battles several wildfires in our region. The devastation caused by last summer’s fires remains on our minds. Though the campus is not threatened, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will share more information with our campus community as appropriate.

In Memoriam: Buchanan Sharp (1942–2020)

With profound sadness, we announce the death of Buchanan Sharp, professor emeritus of history, an extraordinary person, a lively spirit, and one of our department's most outstanding teachers.

UC Santa Cruz economic impact provides foundation for thriving region

When adjusted for the size of the Monterey Bay regional economy, UC Santa Cruz’s economic impact is second only to UC Davis in the Sacramento/Tahoe region and ahead

High-wind advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a High-Wind Warning for the Santa Cruz area until 6 p.m. Tuesday evening. The wind advisory is expected to result in the potential for winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40-50 mph

Grant funding will advance aquaculture research in UCSC’s new state-of-the-art facility

Researchers won a USDA grant in support of their efforts to develop ocean-friendly feed formulas for farm-raised rainbow trout. This work will take place in the team's new

Humanities Institute launches 2021 Deep Read with Tommy Orange’s novel ‘There There’

Following the success of last year’s Deep Read with guest author Margaret Atwood, The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has announced the second installment of its new

COVID-19 campus case rates and vaccination planning

This message includes some key updates about our current case rate and operating status, our asymptomatic testing program, and our vaccine rollout.

UCSC’s Osterbrock Leadership Program goes national

The National Osterbrock Leadership Program provides experiences and opportunities for astronomy graduate students to develop leadership and management

In Memoriam: Claude F. Bernasconi (1939–2021)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is deeply saddened to announce that Distinguished Professor Claude F. Bernasconi passed away on January 4, 2021, from complications due to

Computer scientist Cormac Flanagan elected ACM Fellow

Cormac Flanagan, professor of computer science and engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world's leading computing

Lessons from Dante in a time of COVID

UC Santa Cruz literature professor Filippo Gianferrari finds meaning and poignancy—made even more acute by the 'purgatory' of social distancing—in the Divine Comedy on the epic poem’s 700th

Study of flowers with two types of anthers solves mystery that baffled Darwin

Some flowers use a clever strategy to ensure effective pollination by bees, doling out pollen gradually from two different sets of

TestMe: Keeping our community healthy, one test at a time

The campus testing center has expanded its capacity so that it can now administer COVID-19 tests for the off-site student population, as well as for faculty and staff

UC Santa Cruz offers virtual tours of Younger Lagoon Natural Reserve

Prompted by the temporary suspension of in-person tours due to COVID-19, the new virtual tours are available in English and

UC Santa Cruz ofrece giras virtuales de la Reserva Natural Laguna Younger

Dada la suspensión temporal de giras en persona debido al COVID-19, las nuevas giras virtuales están disponibles en inglés y

Physicist Steven Ritz receives Outstanding Faculty Award

Physics Professor Steven Ritz has received the 2019–20 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological

Planning for fall quarter

Earlier today, University of California President Michael Drake announced that all 10 campuses are planning for a return to primarily in-person instruction for fall 2021. This information will be helpful to us all as we begin planning for the coming academic year.

Two UCSC geophysicists honored by Royal Astronomical Society

Thorne Lay and Emily Brodsky, both professors of Earth and planetary sciences, are receiving the Gold Medal for Geophysics and the Price Medal,

New analysis highlights importance of groundwater discharge into oceans

A global assessment of the impact of groundwater on ocean chemistry is important for understanding the weathering of rocks and its effects on

UCSC’s Living Writers Series a place to shelter in the storm 

“Shelter and Place” is the theme of the 2021 winter installment of the Living Writers Series at UC Santa Cruz. Curated by Micah Perks, professor of literature and director

Professor recognized among the art world’s top influencers for 2020

Anthropology professor Anna Tsing won international acclaim for an interdisciplinary project that documents drivers of the Anthropocene in creative new

Students, staff, faculty contribute nearly 160,000 meals through Holiday Food and Fund Drive

UC Santa Cruz students, staff, and faculty contributed nearly $40,000 to the 2020 Holiday Food and Fund Drive sponsored by the Staff Advisory Board, enough to provide nearly

UCSC imagines campus 20 years from now, releases roadmap for its future and accompanying environmental review

The draft 2021 Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP) and accompanying draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) released today lays out a framework for the campus’ evolution and reflects years of

Campus LRDP: A blueprint for our future

Our campus sustains a clear vision for its future, and a vital part of that roadmap is our draft 2021 UC Santa Cruz Long Range Development Plan, released earlier today.

Graduate student advances university access for Latinx students

Valeria Alonso Blanco wants to do anything she can to help Latinx transfer students have a successful experience at UC Santa Cruz.

CITRIS UCSC Tech For Social Good Program funds student teams

Six student teams at UCSC have been chosen for funding this year through the Tech for Social Good Program run by CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UCSC

Mark Wooding: Drawing them in

Support in this time of political unrest

I am appalled by the reckless behavior of the rioters in our nation’s capital and the stoking of the flames of racism and mistrust in our democratic processes. This has been an unprecedented time in the civic life of our nation.

Friends of Lick Observatory helps fund wildfire recovery efforts

The group has designated $75,000 for the emergency support of wildfire relief efforts at Lick Observatory, where telescopes were saved but infrastructure was

Looking forward to the year ahead

The new year is a time of reflection and resolution, an opportunity to look back at what was while also envisioning what can be.

UC Santa Cruz scholar of Chinese American history Judy Yung dies at 74

Judy Yung, a pioneering author and scholar of Chinese American and women's history, died on December 14,

Uncovering the social factors lurking within diabetes risk

Assistant professor of sociology James Doucet-Battle's new book challenges assumptions about race within diabetes research and delves into the issue through the lens of African American experience.

Shedding light on one of environmental policy’s most under-the-radar strategies

Associate professor of environmental studies Sikina Jinnah studies the environmental provisions contained within trade agreements and wants to help policymakers better navigate this