Sad news regarding former Chancellor Robert Stevens

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of former UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Robert B. Stevens, a British born legal scholar who led our campus in the difficult days after 1989’s Loma Prieta earthquake. He died at his home in Oxford, England, on Jan. 30, at the age of 87.

Chancellor Stevens took great pride in the increased access for students from all backgrounds during his four years at UCSC. From 1987 to 1991, the number of students of color on our campus rose about 20 percent. Joining a university whose mission is to serve students from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds is what sold him on becoming a UC chancellor. He also worked hard to foster positive relations between our campus and city leaders. In the days following the earthquake, he collaborated with city leaders to work together to recover as one community. 

I did not know Chancellor Stevens personally, but he reached out after my arrival to campus to offer his best wishes, and again this summer when the wildfire was nearing campus. I appreciated his kindness and support in both instances. 
 
Please join me in taking a moment to recognize Chancellor Stevens’ contributions to campus, which are detailed in a story on our campus newscenter. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, and to those in our campus community who counted him a colleague and friend.