April 2021 News Archive

Motorists should expect traffic delays along McLaughlin Drive in May, June

Construction crews are expected to begin road maintenance work sometime in May or June 2021 on McLaughlin Drive between the McLaughlin Drive / Heller Drive intersection to the bridge east of Science Hill.

Project to read genomes of all 70,000 vertebrate species reports first discoveries

A bold project to read the complete genetic sequences of every known vertebrate species has reached its first milestone, publishing new methods and the first 25 high-quality

Planning for fall, UC vaccination policy coming, changes to national mask guidance

Planning for the fall quarter remains in full swing, as we look to balance the desires of so many to return to campus to both learn and work and the need to keep our campus community healthy amid a continuing pandemic.

2021 PIT-UN Network Challenge funding open for submissions

An information session about this funding opportunity is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5.

Fellowship win supports doctoral candidate’s research on national security policy

Cesar Estrella, a Ph.D. candidate in Latin American and Latino studies, won an American Council of Learned Societies fellowship to support his study of the ideologies that drive

Center for South Asian Studies supporting aid efforts for India

The Center for South Asian Studies at UC Santa Cruz is encouraging the campus community to support aid efforts for India, which is grappling with a dramatic increase in COVID-19 infections.

2021-22 Dickson Emeritus awards support faculty research in history, literature, and psychology

Karen Yamashita, professor emerita of literature; Dana Frank, research professor in history; and Thomas Pettigrew, research professor in psychology, were each awarded Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professorships in recognition

Alumni Week was a virtual smorgasbord for nostalgic Banana Slugs

Banana Slugs showed off their creativity and adaptability during last week’s all-virtual Alumni Week, a celebration that made the most of its online format and featured more than

William Doyle, founding director of UCSC’s Institute of Marine Sciences, dies at 91

William T. Doyle, professor emeritus of biology and founding director of the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa Cruz, died peacefully at his home in Santa

Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni

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

Data team's dashboard provides campus with real-time COVID updates

UC Santa Cruz turned to Institutional Research, Assessment and Policy Studies for help to create a dashboard that would provide frequent updates for the campus community. Ole Kupsch

Faculty experts share pandemic-era lessons for the future of K-12 education

UC Santa Cruz researchers who have studied the pandemic’s impact on K-12 education share lessons they hope will be remembered for the

UC Santa Cruz named No. 3 public university for ‘making an impact’

Underscoring a reputation of pushing for positive change, UC Santa Cruz has been named the No. 3 public university in the nation for students focused on making an

Systemwide Review of Presidential Policy - Fee Policy for Graduate Student In Absentia Registration

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy - Fee Policy for Graduate Student In Absentia Registration.  

Three UCSC professors elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Angela Davis, distinguished professor emerita of history of consciousness and feminist studies; James Estes, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology; and Barbara Rogoff, distinguished professor of psychology, are

Professor Anne Kapuscinski will speak at upcoming Nobel Prize Summit

Environmental Studies Professor Anne Kapuscinski, director of the UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science and Policy program, will present recommendations on strengthening sustainability education during the “Our Planet, Our

Researchers rescue endangered black abalone buried by debris flows

Massive quantities of sediment washed onto the Big Sur coast from the Dolan Fire burn scar, burying black abalone in their rocky intertidal

Office of the President details COVID-19 vaccine policy

The University of California Office of the President is proposing a policy that would make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all faculty, staff, academic appointees, and students accessing facilities at any UC campus beginning in fall quarter 2021.

UC Santa Cruz and United Way partner to empower youth through research in local communities

A research partnership between UC Santa Cruz and United Way of Santa Cruz County will offer local youth and UCSC undergraduates new leadership platforms and support college-readiness and

Enabling women and girls to achieve their potential

Alumna Ann Starrs, director of family planning at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, came to reproductive health work from a steadfast commitment—strengthened by her time at UC

Statement on guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin case

While I am relieved by and grateful for today’s verdict, it does not bring back George Floyd, a man who was clearly loved by many. As we work toward real systemic change, we must hold close the aspiration that next week, next month, next year, there will be no more victims to grieve, but we know the reality and fear that many people face daily.

Live reading of The Comedy of Errors to benefit new scholarship for theater students

UCSC’s Arts Division will present a live virtual reading of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors on Friday, April 23, to honor Theater Arts professor Danny Sheie, who is

Update on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Interim Policy

I write to raise awareness of new policy requirements, affirm the campus’s commitment to the guiding principles and procedures, provide mechanisms to report if you believe you or others may hold Native American or Native Hawaiian human remains or cultural items, and enlist your assistance ensuring the campus fully complies with this important human rights policy.

James Webb Space Telescope program aims to map the earliest structures of the universe

COSMOS-Webb is slated to be the largest program in JWST’s first year of

2021 Campus Elections Announcement

The sample ballot for the Spring 2021 Campus Elections is now available for your review.

Seeking faculty to participate in new course redesign program

Developed by CITL in partnership with Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives, Institutional Research, Assessment and Policy Studies, and selected STEM faculty, Project REAL is designed to provide faculty with a research-based program to engage in comprehensive equity-minded course redesign to improve teaching and learning and contribute to equitable outcomes for students at UC Santa Cruz.

Campus revamping writing programs for assistant, associate professors impacted by the pandemic

In response to the concerns of faculty whose research was adversely impacted by the pandemic, the campus is revamping and funding two peer-support writing programs to help faculty advance their research with teaching relief.

Enviroslug presents 20th annual Earth Summit

Enviroslug is bringing Naomi Klein to speak on democracy, sustainable planning, and more.

Forthcoming UC Santa Cruz COVID-19 follow-up survey

We write seeking your participation in an upcoming COVID-19 follow-up survey that is being administered by UC San Diego.

Kalwis Lo: Expanding access

Kalwis Lo learned an important lesson as he battled a cancer that threatened not only to end his life but also bankrupt his family.

Alumna Terri McCullough, chief of staff to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, will make a virtual campus visit for Alumni Week

This year’s Alumni Week will feature a virtual fireside chat with Terri McCullough, an Oakes '91 politics alumna who is now chief of staff to House Speaker Nancy

IMS Director Dan Costa named a fellow of the Society for Marine Mammalogy

Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been honored by the Society of Marine

New interim Interior Artwork Installations policy

To support the existing processes surrounding the installation of artworks in common areas, the Interior Artwork Installations policy will be implemented on an interim basis.

Honoring UC Santa Cruz’s 2021 Distinguished Graduate School Alumni

The five recipients of this year’s Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni Award will be honored for their achievements during a Zoom-based webinar award ceremony on Saturday, April 24. The

Coral reefs prevent more than $5.3 billion in potential flood damage for U.S. property owners

A new study reveals how valuable coral reefs are in protecting people, structures, and economic activity in the United States from coastal flooding during

Baked meteorites yield clues to planetary atmospheres

The gases released from meteorite samples heated in a high-temperature furnace can tell scientists about the initial composition of the atmospheres of rocky

Two UC Santa Cruz arts professors receive 2021 Guggenheim Fellowships

Film and digital media professor Irene Lusztig and art professor Elizabeth Stephens were among the 184 artists, writers, scholars, and scientists selected this year from nearly 3,000 applicants

Loosening of COVID-19 testing requirements

We are now requiring only one test a week instead of two for students living, working or taking classes on campus.

Ramping up operations in spring and summer

The update below provides guidance on the continued ramp-up of campus operations through summer as we head to fall quarter.

Campus update: COVID testing changes; expanded vaccine eligibility; celebrating commencement with a special Slug crossing

We hope these updates are helpful and allow you to stay on top of what is happening as we move through the rest of this academic year and start eyeing the fall quarter.

Update on Commencement Planning

As more and more Californians receive the COVID-19 vaccination and the state eases restrictions around in-person activities, our campus has been exploring additional opportunities to celebrate our graduates.

Statement on the tragic death of Daunte Wright

We must continue to confront deeply embedded racism and how it continues to manifest itself in our systems and structures including policing policies and practices.

Inaugural Banana Slug Share sessions will add life and learning to Alumni Week

The spirit of "paying it forward" infuses UC Santa Cruz’s inaugural Banana Slug Share Sessions, in which alumni will provide hard-won advice about everything from kombucha-making to the

Study warns of ‘oxygen false positives’ in search for signs of life on other planets

Oxygen in the atmosphere may not be an entirely reliable ‘biosignature,’ but there are ways to distinguish false positives from signs of

EH&S director focused on supporting employees through pandemic

Early in the pandemic, the Environmental Health and Safety team worked to provide face coverings to the campus and stay up on the latest information.

Study of U.S. tuna fisheries explores nexus of climate change, sustainable seafood

A new study by researchers at UC Santa Cruz and NOAA examines traditional aspects of seafood sustainability alongside greenhouse gas emissions to better understand the carbon footprint of

UCSC's Van Williams discusses diversity in IT at Stanford event

Speaking at the second “Conversations with Extraordinary Leaders” at Stanford University last month, Van Williams, vice chancellor of information technology and strategic technology initiatives at UC Santa Cruz, said designing for diversity and inclusivity within organizations requires planning.

New Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL21) for COVID-19 relief available to all employees in 2021

This communication is to inform you of a recent update on the University of California’s (University) COVID-19 Related Leaves for policy-covered and represented academic and staff employees.

Sharing insights from more than six decades of social psychology research

New book by Professor Emeritus Thomas Pettigrew distills themes across his storied

May 6th Spring Forum with Chancellor Larive

The Staff Advisory Board seeks to continue supporting staff by amplifying your voices to campus leadership. We will be partnering with the Chancellor's office to facilitate a venue for you to make your voices heard.

Inaugural Hayden White lecture to explore the afterlife of slavery with author Saidiya Hartman

Award-winning literary scholar and cultural historian Saidiya Hartman will be the featured guest at the inaugural Hayden V. White Distinguished Annual Lecture, a virtual event that takes place

NASA selects two UCSC scientists to join Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter mission

Ian Garrick-Bethell and Mikhail Kreslavsky are among the nine participating scientists who will join the KPLO science

UCSC climate change conference focuses on food security issues

‘Confronting Climate Change: Food Security in a Changing World’ will be held virtually April 28-29, featuring a panel of experts and a series of short

Antonio Velasco: Medicine and activism

UC Santa Cruz and other higher education institutions urge strong 2030 U.S. climate target

A group of colleges and universities across the United States sent a letter to the White House today calling on the Biden-Harris administration to adopt a target of at least 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

UC Santa Cruz to launch new support center to advance the university’s innovation, industry engagement

UC Santa Cruz is launching a new support center to advance innovation, entrepreneurship and business engagement that will leverage the campus’s innovative spirit and be guided by its

Marco Rolandi appointed faculty director of UCSC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development

UC Santa Cruz has appointed Marco Rolandi, professor and chair of the department of electrical and computer engineering, to serve as faculty director of the Center for Innovation

Alumni Week 2021: Bringing the festivities to you!

UC Santa Cruz's all-virtual Alumni Week will offer both Slugs and the community a wide menu of smart, interesting, and just-plain-fun events, wherever you may be on the

Proud Slugs making a difference through public service

A Superior Court judge. The director of the public art program for Los Angeles. A defense attorney. They all believe in public service, and they all say their

Erika Zavaleta honored for diversity efforts by Ecological Society of America

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) has chosen Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, to receive its 2021 Commitment to Human Diversity

Research shows physical appearance affects career success in economics

Economics Professor and Center for Analytical Finance Co-Director Galina Hale is uncovering how appearance affects career success for economists.

COVID mitigation strategies and COVID vaccine FAQs

Guidance and requirements regarding continued compliance efforts surrounding COVID-19 mitigation through spring quarter 2021.

Town hall on how to protect your information following UC data breach

UCSC Information Security will hold a town hall following the data breach that is affecting the UC community.

Deer fawning season alert

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

Voting now open for Staff Advisory Board positions

It is time to choose your new Staff Advisory Board members! Members serve a three-year term and may run for re-election. This year we have four openings and seven candidates.

Supporting students with the latest Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), signed into law in late December, provided our campus with $28.8 million on March 17 to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic on the university and its students.

Event to focus on the case for Black reparations

“Reparations for Black Americans: The Road to Racial Equality in California and Beyond,” hosted on April 15 by the Institute for Social Transformation, will feature a discussion with

Campus follow-up on Accellion cyber attack

UC Office of the President sent an email today (April 2) with information about a cyber security incident and the steps to take to monitor your personal information. Please read it carefully for more information and resources.

UCSC awarded three 2021 VOICE grants from UC National Center for Free Speech

UC Santa Cruz has received three awards from the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement's Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement (VOICE) Grant

Pioneering plant scientist Jean Langenheim dies at 95

Jean Langenheim, an eminent plant ecologist and leading authority on amber and plant resins, died on Sunday, March 28, in Santa Cruz. She was

Planning for fall and staying connected through the spring

With spring in full bloom, I write with updates on what to expect this quarter for instruction and in campus housing, to make sure you're all aware of our still evolving plans for fall, and to highlight some of the creative ways that Banana Slugs are staying connected while we are still spread geographically far and wide.

Registration open for 2021 Summer Edge

Registration opens today for newly admitted students to start their UC Santa Cruz experience this summer.