October 2021 News Archive

Additional student space for studying, private appointments

The increased use of video conferencing for healthcare appointments, group meetings, and remote/online instruction has underscored a need for more student space on campus.

 A new era for College Ten begins as it transitions to John R. Lewis College

College Ten, an undergraduate residential learning community founded on principles of social justice and community, will be named in honor of the late congressman and civil rights icon

How one tiny island influenced the world

Egill Bjarnason, journalist and Soc Doc alumnus, explains the big history of his native Iceland in a "joyously peculiar book."

Ecologist Erika Zavaleta named ESA Excellence in Ecology Scholar

Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, has been selected by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) as one of four ESA Excellence

Survivor salmon that withstand drought and ocean warming provide a lifeline for California Chinook

Late migration of outgoing juvenile fish is a crucial life history strategy for survival of spring-run Chinook salmon during drought

Open Enrollment 2021 for UC Faculty & Staff Starts Today

University of California’s annual Open Enrollment (OE) period will take place from 8 a.m. October 28th through 5 p.m. on November 19th.

Data-driven animations of marine mammals combine biology, art, and computation

New tools for data visualization can transform data from animal-borne tags into cinematic and informative animations of marine mammal

UC Santa Cruz advances commitment to social justice with College 10 naming in honor of John R. Lewis

College Ten—an undergraduate residential learning community founded on principles of social justice and community—will be named in honor of the late congressman and civil rights icon John R.

Pradip Mascharak named Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Pradip Mascharak, distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, an honor given to scientists

Prescribed burns scheduled today to Nov. 5 in Wilder Ranch State Park

California State Parks is planning to begin prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz County beginning today (Oct. 27), pending weather conditions.

College Ten to be named for civil rights icon John R. Lewis

Today is a momentous day for UC Santa Cruz and for our extended campus community. I am thrilled and honored to announce that College Ten will be named John R. Lewis College.

As launch of James Webb Space Telescope nears, astronomers anticipate new era of discoveries

UCSC astronomers will be among the first to use the powerful new space telescope, and have been involved in the project from the

UCSC to continue in-house childcare services

Providing affordable, stable, and robust child care is critical for our campus community. In order to focus on our work—whether studying, teaching, research, or the business of UC Santa Cruz—we must feel confident that our children are in a good environment with people who will support their development and education.

Reclaiming Coast Miwok history through Indigenous interpretations of archaeology

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Tsim Schneider's latest book gathers and interprets archival and archaeological evidence in new ways that combat the erasure of Indigenous peoples from historical

Jody Greene appointed CP/EVC special advisor on educational equity and academic success

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jody Greene, Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Professor of Literature, as special advisor to the CP/EVC for educational equity and academic success.

Ryan Sharp to serve as assistant vice chancellor for Innovation and Business Engagement

For the past six years, Sharp has worked in UC Davis’s Venture Catalyst unit, which focuses on supporting faculty, students, staff, alumni, and technology licensees in launching and growing new startups based on translational research, intellectual property, and innovative ideas developed at the university.

Slug Strong Update: Be sure to get your flu vaccine

We’re continuing to see a decline in COVID-19 cases, both in our campus community and in Santa Cruz County.

Seagrass restoration study shows rapid recovery of ecosystem functions

Restored plots of eelgrass in Elkhorn Slough expanded rapidly, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates and other benefits of a healthy

SAB Staff Mentorship Program: Application Period Now Open!

The application period is now open to participate in the 2022 Staff Mentorship Program.

Upcoming campus visits for Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Success finalists

We are anticipating the campus visits for the finalists in the search for the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Success, and I invite everyone in our campus community to participate in the process and to provide feedback on the finalists.

In memory: Yolanda Dybdahl

The community leader served as a UC Santa Cruz Foundation trustee during a period of significant

Emerging ocean conservation leaders set to visit UC Santa Cruz

The Blue Pioneers Program (BPP) Accelerator recently announced its 2021 cohort of international ocean conservation professionals who will visit UC Santa Cruz’s Coastal Science Campus.

Astronomers witnessed the spectacular death of a star as it happened

Observations with multiple telescopes yield new insights into the final stages in the evolution of a massive star before it exploded in a core-collapse

Test of community emergency alert system at 10 a.m. today

Santa Cruz County emergency response officials are planning a test of the county’s alert and warning system at 10 a.m. today.

UC flu vaccination mandate compliance due Nov. 19

The University of California issued an executive order on Oct. 8, 2021 , requiring flu vaccination for all students, faculty, other academic appointees, and staff who learn, live, or work at a UC location.

Long-term study of elephant seal reproduction shows population’s resilience

Researchers found that a female elephant seal’s age and experience were more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at

CASFS will become the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology

The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) will get a new name, logo, and look and feel through a rebranding project that affirms the center’s commitment to advancing agroecology and equitable food systems.

Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award

Ramirez-Ruiz will be honored by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at the 2021 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM

Request for Directory and Emergency Alert system updates

In preparation for emergency planning and other compliance needs, it is critical that the university understands where our current employees spend the majority of their work day.

Highlighting academic excellence

What you’re reading here is the first of what will be a quarterly communication from me, highlighting academic news from around campus.

Biologist Beth Shapiro’s new book explores how humans have shaped life on Earth

‘Life as We Made It’ explains how our species has been manipulating nature for the past 50,000 years and what the future may hold, depending on how we

New book shares lessons from history on the case for Senate reform

In his new book, Professor of Politics Daniel Wirls uses historical research and modern-day analysis to argue that features of the Senate undermine effective democratic governance and have

‘Manatee Man' Jamal Galves wins scholarship to study coastal science and policy

Request for feedback on proposed new model to support free speech and protest Inbox

To help our campus do better in the future, we invite the campus community to provide feedback on the Support Structures for Free Speech and Lawful Protest Proposal.

Social Sciences Division convenes for awards ceremony

The Division of Social Sciences gathered on October 14 to present awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments by faculty, staff, researchers, and emeriti

Astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz awarded American Physical Society’s Nicholson Medal

The American Physical Society’s 2021 Dwight Nicholson Medal for Outreach recognizes Ramirez-Ruiz for innovations in

Equity Compensation Program for Non-represented Staff - Employee Action Request and Funding Pause

On September 14, 2021 Chancellor Larive announced a 3-year program to increase salary levels for non-represented staff that are low relative to market.

UCSC launches CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research

UC Santa Cruz is launching a new initiative offering educational training and research support for the development and use of drone technology across all academic disciplines and many

Biologist Roxanne Beltran wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has awarded a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering to Roxanne Beltran, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa

Library invited to join prestigious Association of Research Libraries

The ARL is a nonprofit membership organization of more than 120 libraries and archives at major public and private universities, federal government agencies, and large public institutions in

CITRIS Tech for Social Good program invites student proposals

The Tech for Social Good program provides up to $5,000 in funding for research projects and up to $1,000 for

Campus library voted into prestigious association

We are thrilled to announce that our campus was officially invited to join the prestigious Association of Research Libraries (ARL), with our membership effective January 1, 2022.

Reimagining our economy for the benefit of all

Faculty members at UC Santa Cruz and the University of Southern California released a new book that offers a road map and conceptual framework for equity-driven economic reform

College Scholars Program exposes students to research opportunities

Through the College Scholars Program, students are able to explore the full potential of the university setting, beyond the coursework that might be required in their respective disciplines.

Search begins for vice chancellor for Information Technology

I am pleased to announce the kickoff of the leadership recruitment for the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology (VCIT).

Ensuring student success in both the short and long term

This wide-ranging effort will increase financial support for our undergraduate and graduate students, and advance their access to the guidance and experiences fundamental to their education and ultimately future success.

Drive safely with increased pedestrian activity at campus entrances on Wednesday, Thursday

UC-AFT, the labor union that represents lecturers, has announced it will hold systemwide informational pickets on Wednesday and Thursday, October 13-14.

October 20th Fall Forum with Chancellor Larive

The Staff Advisory Board seeks to continue supporting staff by amplifying your voices to campus leadership.

Slug Strong update: Low rate of campus COVID cases; UC to again require flu vaccines

We hope everyone has hit their stride as we enter the third full week of instruction. Our combination of having a highly vaccinated campus community, requiring face coverings indoors, and regular asymptomatic testing program continues to be effective. 

Winter Curtailment 2021-2022

Our 2021-22 winter curtailment will run from Thursday, December 23 through Friday, December 31, 2021. Work is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Test of community emergency alert system set for Oct. 21

Santa Cruz County emergency response officials are planning a test of the county’s alert and warning system Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.

AAUW awards fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded 2021-22 American Fellowships to three scholars at UC Santa Cruz who will pursue academic work and lead innovative community

Arts convocation spotlights excellence and inclusion

Renowned conductor Kent Nagano was honored with the inaugural Distinguished Banana Slug Arts Award by the new Arts Dean Celine Shimizu. Shimizu spoke to the power of

Astrophysicists explain the origin of unusually heavy neutron star binaries

Simulations of supernova explosions of massive stars paired with neutron stars can explain puzzling results from gravitational wave

UC Santa Cruz locations not included in potential PG&E power outages

Pacific Gas and Electric has announced that it may turn off power to some parts of California on Monday to reduce the risk of power lines sparking a wildfire.

Campus review of major revisions to the policy on events providing alcoholic beverages

The campus welcomes comments on the proposed major revisions to the campus-specific policy on university events that provide alcoholic beverages.

Scientists assemble a biological clock in a test tube to study how it works

The reconstituted biological clock maintains daily cycles for days on end, allowing researchers to study the interactions of its component

Mellon Foundation award to support UC Santa Cruz’s ‘Visualizing Abolition’ initiative

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a $1,977,000 grant to support 'Visualizing Abolition,' the nation’s most ambitious and sustained art and prison abolition

Help conserve water with Santa Cruz in extreme drought

Through at least October, UCSC is required to reduce its water consumption by 9%. We need all members of the campus community to do their part in helping us reach this goal.

Slug Strong update: Campus community encouraged to get flu shot

We continue to be so proud of our Banana Slug community. We know there was a lot to do and learn as we resumed in-person activities this fall. It’s gone incredibly well.

Resources for dealing with unplanned disruptions to instruction

In case there are disruptions to your planned teaching activities, the Teaching During Unplanned Events webpage has been revamped to provide centralized resources and guidance, which may be useful for you if you need to quickly shift modalities for delivering your classes.

Rising together for justice and racial equity

Five influential UCSC alumni join Rise Together, a socially conscious local philanthropic

Professor’s TED talk on body ideals warns against ‘conflation of appearance with health’

UC Santa Cruz professor and medical anthropologist Nancy Chen gave a popular TED Salon talk that has been viewed more than 780,000 times online.

Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report

The University of California, Santa Cruz, is committed to assisting all members of the community in providing for their safety and security.