UC retirees embrace an active, engaged lifestyle

Climate change poses threat to ‘tuna dependent’ Pacific Islands economies

Shifting distributions of key tuna species could have serious economic impacts for island nations in the Western and Central Pacific, according to a new paper coauthored by Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Katherine Seto.

Oakes Founding Provost J. Herman Blake receives lifetime achievement award

Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Founding Provost of Oakes College J. Herman Blake is being recognized by the American Sociology Association for his distinguished career spent advancing access and equity in education.

McLaughlin Dr. Road Closure & Transit Impacts

Construction crews are nearing completion on McLaughlin Drive resurfacing between the McLaughlin Drive / Heller Drive intersection to the bridge east of Science Hill, with an expected completion date of Friday, August 6th.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy exception process

The UC Office of the President released the final COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Dickens Universe celebrates 40th anniversary with ‘A Christmas Carol’

This summer, the Dickens Project at UC Santa Cruz—the largest multi-campus consortium on Victorian studies in the world—will present the 40th year of the Dickens Universe, a week of intense study and festivities.

On-campus housing for sophomores, vaccination policy finalized, standing with DACA and UnDACAmented students and families

This fall, we will have a mix of in-person and remote students, so programs needed to make difficult choices about how best to offer their courses to ensure access in different modes.

FAQs posted about Anthem-Dignity Health contract termination

We write as a follow up to the July 20, 2021 message from CP/EVC Lori Kletzer and VC Sarah Latham, regarding the Anthem-Dignity Health contract termination effective July 15, 2021.

Racial and colonial histories offer insights on refugee crisis in ‘The Black Mediterranean’

Assistant Professor of Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Camilla Hawthorne coedited a first-of-its-kind new book called "The Black Mediterranean," which examines the African diaspora within the region.

Major Revisions to the Policy on IT Recovery

The University of California Office of the President has issued major revisions to the IS-12 IT Recovery following a system-wide review.

UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees has elected Richard Moss to serve as chair, and Linda Peterson as vice chair; Paul Simpson elected as new member

The UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees has elected Richard Moss to serve as chair, Linda Peterson to serve as vice chair, Kamil Hasan to serve as immediate past chair, and re-elected Paul Hall to serve as parliamentarian.

Revised mask recommendations from Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has joined other Bay Area counties in adjusting the guidance for wearing face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Susana Ruiz awarded ACLS digital grant to develop VR documentary of 2011 Egyptian Uprising

UC Santa Cruz assistant film and digital media professor Susana Ruiz has received a 2021 Digital Extension Grant of $150,000 from The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) for her project, Arab Data Bodies: Social Media in Mixed Reality.

Blazing a Slug trail to the Olympics

Rhythmic gymnast Izzy Connor will be the first UC Santa Cruz student to compete in the Olympics—the result of years of both personal struggle and success.

UC PPO plans impacted by Anthem Blue Cross-Dignity Health contract termination Inbox

UC Santa Cruz learned on Friday that the contract between Anthem Blue Cross, the insurance carrier of UC's commercial PPO plans (non-Medicare plans), and Dignity Health, a health care provider which includes Dominican Hospital-Santa Cruz, ended, effective July 15.

UC Santa Cruz admits fall class that reflects excellence, diversity

UC Santa Cruz anticipates welcoming about 6,100 new Banana Slugs this fall, concluding an admissions cycle that began with record applications and has yielded a new cohort that reflects the campus commitment to excellence, equity, and opportunity.

History professor wins prize for article on post-Civil War incarceration of African American children

Associate professor of history Catherine Jones has been honored with the 2021 Richards Prize for the best article published in The Journal of the Civil War Era in 2020. The journal explores how knowledge of the Civil War era informs our understanding of 21st-century politics and society.

Systemwide COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

This new policy is intended to support the health and well-being of our university community including students, trainees, faculty, staff and all others who work, live or learn in any of our locations or participate in person in our programs.

Statistical analysis quantifies how chemistry undergraduates benefit from graduate student diversity

A study of chemistry lab courses at UC Santa Cruz suggests that diversity among graduate student teaching assistants may be among the most essential factors in retaining underrepresented minority undergraduates in STEM courses.

Judith Estrada named interim Chief Diversity Officer

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Judith Estrada has agreed to serve as our interim Chief Diversity Officer while also taking on a new role as Executive Director of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

‘Precarity & Belonging’ captures insights from global discussion of citizenship, migration, socioeconomic mobility

A new book from an interdisciplinary group of UC Santa Cruz scholars culminates more than five years of collaborative research and discussion that positioned the university as a convener of global thought leaders.

Seymour Center welcomes new executive director

After an extensive search, the UC Santa Cruz Seymour Marine Discovery Center has chosen Jonathan Andres Hicken to be its new executive director.

Library’s new Community Archiving Program to broaden scope of Regional History Project

The University Library has announced the establishment of a new Community Archiving Program that will build on the foundation of its decades-old Regional History Project. 

Unusual currents explain mysterious red crab strandings

New findings suggest that abnormal ocean currents cause the occasional appearance of pelagic red crabs outside their native range.

Quantitative ecologist Kai Zhu wins NSF funding for climate change research and education

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Kai Zhu won an NSF CAREER award to support research and education focused on the interconnections between climate change and plant phenology.

New research on aquaculture feed will test alternative ingredients to help minimize water pollution

A new grant will support UC Santa Cruz’s ecological aquaculture lab in their efforts to increase the variety and quality of low-polluting aquaculture feed options available to fish farmers.

Traffic delays along McLaughlin Drive

Construction crews will begin road maintenance work Monday, July 5, on McLaughlin Drive between the McLaughlin Drive / Heller Drive intersection to the bridge east of Science Hill, with an expected completion date of Friday, August 6.

Clarification on COVID-19 protocol changes for campus employees, spaces and program

In response to our campus operational update last week, we have received questions about the actions units can take regarding face covering requirements and vaccine verification. We are utilizing a consistent approach across campus, and units, unless required to do so because of state, county or other guidelines impacting their particular operation, should not add or implement department specific rules or protocols. As campus-wide protocols change, we will update you.

Vice Chancellor for Research Scott Brandt returning to the faculty

We write to share news that Vice Chancellor for Research Scott Brandt has announced he will return to the faculty, effective July 16.

Jonathan Fortney garners Simons Investigator in Astrophysics award

The $500,000 award from the Simons Foundation will support Fortney’s research on planetary atmospheres.

Martian south polar cap composition focus of new study

A team of scientists have determined that Mars’ south polar ice sheet may be made of clays, metal-bearing minerals, or saline ice.

Graduate student organizing community workshops on the queer Black experience

Mia Boykin is expanding her Black.Queer.Alive. project to include four community workshops that will explore fitness, creativity, politics and entrepreneurship.

COVID-19 protocol changes for campus employees, spaces and program

As state and other agency COVID-19 restrictions have evolved, we have adjusted several campus protocols.

Cosmic dawn occurred 250 to 350 million years after Big Bang

Cosmic dawn, when stars formed for the first time, occurred 250 million to 350 million years after the beginning of the universe, according to a new study.

News about Professor of History Maya Peterson

We write today with heartbreaking news. Maya K. Peterson, associate professor of history known by so many in our campus community, died in childbirth on June 16.

Tracking data show how the quiet of pandemic-era lockdowns allowed pumas to venture closer to urban areas

During regional shelter-in-place orders, declining levels of human mobility emboldened local pumas to use habitats they would normally avoid out of fear of humans.

Nathaniel Deutsch’s ‘A Fortress in Brooklyn’ reveals provocative counter-history of American Jewry

A new book by UC Santa Cruz history professor Nathaniel Deutsch details how a group of determined Holocaust survivors survived in one of the roughest parts of New York City—reshaping the urban landscape of postwar Brooklyn.

Graduate student explores gay literature's contributions to social movements, canon

Eric Sneathen explores how gay men, beginning in the 1960s, formed a literary community, wrote or curated poems and other literary works about their experiences, and how this community informed the more recent social movements around gay identity.

New study shows how loss of drought-sensitive species could affect health of California grasslands

At a grassland site near San Jose, scientists studied experimental research plots to determine what might happen if the plants that ecologists expect to be hit hardest by drought actually disappeared.

Searching for answers in the cosmos

Alumna Olivia Ross, winner of this year's prestigious Steck Award, took on the daunting quest of trying to find primordial black holes. Her faculty mentor calls this young, tireless scientist a "one-in-a-generation gem."

Work in social justice pushes recent grad toward career in medicine

Isabella Bullock realized she wanted to be a physician assistant after UC Santa Cruz courses began to reveal how socioeconomic status and race factor into one’s health.

President Drake announces Juneteenth a new UC holiday

Yesterday President Biden declared a federal holiday for Juneteenth, the day that celebrates and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This is an historic moment for our nation — 156 years in the making.

Hydrologist Margaret Zimmer wins NSF CAREER Award

Margaret Zimmer, assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences, has received an award from the National Science Foundation to support her research on the role of Earth’s subsurface in regulating the water cycle.

Dialogues, collaborations, and the success of 'slow science'

With funding from the Henry Luce Foundation, the new Southeast Asian Coastal Interactions Initiative takes a methodical approach to worldwide social and environmental challenges

Office of Research appoints new director of Research Development

It is my pleasure to let you know that we have completed our recent recruitment for the Director of Research Development (RD) and Dr. Heather Bell has accepted the position. Heather has been filling the role of Interim Director since February 2021 and has made significant contributions to both the strength of the RD team and its service to the campus community.

Office of the President finalizing COVID-19 vaccine policy

The University of California Office of the President has notified campus leaders that it is finalizing a policy to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all faculty, staff, academic appointees, and students accessing facilities at any UC campus this fall.

Updated operational considerations for post-June 15 operations

On June 15 use of the color tiered system that has framed our state’s COVID-19 response and recovery will cease. Guidelines will move away from industry-based requirements to a general set of protocols.

Pulitzer Prize-winning UCSC alumnus Jeffrey Stewart gives keynote address at Humanities Spring Awards

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Jeffrey Stewart (Cowell College ’71, philosophy) delivered the keynote address at the annual event celebrating the achievements of students, faculty, and alumni of the Humanities Division.

UC Santa Cruz names Peter F. Biehl as new vice provost, dean of the Graduate Division

UC Santa Cruz has appointed Peter F. Biehl, professor of anthropology at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY), as vice provost and dean of the Graduate Division.

Peter F. Biehl Named Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peter F. Biehl as vice provost and dean of the Division of Graduate Studies. Biehl will take up the post on July 1.

Perseverance and the pursuit of excellence

Today marks the final day of the spring quarter, and in the coming days and weeks, our faculty, staff and students will begin a well-deserved slide into summer, hopefully having an opportunity to recharge after an academic year like none other.

Claire Max to retire as director of UC Observatories

Claire Max, director of the University of California Observatories (UCO) and the Bachmann professor of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, will retire at the end of June.

Doctoral student wins Ford Foundation fellowship for work on gender, race, and policing

Uriel Serrano recently won a Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship to support his research on how gender ideologies are formed in relation to carceral violence.

Research partnership will highlight STEM learning in local community garden

A grant from the Spencer Foundation will help UC Santa Cruz researchers document the many types of STEM learning taking place in a Latinx immigrant-led community garden in Watsonville.

First days of instruction, fall '21

With the recent University of California announcement of the proposed vaccine mandate for students, staff, faculty and academic appointees, the widespread availability of vaccines, and steadily improving local conditions, we have made the decision to begin in-person instruction at the start of the fall quarter.

Adrian Brasoveanu appointed associate campus provost

In this half-time role, Adrian will work with campus leadership on critical projects including institutional research and assessment, interdisciplinary research initiatives, space and resource management, strategic enrollment planning, and other campus initiatives.

Axions could be the fossil of the universe researchers have been waiting for

A new study suggests finding the hypothetical particles known as axions could mean finding out for the first time what happened in the universe a second after the Big Bang.

Snowflake morays can feed on land, swallow prey without water

While most fish need water to feed, the unique anatomy of moray eels gives snowflake morays the ability to grab and swallow prey on land.

Recipients of 2021 Excellence in Teaching Awards announced

The Committee on Teaching (COT) is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of this prestigious campus-wide award from all five divisions.

Campus update: Ready, set, commencement

This entire academic year has been a unique experience. I am both grateful for and proud of the resilience and strength our community has displayed over the past year.

Feminist studies Ph.D. student receives Institute for Citizens & Scholars fellowship

Claire Urbanski, a Ph.D. candidate in feminist studies, has been named a Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellow by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars (formerly the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation).

Social Sciences Division celebrates outstanding students

The Social Sciences Division is recognizing 21 students for excellence in scholarship and research.

Revised approval process for essential research travel

We write today to provide an update on research-related travel. We understand that some graduate students and employees of UC Santa Cruz may need to travel to enable critical research activities.

Celebrating Pride Month

With the start of June, which is Pride Month, we reaffirm our support of UC Santa Cruz’s LGBTQIA+ community, and the push to build an inclusive, and more equitable world, where all are respected, treated equally, and provided equal opportunities regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Draft Presidential Campus Safety Plan open for public comment

Attached for your review and comment is a draft Presidential Campus Safety Plan that is intended to lay a foundation for transforming UC’s culture, policies, and practices to achieve a vision of safety in which all members of the community feel equally welcomed, respected, and protected from harm.

Professor Karen Holl wins MacArthur Foundation endowed chair to support work on natural climate solutions

Environmental Studies Professor Karen Holl has been awarded the MacArthur Foundation Chair at UC Santa Cruz for her work to increase the effectiveness of forest restoration efforts in combating climate change.

Policy-covered employee salary increase for 2021-22; questions and criteria

All eligible policy-covered staff will be receiving a 3% across the board, general salary increase in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Exhibition explores the art of creating comfort in a year of unexpected hardship and isolation

Twelve of UCSC's most promising artists will have their work on display in the 35th annual Irwin Scholarship exhibition, beginning June 3, at The Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery.

Clinic director had to adapt to COVID challenges

Larissa Mangas joined UC Santa Cruz in March 2020 as the clinic director for the student health center. Two days later after she started, the campus moved to remote operations because of COVID-19.

Instances of hate speech and expression in student spaces

All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold our Principles of Community whenever they engage in speech and expression.

Visualizing global representation for Indigenous nations

A new book by Professor of Sociology and Legal Studies Hiroshi Fukurai shows how Indigenous “original nations” around the world are fighting for sovereignty and the ecological preservation of their ancestral homelands.

Somalia’s fight for God-given rights

The latest book from Politics and Legal Studies Professor Mark Fathi Massoud challenges Western notions of Islam and secular law-making by revealing how Somali Muslims have embraced Sharia as a force for progress and liberation.

Campuswide moment of silence at 10 a.m. to honor the life of George Floyd

Our thoughts today are with every person impacted by abuses of power, police violence and anti-Black racism.

Growing heritage and healing through traditional Asian vegetables

Faculty, staff, and alumni are drawing upon and strengthening their cultural heritage and connection to Asian foodways to cultivate traditional vegetables.

IDEA Hub finalists to pitch projects in June 2 showcase

IDEA Hub finalists will pitch their projects in a June 2 showcase.

‘We Are What We Eat’: Alice Waters to celebrate new book in live event with Michael Pollan 

Renowned chef and food activist Alice Waters will be in conversation with bestselling author Michael Pollan at a live virtual event presented by Bookshop Santa Cruz and Extended Session, and co-sponsored by UCSC’s Humanities Institute. 

Volunteers needed for 2021 Slug Crossing

We’re in need of volunteers to help make sure everything runs smoothly before, during, and after our first ever Slug Crossing.

Clinic director puts off retirement to help in COVID response

Debbi Saint John played a critical role in helping to guide the campus's COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

Nominations for UC Santa Cruz's Outstanding Staff Award

Please help us honor UC Santa Cruz's outstanding staff and make your nomination for the Outstanding Staff Award today.

New opportunity for professional development

The SAB is proud to be rolling out a new opportunity to help our staff participate in professional development.

Navigating the post-June 15 employee repopulation to on-site work and additional guidance on telecommuting

The pandemic has provided us an opportunity to implement flexible arrangements when they are productive and can meet the mission of the campus.

UC collaboration launches first online course in the Punjabi language

The first online Punjabi language course for University of California students that launched earlier this year is a collaboration of several UC campuses, centered on UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis.

A shot in the arm

Six UC Santa Cruz community members tell the tale of getting the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021.

Study shows which North American mammals live most successfully alongside people

Researchers analyzed camera trap data from across the continent to better understand how particular species of mammals respond to different types of human disturbance.

Kicking off search for Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Success

We are pleased to announce the kickoff of the leadership recruitment for the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Success.

UC Santa Cruz names Celine Parreñas Shimizu new dean of Arts Division

UC Santa Cruz has appointed award-winning filmmaker and film scholar Celine Parreñas Shimizu as dean of the Arts Division, effective July 1.

Campuswide listening session about on-campus child care

The Student Housing West project, approved in March by the UC Board of Regents, includes a child care center in which we intend to offer expanded child care services to meet the growing and evolving needs of our community of student and employee parents.

Climate change sends tropical species racing to higher elevations while temperate counterparts lag behind

A new paper shows that, in mountain habitats, species' responses to rising temperatures vary by latitude, but researchers fear there may be no clear winners among these strategies.

Staff member steps forward to support contact tracing

As Cindy Delgado read about contact tracing and how it would be the key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 cases, she knew it was something she wanted to do to help.

Student-led mentorship program offers holistic support

The Kuya-Ate Mentorship Program is a student-initiated retention project targeted to, but not limited to, Pilipino/x students at UC Santa Cruz. In addition to providing mentorship opportunities, KAMP also offers academic and social and cultural support.

CDC mask guidance and applicability to campus

This week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance on face coverings.

Policy-covered employees and staff, and academic employees to receive salary increase for 2021-22

We are pleased to share that University of California President Michael Drake alerted all campuses earlier today that the Office of the President has decided to proceed with a salary increase of 3 percent for all policy-covered staff and academic employees for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Libraries reopening, county COVID restrictions easing, your Lucky Daye

To keep us headed in the right direction, please keep wearing face coverings in public when you’re in close proximity to strangers, practice physical distancing, and strongly consider getting vaccinated. Making progress on the road to recovery requires a community effort.

Alumna Reyna Grande wins Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Literature & Advocacy

UC Santa Cruz alumna Reyna Grande (Kresge '99, B.A. creative writing, film & video) has received a 2021 Latino Spirit Award from the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

Virtual reality warps your sense of time

Psychology research demonstrates the unique "time compression" effect of virtual reality.

Campus announces 2021 Accessibility Champions

The Accessibility Champions award program was launched in 2021 to acknowledge faculty who go the extra mile to create inclusive and welcoming learning environments.

Research video competes in National Science Foundation STEM education showcase

A team of UC Santa Cruz faculty and doctoral students led by Distinguished Professor of Psychology Barbara Rogoff submitted a three-minute research video for the National Science Foundation’s 2021 STEM For All Video Showcase.

Bearing witness to COVID at UC Santa Cruz

Stories of resilience and loss are preserved in The Empty Year: An Oral History of the Pandemic(s) of 2020 at UC Santa Cruz, an immersive project that includes a 540-page published book

Complete the Annual Transportation Survey Today

Whether you plan to return to campus in the near future or you're continuing to work or learn remotely, TAPS needs your help.

The SAB Election Results are in

Thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s general membership elections for the Staff Advisory Board, whether by running for a seat or voting in the election. We’re pleased to announce the results of the voting.

The University Library has set July 1, 2021 for building reopening and the resumption of on-site services and collections access

The McHenry Library and Science & Engineering Library buildings will reopen for print collections access and on-site services beginning July 1, 2021 as part of the campus reopening.

Creating a soundtrack and adding a heartbeat to the struggle for prison abolition

UCSC’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences will present ‘Music for Abolition'--an artist panel featuring three-time Grammy-award winning musician Terri Lyne Carrington with a dozen prominent guest musicians.

UCSC achieves fair-trade status through the work of students

UC Santa Cruz passed a fair trade resolution that reflects its commitment to join the efforts of the Fair Trade Colleges & Universities, a division of Fair Trade Campaigns.

Strauss Foundation award recognizes student’s work with families affected by incarceration

Legal studies undergraduate Matt Sioson recently won $15,000 in funding from the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation.

Emergency team shows flexibility in dynamic year

From deploying personal protective gear to managing a wildfire response, the staff in the Office of Emergency Services had to be flexible and focused.

Preserving the legacy of Watsonville’s first Filipino immigrants

In partnership with the university, the community-led Tobera Project will develop an oral history archive and digital exhibition to be housed at McHenry Library.

Interim Conflict of Interest Related to Consensual Relationships

In October of last year, the Office of Equity and Equal Protection issued a new policy on conflicts of interest related to consensual relationships under a 6-month interim status.

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session Remote

UC Santa Cruz Summer Session enrollment is underway. Anyone can take a wide range of remote courses offered across multiple departments.

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.

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.

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 U.S. national security policy.

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 of their outstanding achievements in scholarship and teaching.

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 70 live events from April 19–25.

Physical and Biological Sciences Division honors three prominent alumni

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

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 future.

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 impact on the world in the Princeton Review’s latest college rankings.

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 among the newly elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

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 Future” Nobel Prize Summit next week.

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 success.

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 Santa Cruz—to feminism, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.

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 retiring this year after three decades at the campus. 

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.

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.

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 Pelosi.

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 event will celebrate the 2020 and 2021 honorees.

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 to receive Guggenheim Fellowships.

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 interpretation of dreams. These sessions are among the highlights of UC Santa Cruz's virtual Alumni Week 2021.

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 U.S. tuna fisheries.

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 career

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 on April 19.

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 deep commitment to environmental and social justice.

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 and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED).

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 globe.

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 time at UC Santa Cruz changed their lives in permanent ways.

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 deer.

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 leading experts and advocates of reparations.

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 Program.

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.

Seymour Center plans for physical reopening as virtual programs continue to expand their reach

Seymour Center Outdoors!, a new in-person outdoor education program, is scheduled to open to the general public on April 24.

Community alert - post-incident advisory

At 2:41 p.m. Tuesday, the UC Santa Cruz Police Department received a request for assistance from the City of Santa Cruz Police Department to block traffic to support its response to a person armed with a firearm in the area of Laurel Drive and California Street in their jurisdiction.

Marking fifth year, Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning plays vital role in campus mission

The center will celebrate its fifth anniversary April 14 with a convocation featuring Estela Bensimon, professor of higher education at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education and director of the Center for Urban Education, which she founded in 1999.

Spring quarter transportation options

Spring has sprung, Slugs, and TAPS is here to help you get where you need to go this quarter.

Opening up offices and lab/studio spaces for research purposes

Effective immediately, we are shifting from a by-approval-only process for the use of offices and labs/studios for research purposes to an open-by-default model for research purposes, with guidelines for how to continue to prioritize health and well-being in these spaces.

Forthcoming survey on UC Santa Cruz public safety and policing

Later this week we will send a survey to all in our campus community to gather perspectives about campus safety and the role of campus police.

Teens describe their gender and sexuality in diverse new ways, but some are being left behind

Psychology Professor Phil Hammack’s latest research shows how regional differences and other social factors can either hinder or support expression of diversity in sexual and gender identity among teens and young adults.

Health center pivots to provide services through pandemic

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UC Santa Cruz Student Health Center had to quickly change everything it was doing while remaining open for students.

Campus launches credit-bearing summer orientation

The Slug Orientation courses will orient students to our campus and to university life, while promoting community-building and effective habits of mind for academic success.

Staff member guides students on path to higher education

Osiris Ortiz has spent nearly two decades helping the regions high school students pursue four-year degrees through her work at the Educational Partnership Center.

UC Santa Cruz faculty recognized for excellence in ecology

The Ecological Society of America announced its 2021 Fellow and Early Career Fellow awards, and UC Santa Cruz’s faculty were the most decorated of any university on this year’s list.

UCSC ecologist Erika Zavaleta appointed to California Fish and Game Commission

Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Erika Zavaleta, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, to the California Fish and Game Commission.

Three decades of connections, encouragement, and programs

UCSC's African American Resource and Cultural Center, this year celebrating its 30th anniversary, has created meaningful change for students of color and become a key part of the university community.

Finalists for Dean of Graduate Studies making virtual campus visits

Starting Thursday, April 1, five finalists for the position of Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies will be visiting our campus virtually.

'Another glass ceiling shattered'

UC Santa Cruz student Gina Schneider became a part of history as one of the first women in the U.S. to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Update on fall quarter instructional planning

We write today to provide an update on our instructional planning for the fall 2021 quarter.

Founding UC Santa Cruz professor and revered literary and cultural critic Harry Berger Jr. dies at 96

Harry Berger Jr., professor emeritus of literature and art history at UC Santa Cruz, died on March 12, 2021, at age 96. An internationally recognized scholar and founding UCSC faculty member, Berger was known for a wide-ranging and interdisciplinary approach that goes far beyond traditional academic boundaries. 

Student Health Services Closed Dates during Spring Break 2021

Student Health Services—Student Health Center (SHC), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Outreach & Promotion (SHOP) and Campus Advocacy Resources & Education (CARE) will be closed for mandatory staff trainings on the following dates/times during Spring Break week.

UC Santa Cruz joins new consortium to ensure future of SlaveVoyages database

UC Santa Cruz has joined a newly formed consortium of institutions to ensure the preservation, stability, and future development of what has become the single most widely used online resource for anyone interested in slavery across the Atlantic world. 

UCSC professor contributes to new study showing how parts of the US will ‘tropicalize’ as climate changes

Environmental Studies Professor Michael Loik is a coauthor on a new paper describing how warming winters are allowing some tropical plants and animals to replace temperate communities in southern portions of the country.

New analysis shows potential for ‘solar canals’ in California

UC Santa Cruz researchers and their partners published a new study that suggests covering California’s water delivery canals with solar panels could be an economically viable means of advancing renewable energy and water conservation.

UC Regents approve UC Santa Cruz plan to increase student housing, expand child care

Recognizing the critical role housing plays in supporting student success, the University of California Board of Regents reapproved a project that will significantly increase the number of current UC Santa Cruz students who are able to live on campus.

Regents approve more housing for our students, child care for employees

The UC Board of Regents voted earlier today in support of a vitally important on-campus student-housing and child-care project.

Statement against Anti-Asian racism and violence

This tragedy highlights an escalating pattern of anti-Asian hate crimes that we have seen in our region and country over the past year.

Campus holds first Sexual Violence Sexual Harassment Research Symposium

UC Santa Cruz will hold its first-ever research symposium — and a first for a UC campus — highlighting research by campus scholars on issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment Friday, April 2.

UC reaches open access agreement with Elsevier

After more than two years of negotiations, this morning the University of California announced a transformative open access agreement with Elsevier, the world’s largest academic publisher.

UC Santa Cruz expands, enhances Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program

UC Santa Cruz this fall will welcome a new cohort of postdoctoral scholars under an expanded and enhanced Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program.

Staff Advisory Board Nomination period is now open

Are you interested in serving our campus and giving back to your fellow staff members? Consider joining the Staff Advisory Board!

Good luck on finals and stay connected through Spring Break

As we near the end of the winter quarter, I am reaching out to wish you all the best with final exams, and to remind you that the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) continues to provide support throughout your college journey, whether it be in person or remotely.

UC systemwide review of revisions to the University Police Policies and Administrative Procedures (Gold Book)

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on proposed changes to the Universitywide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures, which are applicable to UC Peace Officers.

Systemwide review of revised policy on the classification of gifts and sponsored awards

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Classification of Gifts and Sponsored Awards.

'Staycation,' all I ever wanted

With travel restricted because of COVID-19, UC Santa Cruz aims to keep on-campus students entertained with a spring break 'staycation' featuring themed dining nights, scavenger hunts, kayak tours, and more during the week of March 20–27.

COVID-19 campus update as Santa Cruz county moves to red tier and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) update guidance for fully vaccinated individuals

I write to provide several updates on campus planning and changes that are unfolding in the COVID-19 pandemic landscape.

One year since our world changed

We would like to mark this anniversary with that gratitude and with hope for a future that looks very different from our past

How to live like Shakespeare

A new series of conversations about Shakespeare that explore different aspects of human experience and the human condition kicks off April 5, co-hosted by Sean Keilen, director of UCSC's Shakespeare Workshop, and Julia Lupton, co-director of the New Swan Shakespeare Center at UC Irvine.

Celestial heights and oceanic depths

Two of UC Santa Cruz’s most prominent trailblazers in science, astronomer Sandra Faber and alumna and former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan, spoke of risks, discoveries, and sexism in candid “fireside chat” during a Science and Engineering Library floor-naming event.

Disrupting harmful food systems to prevent future pandemics

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Maywa Montenegro de Wit is exploring how lessons from the abolition movement could help agroecology combat the agro-industrial complex to prevent future pandemics.

Community Alert - Seeking assistance with burglaries, thefts

The UC Santa Cruz Police Department is seeking the community’s help in investigating a series of crimes that began March 4, 2021.

As pandemic hit, conferences manager pivoted to health care

Michael Luttrell now oversees a staff of 62 students, who have been trained to help facilitate testing of asymptomatic students.

Update on COVID-19 vaccination distribution

The COVID-19 vaccination distribution model continues to shift throughout the state as Blue Shield implements the new statewide framework

Second systemwide review of revised policy on UC Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation.

Encouraging Students to Share their Experiences through SETS

The Committee on Teaching (COT) has teamed up with representatives from the Student Union, Online Education, and CITL to encourage students to share their experience in the classroom by filling out the Student Experience of Teaching Surveys (SETS) at the end of each quarter.

Announcing New Undocumented Student Support Initiative

I am pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative, an 18-month campus program to enhance structural supports for undocumented students to thrive on campus and beyond, and to strengthen relationships between undocumented students, staff, and faculty at UC Santa Cruz.

Focused on student success and equity, UC Santa Cruz seeks reapproval to build more housing and child-care facilities

In an effort to provide students with more housing security amid an unrelenting housing crisis, UC Santa Cruz will seek reapproval for a project that will significantly increase the number of current students who are able to live on campus.

More housing for our students, child-care for employees

Later this month, I will seek reapproval from the Board of Regents for a vitally important campus housing and child-care project. Student Housing West, with more than 3,000 beds, a new complex for students with families, and a child-care facility that will be open to all employees, is the largest stand-alone housing project our campus has ever proposed, and would provide more desperately needed on-campus housing for our students.

Slugs roll up their sleeves to help make campus a COVID-19 success story

Low positivity rates, zero on-campus transmission, and fast testing turnaround times have made UC Santa Cruz a leader in efficient coronavirus response compared to its university counterparts.

UCSC leads multicampus initiative on coastal resilience and climate adaptation

A UC-funded initiative will bring together researchers at the Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and San Diego campuses to address pressing issues for California’s coastal communities.

Girl activists are more visible than ever. Is this progress?

In the past decade, there’s been an explosion in media coverage of girl activists. Professor Jessica Taft, a leading expert in youth activism, sees opportunity in this visibility, but her research has also identified many troubling trends in how girl activists are portrayed.

Diverse Voices 2021: Promoting diversity in STEM education and careers

Diverse Voices, a Baskin School of Engineering professional speaker series spotlighting industry leaders and Baskin Engineering alumni, returns April 2021 for its third season.

In Memoriam: Atharva Chinchwadkar, Oakes College

We are saddened to write to you with news of Atharva Chinchwadkar, an Oakes student, who was reported missing Sunday, February 21. It is now known that Atharva passed away in an automobile accident. Their vehicle was located February 27.

Realigning the Office of Planning and Budget with new reporting structures

Effective March 1, the Office of Planning and Budget was realigned and reporting structures changed to strengthen the effectiveness of the four units within the office and to increase transparency about campus resources. An analysis of the organizational structures of other UC campuses, consultation with Academic Senate and campus leadership, and a year of reflection and thoughtful consideration informed our thinking.

UC MBEST Speaker Series and Info Sessions

The UC MBEST Executive Committee invites you to join us for our UC Monterey Bay Education Science & Technology (UC MBEST) Speaker Series featuring leading UC-affiliated and national research park and innovation district practitioners and thought leaders.

Women's History Month a time to honor accomplishments, celebrate excellence

Women’s History Month, observed every March, recognizes, commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in U.S. history. It is the perfect month for us to host two of our scientific trailblazers: Sandra Faber, professor emerita of astronomy and astrophysics, and Kathryn D. Sullivan, a UC Santa Cruz alumna who after graduating in 1973 went on to become the first person to both orbit the planet and reach its deepest ocean point. In her case, the sky was truly not the limit.

Massive debris flow swamps Big Creek Reserve as heavy rains follow summer wildfire

Boulders the size of vehicles and decades-old redwoods were ripped from the banks of the Big Creek drainage when an atmospheric river inundated the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast in late January.

Deep Read to present Tommy Orange in conversation with literature professor Micah Perks

Award-winning novelist Tommy Orange will be featured in conversation with literature professor Micah Perks, director of UCSC’s Creative Writing Program, in a free virtual event on Wednesday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. 

Forest monitoring efforts contribute to new understanding of climate change impacts

Data collected by student interns at UC Santa Cruz’s Forest Ecology Research Plot recently contributed to a breakthrough in understanding how climate change affects forests.

Detailed update on fall planning

We write to follow up last week’s message with more details on our planning process for fall quarter instruction.

Bay Tree Bookstore undergoing refresh

The UC Santa Cruz campus community can expect to see a number of changes at the Bay Tree Bookstore over the coming months, including a broader embrace of e-commerce.

LASER talk to feature research by UCSC deans of the humanities and social sciences

The event will feature research presentations by Jasmine Alinder, Dean of the Humanities (“Representing Japanese American Incarceration”), and Katharyne Mitchell, Dean of the Social Sciences (“Sanctuary Space and Insurgent Memory”).

Bringing physical engagement into the online teaching and learning environment

A new series of videos is now available to UCSC students, faculty, and staff to help offset the increasingly sedentary lifestyle generated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Update on COVID-19 vaccination distribution

COVID-19 vaccine planning continues to be a concentrated focus for our campus. This message updates where we are with campus vaccinations and also provides the latest information we have on the rapidly changing framework and vaccine-distribution model that the state of California is implementing.

Preliminary update on fall planning

Last month the Office of the President shared a message that all UC campuses planned to return to primarily in-person instruction in the fall and that early decision-making has given us a long planning runway to prepare and incorporate feedback.

UCSC experts in human-computer interaction featured at Women in Tech Symposium

Leila Takayama will be a keynote speaker and Katherine Isbister will lead a panel on human-computer interaction and games at the annual event on March 12, 2021.

Reserve study space in Science & Engineering Library

Beginning Feb. 16, 2021, the University Library will offer currently registered students who live on or off campus reservable individual quiet study spaces with access to power/wifi in the Science & Engineering Library.

Annual Jewish Studies Diller Lecture to feature award-winning author Sarah Stein

This year’s Helen Diller Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies will feature guest author and scholar Sarah Abrevaya Stein—in conversation with UCSC’s Neufeld-Levin Chair of Holocaust Studies, Alma Heckman—on Wednesday, February 17, at 5 p.m.

Listening and bringing change

Aaron Jones, interim Educational Opportunity Programs director, founded the orientation program Black Academy, which has dramatically increased African Black Caribbean students' retention rate at UCSC.

What Hollywood gets wrong (and right!) about protecting the Earth from asteroids

Meet alumna Kirsten Howley, the real-life astrophysicist working to prevent 'Armageddon'.

Genentech Foundation grants support UCSC STEM diversity programs

Three academic support and mentoring programs at UC Santa Cruz have received funding from Genentech’s 2020 Diverse Future of STEM Fund.

Carla Morrison, Irene Diaz to perform live on Feb. 19

The Quarry Amphitheater and Womxn’s Center are pleased to invite you to the Winter Live! from the (virtual) Quarry live stream concert on Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 pm.

Webinar for students to focus on off-campus housing

The webinar is filled with helpful resources, information about the housing process and connections with school and city officials.

Troupe dynamic

UC Santa Cruz's African American Theater Arts Troupe, which is celebrating its 30-year anniversary, has not only staged plays but also taken up works that deal with issues of race, injustice, and discrimination; brought its performances into the community; and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.

Student Affairs and Success launches new podcast

After nearly a full year of operating remotely due to the impacts of Covid-19, it's easy to feel disconnected from our campus culture, as well as from each other.

COVID-19 information forum planned for Feb. 12

UC Santa Cruz will hold its next COVID-19 information forum from 9:30–11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 12.

Three UCSC film alumni recognized by International Documentary Association

Three alumni from UCSC’s Film and Digital Media Department received nominations for this year's prestigious International Documentary Association Awards (IDA).

Rob Fairlie testifies before Congress on inequality in pandemic economic impacts

Rob Fairlie testified before the House Committee on Small Business to share his latest research on the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including the disproportionate hardships faced by minority-owned businesses.

Robert Bocking Stevens, fifth UCSC chancellor, dies at age 87

Robert Bocking Stevens, a legal scholar in England and the United States who served as the fifth chancellor of UC Santa Cruz, died Jan. 30 in Oxford, England, at age 87.

Seawater intake replacement, bike path improvement projects win public works awards

A $1.1 million project to replace the seawater intake structure at the UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab was selected as environmental project of the year by the Monterey Bay chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Two UCSC astronomers elected Fellows of the American Astronomical Society

Astronomers Raja GuhaThakurta and Garth Illingworth were honored as 2021 AAS Fellows for their extraordinary achievement and service.

COVID-19 information forum scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12

The COVID-19 information forums provide an opportunity to give an update on campus COVID-19 recovery and resiliency efforts and address questions from our campus community.

Honoring Black excellence

Since its inception, Black History Month has been a celebration of excellence and a reclamation of a purposefully distorted and mythologized history. This month, we celebrate our community — students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends who are resurrecting the past and building a more equitable, anti-racist future together.

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 for Cultural Anthropology.

Green New Deal architect Rhiana Gunn-Wright will make a virtual campus visit

Gunn-Wright previewed some of the insights she'll share on climate policy and environmental justice during her February 10th event with the Institute for Social Transformation.

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.

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 30 years and was instrumental in the development of both the accounting path and the business management economics major.

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 resolved.

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 projects.

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 last year to defer their enrollment to fall 2021.

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 Larive.

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 of the home ranges they’re able to maintain.

A year of generosity

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

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 noise.

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 photographs.

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.

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 of UC Santa Barbara in what is defined as the Central Coast of California.

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 aquaculture facility at the UCSC Farm.

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 program that invites the campus and community to think deeply about literature, art, and the most pressing issues of the day.

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 skills.

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 society.

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 who live and/or work on campus or a UCSC facility.

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 Spanish.

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 Sciences.

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 of the Creative Writing Program, the now virtual series will run from January 14 through March 4, on Thursday nights throughout the winter quarter.

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 ways.

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 160,000 meals to local residents.

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 collaboration with campus and community members.

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.

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, 2020.

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 space.