The 2022-2023 academic year is officially underway and campus is teeming with life once more.
After more than two years of virtual and hybrid learning, the beginning of the fall quarter last Thursday marked the welcome return to in-person instruction at UC Santa Cruz. The energy and enthusiasm for the year ahead are evident in the many happenings already occurring across campus.
To the delight of students and staff, Cornucopia made a triumphant return to campus this year. For the first time since 2019, East Upper Field was again full of students, their organizations, and boundless opportunities for all to connect with one another and the campus community. The event–which is often one of the most anticipated and celebrated–did not disappoint. It featured 257 university departments, offices, and registered student organizations spanning various topical interests. Sponsored by the Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor’s office, The Division of Student Affairs and Success, and the Athletics and Recreation Department, Cornucopia also included dinner provided by Dining Services, live performances by nine student groups, and multiple DJ sets from UC Santa Cruz’s student-run radio station, KZSC 88.1.
Shortly after Cornucopia ended, students filled the Quarry Amphitheater for Movie Night at the Quarry. The free event was the first ever signature Welcome Week event to be hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and Success. In addition to the quintessential UCSC ambience of sitting in the quarry beneath the stars, DSAS staff served movie snacks and popcorn to all in attendance.
An estimated 1,700 students showed up to watch ‘Us’, a movie filmed at Santa Cruz’s famous beach boardwalk. As the movie started, students’ hushes of one another soon gave way to an excited buzz as they realized they had just been at the movie’s filming location the evening prior. The day before, nearly 6,500 students purchased tickets and joined in the revelry of the UCSC Boardwalk Frolic! The UCSC Boardwalk Frolic–a traditional, signature UCSC Welcome Week Event–also made its return after a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus. UCSC sophomore, Marissa, showcased her time at the event in an instagram video posted to UCSC Admissions Instagram account.
Finally, after a successful Welcome Week came to a close, attention turned to the first day of instruction on Thursday, September 22. As students and faculty made their way to classes, the Division of Student Affairs and Success brought a little more fun to kickoff the quarter. Scattered across campus–from McHenry to Science Hill to Quarry Plaza to the Humanities/Cowell/Stevenson area, DSAS Cabinet members connected with students to share snacks, swag, and snap “first day of school” photos! Students’ smiles said it all: it’s good to be back on campus, it’s great to be a Banana Slug, and it’s exciting to start a new academic year!
Pictures and video from move-in, welcome week, and the first day of school
