December 2023 News Archive

Sad news about campus bus driver

We are heartbroken to share that UC Santa Cruz staff member Dan Stevenson died on Dec. 29, due to injuries he sustained when the bus he was driving crashed a few weeks ago.

UCSC joins as founding member of new Action Collaborative to improve pathways for women of color in tech education and careers

UC Santa Cruz has joined a new Action Collaborative on transforming trajectories for women of color in tech which was launched by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,

Scholar, philanthropist Peggy Downes Baskin dies at 93

Peggy Downes Baskin, educator and scholar, advocate for women’s rights, and longtime philanthropic supporter of UC Santa Cruz, died at her home surrounded by her family on Dec.

Support Second Harvest this holiday season

Second Harvest Food Bank reaches 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County each month, including UCSC students. This holiday season, consider giving your time or money to a worthy

J. Mijin Cha testifies on solutions to energy poverty before congressional subcommittee

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies J. Mijin Cha shared her insights on solutions that could make electricity more affordable for low-income families across

Nobuhiko Kobayashi elected to the 2023 National Academy of Inventors

Nobuhiko (Nobby) Kobayashi, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

Resources for academics experiencing online harassment

A new campus guide provides information on potential steps that can be taken to prepare for and mitigate targeted online harassment and resources to support those targeted and department administrators in navigating these situations safely.

W.M. Keck Observatory appoints Rich Matsuda as director

The W. M. Keck Observatory today announced the appointment of Rich Matsuda as its next director, effective January 1, 2024.

Support resources following campus bus collision

We are deeply heartbroken to share that five students and an employee were injured last night in a UC Santa Cruz bus collision near the main entrance.

Art and History of Consciousness Professor Sir Isaac Julien honored in 2023 ArtReview’s Power 100 list

ArtReview, one of the world’s leading contemporary art magazines, has named University of California, Santa Cruz Arts and Humanities Professor Sir Isaac Julien as the fifth most influential

Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy

In November 2020, UC announced a systemwide Gender Recognition and Lived Name (GRLN) Policy. The deadline for full compliance with the policy is December 31, 2023. There will be some changes to the current UCSC Preferred Name process which the campus will communicate in the new year.

California minimum wage increase effective January 1, 2024

On January 1, 2024, the California minimum wage will increase from $15.50/hour to $16.00/hour pursuant to the California Labor Code.

Non-Represented Staff Employee Equity Program 2023-24

As announced in the September 14, 2021 message from Chancellor Cynthia Larive and Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer, UC Santa Cruz is investing $5.5 million over three years (2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24) in a salary equity program for our non-represented staff.

A new 66 million-year history of carbon dioxide offers little comfort for today

A massive new review of ancient atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels and corresponding temperatures lays out a daunting picture of where the Earth’s climate may be headed.

The Alumni Association welcomes Sydne Raiyn to lead alumni diversity programs

The UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association is excited to welcome Sydne Raiyn as the incoming Associate Director of Alumni Diversity Programs. She will begin her new role at

Building community through Slug Stories at College Nine and John R Lewis

More than 200 students gathered on November 28 for Slug Stories, an annual College Nine and John R. Lewis College tradition. Live and in-person for the first time

CPEVC remarks on academic freedom at Fall Academic Senate Meeting

I write today to convey a portion of my remarks at the Fall Academic Senate meeting held on November 29, 2023. I’d like to share some thoughts about academic freedom.

SAB Staff Mentorship Program: Application period now open

The application period is now open to participate in the 2023 UC Santa Cruz Staff Mentorship Program. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2024.

Cloud technologies bring organoids into undergraduate classrooms for the first time

For the first time, remote education tools have allowed undergraduate students to gain direct experience experimenting with cortical organoids grown at UC Santa Cruz.

THI Graduate Public Fellows champion the relevance of Humanities education in a changing world

An innovative Public Fellowship Program at the Humanities Institute (THI) is showing the important real-world impact of doctoral students’ humanities skills and expertise and offering exciting possibilities for

Preparing the next generation of doctors

The University of California, Santa Cruz, an institution renowned for innovation, social justice, and sustainability, announces a unique Premed Postbaccalaureate Program focused on bridging looming healthcare gaps in

Career Success collecting donations for student Career Clothing Closet

This Winter, the Career Success office plans to open a Career Clothing Closet for all UC Santa Cruz students. The UC Santa Cruz community is invited to donate to the closet.

An important message about first rain

First rain activities are unsafe and unsanctioned by the University and students should refrain from participating.

Exceptions to campus closure 2023-2024

As in the past, the UC Santa Cruz campus will close during the holiday season in an effort to conserve energy at a time when the university business is generally slow. This year the campus will be closed from Monday, December 25, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024, re-opening on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

El Centro Resource Center inspires alumna’s future career

Recent graduate Lorena Hernandez-Rivera strives to help others.

Stay connected with the Latino Alumni Network

UCSC's Latino Alumni Network (LAN) is a unique partnership of Chicanx and Latinx-identified alumni, and El Centro, the Chicanx Latinx Resource Center, which is a special support services

A road to determination

Jade Goree entered UCSC unsure of her future path—until she found a community with Black Academy and the

$50k Match for UCSC’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive

The UCSC Staff Advisory Board is excited to share with you that our UCSC community has received its largest Holiday Food & Fund Drive (HFFD) matching gift ever - a $50,000 matching gift from Tibi McCann and Eric Jensen!

Indigenous scientists awarded $9M to establish the first RADx Tribal data repository that upholds Indigenous data sovereignty

The National Institutes of Health announced funding for an Indigenous Data Repository led by Native scientists to help improve health in tribal communities and for all Indigenous

Campus Updates