Dear Slugs,
I am writing to invite you to a Celebration of Life in honor of fellow Banana Slug Zainab Mansoor, who was tragically killed in February. The Celebration of Life will take place 5-8 p.m. this Friday, April 12, in Namaste Lounge with the formal program beginning at 6 p.m. All current UC Santa Cruz students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend.
Until now, the university had refrained from publicly disclosing Zainab's name, respecting her family's wishes. Both they and we are now sharing her name, enabling us to unite in honoring and celebrating their daughter and our fellow campus community member.
Those who knew and loved Zainab knew her to be kind, generous, artistic and a lover of baking and baked goods (especially cookies!). She was also committed to social justice and activism, leading her to seek out classes at UCSC that focused on social justice issues.
Zainab was a part of different communities and spaces on campus, including the economics department, the ABC-themed housing community, and College 9, John R. Lewis, and Stevenson colleges. The grief of Zainab’s death has profoundly and uniquely impacted all who shared a connection with her. The way Zainab lived her life, and the manner in which she was taken from us, have created a deep sense of sorrow for many in our community.
All UCSC students, staff, and faculty wishing to honor and celebrate her life are invited to come together Friday evening. Whether you knew Zainab well, crossed paths with her a few times, never had the chance to connect with her but have been touched by her story, or have been affected by Zainab’s death due to your experiences with gender-based violence or violence and the many forms it can take, you are invited to attend. This is a space for you to come as you are and be in community with other UCSC community members.
As we look toward Friday, I also want to acknowledge that many in our community are also grieving the loss of another student, Mitchell Babcock, who passed away unexpectedly over spring break. Grief is challenging and can compound. If you or anyone you know needs support in navigating the loss of Mitchell or Zainab (or anyone close to you), many campus resources are available. Below my signature, I’ve shared information about how to access some of the resources that may be helpful.
Some weeks have passed since February 23 when we lost Zainab but she continues to hold a special place in our hearts and across the campus community. I invite you to join your fellow students and campus community to celebrate her life Friday, April 12.
Yours in community,
Garrett Naiman
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Engagement and Dean of Students
Resources
We know news like this affects people differently, so I want to share some of the many campus resources you can contact for support:
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Telephone: (831) 459-2628
- Hours:
- Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Call the same number after hours & weekends
- CAPS website
- Campus Mobile Crisis Team
- Telephone: (831) 502-9988
- Hours
- Monday - Tuesday, 2 p.m. - 12 midnight,
- Wednesday - Sunday, 12 noon - 12 midnight
- When CMCT is not available, you can speak with Counseling and Psychological Services or UCSC Dispatch
- Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment (CARE)
- CARE provides free and confidential support to those impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment.
- Telephone: (831) 502-CARE (2273)
- Complete this form, email care@ucsc.edu, or call to request an appointment
- Care website
- Slug Support
- Slug Support helps connect students with basic needs support as well as a multitude of other campus resources
- Email: deanofstudents@ucsc.edu
- Crisis phone line (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.): (831) 459-7003
