Dear Slugs | Dean of Students Newsletter | June 2025

Dear Slugs, 

As you move through the final week of classes for spring quarter and the academic year, I wanted to wish you good luck and send positive energy heading into finals. I am in awe of all you balance as college students who navigate their academics, personal lives and all that is happening in the world around you. 

To those who will be returning to UCSC next year: I hope you finish the quarter strong and are able to spend the summer in ways that are meaningful to you–whether that means being productive, getting some rest, or both. See you all in the fall! 

To everyone who is graduating: congratulations! I hope you get to take a deep breath at the end of the quarter and have a chance to reflect on what an amazing accomplishment it is to earn a degree from UC Santa Cruz. Whatever comes next in your professional and personal journeys, I wish you fulfillment, growth, and success. 

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge this year’s campus elections. I was really excited to see the voting percentages, the highest turnout in many years. You can access the election results by visiting elections.ucsc.edu. Whether you ran for office, authored a ballot measure, encouraged others to vote, or cast your ballot, thank you for being active participants in shaping our campus.

A special congratulations to all those who were elected into office. Choosing to take on campus leadership roles in this moment takes courage and says a lot about who you are as students, leaders and people. I, and many other University leaders, look forward to supporting you in the important work ahead.

Have a good summer everyone, and best of luck to all those moving on from their time at UCSC. 

In community,

Garrett

Garrett Naiman

Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Engagement