Campus News
Slug Start 2025: A celebration of connection and belonging
Slug Start is a six-week celebration of campus life, packed with traditions, events, and opportunities to connect, belong, and thrive as students begin their Banana Slug journey.
Building on the success of previous Welcome Weeks, Slug Start is a six-week celebration of campus life led by the Division of Student Affairs and Success. Designed to help students connect, belong, and thrive at UC Santa Cruz, Slug Start begins Monday, Sept. 22 and brings together signature traditions, resource fairs, and spirited events that welcome new and returning Slugs into the UCSC community.
The week begins with Cornucopia on Monday, Sept. 22, from 2–6 p.m. on the East Field. This annual student organization and resource fair draws thousands of Slugs to explore opportunities, connect with campus resources, and connect with all UC Santa Cruz has to offer.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 3:15 p.m., the tradition of the New Admit Class Photo continues on the East Field. All new admits are invited to gather for the official UCSC 2025 Class Photo, celebrate with free ice cream donated by The Penny Ice Creamery, and pick up a free t-shirt provided by sponsor Pizza My Heart, a community favorite.
The week continues with the Get Experience: Student Employment and Work Study Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Quarry Plaza, where students can connect directly with on-campus employers hiring for student and work-study roles.
On Thursday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., staff from the Division of Student Affairs and Success will be across campus offering treats and photo opportunities to mark the First Day of School.
The week wraps up with the much-loved Boardwalk Frolic on Friday, Sept. 26, from 6–10 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Students enjoy exclusive access to rides, arcades, mini golf, laser tag, and more in one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic landmarks. Tickets can be purchased in advance.
The celebration doesn’t stop after the first week. Slug Start continues for six full weeks with campus-wide events and college-led programs designed to keep students engaged and connected. Highlights include a campus movie night, special programming hosted by the colleges, and more opportunities to meet peers, explore resources, and get involved. The experience culminates in Family Weekend in early November, when families and supporters return to campus to experience UCSC life alongside their students.
The first six weeks of college are a pivotal transition. Students are adjusting to a new environment, making friends, starting university-level coursework, and learning to manage their independence. It’s common to feel both excited and overwhelmed. Slug Start is designed to make this transition easier by surrounding new Slugs with opportunities to connect, explore, and access the resources that will support them throughout their UCSC journey.
At its heart, Slug Start is about people—students coming together, sharing experiences, and beginning their Banana Slug journey with the connections that will help them thrive.
Special thanks to our Slug Start sponsors: Pizza My Heart, The Penny Ice Creamery, Togo’s, Upper Crust, Pepsi, Woodstock’s, and Xfinity. UCSC’s Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) encompasses over 800 professional staff and nearly 2000 student staff spanning five major units. Our division cultivates an equity-centered environment that fosters scholars and change agents. To learn more, visit the DSAS website and follow @ucsc.dsas on Instagram.