Campus News

Campus status updates

This page is being updated with important information for the UC Santa Cruz community.

May 1, 2024

Read more about the UAW strike.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

10:40 a.m.—The west entrance remains open with picketing underway. Motorists should drive with caution and anticipate potential delays. The main entrance remains closed.

8:30 a.m.—All dining locations except for SlugShop are open as scheduled. Early Education Services is also open as scheduled. The west entrance remains open.

Campus Transit Shuttles are providing modified service between Lot 117A and West Remote Lot currently. METRO is not currently entering campus. Instead, buses are dropping off and picking up all passengers near the Barn Theater. TAPS will continue to provide DVS service to the extent possible. Demonstration activities may result in delays. All information is subject to change.

6:50 a.m.—The west entrance remains open. The main entrance remains blocked. Dining halls will be opening as scheduled at 7 a.m. for breakfast service. The Science & Engineering Library and McHenry Library buildings will be open as scheduled. Instruction is remote today and Thursday.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

9:36 p.m.–SlugSafe: Main entrance remains blocked: The main entrance is again fully blocked by demonstrators. The west entrance remains open to inbound and outbound traffic.

8:45 p.m.—SlugSafe: West entrance reopens: Both lanes of the west entrance have reopened for motorists. Please drive with caution. The main entrance remains blocked to inbound traffic.

8:40 p.m.—Read a message by Chancellor Cynthia Larive about blocking campus access.

6:30 p.m.—SlugSafe: UC Santa Cruz will switch to remote instruction on Wednesday, Thursday.

5:30 p.m.—McHenry Library and Science & Engineering Library buildings will close today at 7 p.m. due to the disruption at campus entrances preventing staff/students who work evening shifts to access the campus.

5 p.m.—SlugSafe: Motorists can leave via main entrance: Demonstrators are currently letting motorists leave through the main entrance. Motorists should drive carefully, watch for pedestrians, and anticipate traffic delays.

3:30 pm.—SlugSafe: Demonstrators need to leave roadway: For the safety of the entire UCSC community, demonstrators must leave the main entrance and west entrance roadways. Blocking access to campus is dangerous and unlawful, and is preventing emergency vehicle access and preventing employees and students from leaving and from those who are currently on campus from accessing the childcare center. It is also preventing employees, such as dining workers and custodians, from entering campus for their evening shift. We call on the better judgment of the individuals in the area to deescalate the situation as soon as possible.

12:53 p.m.—SlugSafe: The main and west entrances to campus are currently blocked. Avoid driving to or from campus. More information to come.

Campus Transit Shuttles are providing modified service between Lower Campus stops and Core West. METRO is not currently entering campus and dropping off an picking up all passengers at the Barn Theater. TAPS will continue to provide DVS service to the extent possible. Demonstration activities may result in delays. All information is subject to change.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Both entrances remain open with picketing underway. This page will be updated as there’s important information to share.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

UC Santa Cruz is planning to resume in-person instruction on Tuesday. Read more.

Both entrances remain open with picketing underway. This page will be updated as there’s important information to share.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

UC Santa Cruz will continue with remote instruction on Thursday and Friday. Read more.

3:50 p.m. — Both entrances remain open with picketing continuing.
2:20 p.m. — Traffic continues to flow through both entrances.
11:40 a.m. — Both entrances are open with traffic flowing freely. Picketing continues. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
8:25 a.m. — Both entrances are open with picketing underway. Motorists should watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
7:40 a.m. — The Science & Engineering Library and McHenry Library buildings are open as scheduled.
7:30 a.m. — Both entrances are open with traffic flowing freely. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

2:30 p.m. — Traffic is flowing freely at main and west entrances with picketing underway. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for pedestrians.
1:40 p.m. — Traffic is flowing through both entrances with picketing continuing. Motorists should drive carefully and watch for pedestrians.
11:30 a.m. — Traffic flowing freely at both entrances with picketing underway.
10 a.m. — Traffic is flowing freely at main and west entrances with picketing underway. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for pedestrians.
9:00 a.m. – Student Health Services will open as scheduled at 9:30 a.m.
8:20 a.m. — Picketing is underway at the main entrance. Drivers should exercise caution and watch for pedestrians. Traffic flowing freely at both entrances.
8 a.m. — Dining halls and libraries have opened as scheduled.
7:30 a.m. — Traffic continues to flow through the main entrance and west entrance. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for pedestrians.
6:30 a.m. — Both entrances are open with traffic flowing freely. Remote instruction today and Wednesday.

Monday, May 20, 2024

Read a message on today’s activities from Chancellor Cynthia Larive and Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer.

8:30 p.m. — The main entrance has reopened.
6:15 p.m. — Given today’s disruptions and the possibility of more challenges in the coming days, UC Santa Cruz is switching to remote instruction Tuesday and Wednesday. Read more.
4:49 p.m. — The Bay and High street intersection is open, though the entrance to the main campus remains closed.
3:14 p.m. — The intersection at Bay and High streets remains blocked by demonstrators with traffic diversions in place. Motorists should drive with extra caution and anticipate delays.
1:37 p.m. — Demonstrators are in the intersection of Bay and High streets with detours in place. Drivers should exercise additional caution, watch for pedestrians, and expect delays.
12:35 p.m. — Demonstrators are blocking the main entrance. Avoid the area and use the west entrance. Drive with caution and anticipate delays.
11:45 a.m. — Campus Transit shuttles are providing modified Loop route service from Cook House (Lot 117A at the base of campus) to West Remote. METRO is currently not operating on campus, and dropping all passengers at the Barn Theatre on High Street. TAPS will continue to provide DVS Service to the extent possible. Strike-related disruptions may result in delays.
11:30 a.m. — Traffic flowing freely at both entrances. Picketing underway at main entrance. Motorists should drive with caution.
10:40 a.m. — Picketing continues at the main entrance. Motorists should drive with additional caution and watch for pedestrians.
10 a.m. — Afternoon classes to be delivered through remote instruction Read more.
9:30 a.m. — Picketing is underway at the main entrance with traffic flowing freely. Motorists should drive with caution and anticipate traffic contestion. The west entrance remains open as well.
8:20 a.m. — The McHenry Library and Science & Engineering Library will expected to open at 11 a.m.
7:35 a.m. — Morning classes delivered through remote instruction. Read more.
7 a.m. — The main and west entrances to campus have reopened. Employees who do not need to be on-site should work remotely. Those who must be onsite should check with their manager. An update about instruction will be shared soon. Dining halls will open on time at 7 a.m.
6:30 a.m. — The main and west entrances are currently blocked. Avoid driving on campus. More information will be shared with the campus community soon.

May 17

For several hours on Thursday (May 16), students disrupted scheduled activities at the Physical Sciences Building and infringed on the rights of our students, faculty, and staff to conduct their teaching, research, meetings, and events. The incident was not protected speech and violated the student code of conduct. This incident has been referred to our Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Education and any known participants may face disciplinary action.

May 16, 2024

Read a message from Chancellor Cynthia Larive and Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer.

May 15, 2024

9:15 p.m.—Hagar Drive has reopened. Campus transit and METRO are in the process of resuming regular routes.

5 p.m.—Hagar Drive remains closed. Please avoid this campus road. Motorists should exercise additional caution and anticipate possible traffic congestion. We will share updates as they’re available.

2:08 p.m.—Campus Transit is currently operating modified Loops and Upper Campus routes, and will continue to serve the Village stops in both directions as well as the interior of East Remote. Read more.

12:24 p.m.—Demonstrators are blocking Hagar Drive. Please avoid this campus road. Motorists should exercise additional caution and anticipate possible traffic congestion. We will share updates as they’re available.

May 14, 2024

Information about businesses and services in Quarry Plaza

The following list provides essential information about businesses and services that typically operate in Quarry Plaza.

ABC Student Success

The Office of African, Black, Caribbean Student Success is currently operating out of the ARC.

BayTree Campus Store

The BayTree Campus Store is temporarily closed. Online orders are being processed and shipped daily. Please email slugbuy@ucsc.edu with any customer service inquiries.

Baytree Conference Center

The Baytree Conference Center is temporarily closed. All reservations through May 17 have been relocated to alternate locations. The reservation calendar is currently offline.

Disability Resource Center

Disability Resource Center accommodations coordinators are operating remotely and offering appointments via Zoom.

Ethnic and Gender Resource Centers

All Ethnic and Gender Resource Centers are currently operating from the Womxn’s Center, the ARC and the Recreation Center in 9/JRL through May 17.

ID Card Services

ID Card Services has been moved temporarily to Baskin Engineering, Room B25.

Ivéta

Ivéta at the UCSC Graduate Student Commons is temporarily closed.

Reflection Center

The Reflection Center is closed until further notice.

Slug Stop

Slug Stop is temporarily closed.

May 11, 2024

Sustaining dining hall operations

UC Santa Cruz experienced three simultaneous dining hall disruptions on May 6 that interrupted food preparation and required us to work toward closing down the facilities during one of their busiest times. Dining services is a campus auxiliary and the food that students access in the dining halls is paid for through the meal plans students purchase. Such dining hall disruptions intimidate students, who often need to find other places to eat, and our employees, who are simply trying to support our students and the broader campus community.

As a university, we protect rights to protest and free expression. However, interrupting dining hall service is unlawful and a violation of our student code of conduct. Students rely on our dining halls and need unfettered access to these facilities. Those who engage in these activities can face sanctions up to and including suspension and expulsion.

This has been an incredibly difficult academic year for many in our campus community, with global and community tragedies that have deeply affected us all. As we navigate this moment as individuals and as a community, we must balance our rights of free expression with our obligations to one another and adhere collectively to our Principles of Community.

Nearly 19,000 students are pursuing their education at UC Santa Cruz and more than 9,000 students live on the residential campus. We have many staff and faculty also on campus throughout the day. It is essential that we can sustain fundamental services.

May 10, 2024

Over the past week, we engaged in talks to seek an amicable resolution including the voluntary disbanding of the encampment. We continue to seek that outcome.

We acknowledge the ongoing effects of the encampment’s presence on our campus and remain focused on the safety and health of our students and employees.

May 7, 2024

The campus has entered into dialogue with the students to explore how we can peacefully resolve this situation.

May 6, 2024

Dear Campus Community,

As has been the case at many colleges and universities, student demonstrators have set up a tent encampment on campus.

The continued safety and well-being of our students and employees remains our highest priority. We are continuing to support free expression while also allowing our teaching and research mission to continue unabated.

Since the encampment began Wednesday at Quarry Plaza, staff members with our Division of Student Affairs and Success have been engaged with the student demonstrators, focusing on issues such as health and safety. Please continue to take alternate routes through campus, when possible.

We understand that student demonstrations affect people in many different ways. UC Santa Cruz has a range of reporting and support resources available to students, staff, and faculty.

We strive to foster an environment that values and supports every person in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility. We expect all in our community to adhere to our Principles of Community.

We are committed to keeping our campus updated with this webpage, and we will also use our established processes for notifying the campus of emerging issues.

Sincerely,
Cindy

Cynthia Larive
Chancellor

May 1

Student demonstrators set up a tent encampment in Quarry Plaza on Wednesday (May 1), similar to what has happened at many universities across the country.

The safety and well-being of our students and employees remains our highest priority. We are continuing to focus on supporting the right to free expression while also allowing our teaching and research mission to continue.

We encourage people to take alternate routes through campus when possible.

UC Santa Cruz has a range of reporting and support resources available to everyone in our campus community.

Students are encouraged to report incidents of bias, hate, intimidation or exploitation to campus through our Bias Response program. These reports are evaluated by appropriate offices for review and potential action. In addition to allowing us to address specific situations, this program helps us identify trends so that we can develop holistic approaches to support a healthy campus climate.

Students, faculty, and staff may file a complaint based on alleged violations of university policy or campus regulations regarding discrimination by emailing equity@ucsc.edu or by using the webform at equity.ucsc.edu.

Anyone who fears for their physical safety should contact the UC Santa Cruz Police Department by calling 911.