UCSC to present student-run Community Arts Festival May 11

The UC Santa Cruz Good Neighbor Initiative Program will present a free Community Arts Festival at Abbott Square--outside the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz--on Saturday, May 13, from 12 to 3 p.m.

26th annual Bike Week begins May 3

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to host the 26th Annual Santa Cruz County Bike Week, May 3 - 11, 2013. The Bike Week program aims to provide a safe, supportive and festive environment for local commuters to try traveling by bike.

Graduate students present research in annual symposium May 10

Graduate students from all five academic divisions at UCSC will present their research on Friday, May 10.

So You Think When You Dance?

UCSC’s Ted Warburton will give the Arts Division’s 2013 Outstanding Faculty Research Lecture May 16, plus direct a faculty dance concert with guest Bay Area alumni and students, May 24-June 2.

Alumna Dana Priest updates security report in light of Boston bombings

Washington Post reporter Dana Priest (Merrill, '81, politics) has updated a television report on the national security industrial complex in light of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Time to remember: more than 1,000 revelers attend Alumni Weekend 2013

A large group of returning Banana Slugs participated enthusiastically in all Alumni Weekend activities, while getting a chance to reconnect with old friends, visit faculty mentors, and ham it up with UCSC's mascot.

UCSC language students to present International Playhouse

UCSC will present International Playhouse XIII--an annual program of fully-staged short theater pieces by students in the Language Program May 16-19, featuring works in French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, with English super-titles.

UCSC's Got Talent debuts, showcases students' artistic flair

They made a Britney Spears song sound hip. They sent machetes flying, flung yo-yos, and danced fingers over the keys of a grand piano. On a recent Friday night in the Stevenson Event Center, 20 of UC Santa Cruz's most creative student performers came together for the premiere of UCSC's Got Talent.

Astrophysics internships bring community college students to UCSC

The astrophysics program is reaching out to community college students through a new summer internship program.

Interactive storytelling symposium on May 10 explores the future of games

The Interactive Storytelling Symposium will bring together experts from academia and the computer game industry to explore the future of games.

10th annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC features Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual César Chávez Convocation at UCSC Tuesday, May 7 at the College Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Judge David Sotelo named Social Sciences distinguished alumni winner

When David Sotelo graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1983 (Merrill, politics) he was older than most undergrads, married, and the father of two small boys. Today, Sotelo is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge and winner of the 2013 Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award at UCSC.

Campus visits of finalists for vice chancellor of research

The search committee for the vice chancellor of research has identified two finalists who will be visiting campus in early May. I encourage you to make a note on your calendar and plan to attend.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz collaborates with Jewel Theatre for Pinter plays

UCSC’s Shakespeare Santa Cruz has joined forces with Santa Cruz’s Jewel Theatre Company to present two one-act plays by Harold Pinter, running April 25 through May 19, at the Center Stage in downtown Santa Cruz.

Elaine Kihara: Immeasurable dedication toward students

Oakes College academic preceptor named 2013 recipient of Outstanding Staff Award

Our University - April 2013

Read the latest news for faculty and staff in the April issue of Our University.

Wilderness on the edge of town: Younger Lagoon a 'living lab' for students

Younger Lagoon Reserve is a postage-stamp-sized parcel of wilderness. Students sharpen their minds while they get their hands dirty: learning, researching, and making a difference too.

April 26 Forum on Online Education

The Academic Senate's Committee on Teaching, in collaboration with its Committee on Educational Policy, will host the third in a series of forums on online education on Friday, April 26.

UCSC hosts symposium on stem cells and aging

Leading stem cell scientists from around the world will gather at UCSC May 30 and 31 for the Stem Cells and Aging Symposium.

UCSC Farm & Garden’s annual spring plant sale set for weekend of May 4, 5

Satisfy your green thumb at the UCSC Farm and Garden’s spring plant sale, featuring the region’s largest collection of organically grown herb and flower starts, vegetables, and perennials Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5.

UCSC alumna wins prestigious 2013 Guggenheim

UCSC 1993 graduate Brenda Shaughnessy has been awarded a 2013 Guggenheim Fellowship for the creative arts in poetry. She returns to campus for Alumni Weekend events, including a free public reading on April 25.

Mathematics lecturer Richard Mitchell wins teaching award

Richard Mitchell, a lecturer in mathematics, has received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association.

Fall 2013 freshman class at UC Santa Cruz is one of the most selective

After receiving a record number 38,515 applications, UC Santa Cruz has offered admission to fewer than half of freshman applicants, making fall 2013 one of its most selective classes.

New book explores relentless evolution in a constantly changing world

In his new book, biologist John Thompson argues that species must evolve constantly or they will not persist.

Cowell art exhibition blends Jewish, African American, Pacific Rim themes

The Eloise Pickard Smith Galleries at Cowell College will present In Her Place: Visual Narratives by Bonnie Stone, an exhibition opening April 26 and running through June 22 on the UCSC campus.

Puma tracking in Santa Cruz Mountains reveals impact of habitat fragmentation

In the first published results of more than three years of tracking mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains, UC Santa Cruz researchers document how human development affects the predators' habits.

Digital Arts and New Media grad student exhibition opens April 27

Amplified CB radios, playable wrestling games about nutrition, and buildings that grow in the dark are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at “ground (ctrl)”—opening April 27 at UCSC’s Digital Arts Research Center (DARC building).

Signs installed, cabin restored in Cowell Lime Works Historic District

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District celebrated installation of six new interpretive signs Friday and phase one of the restoration of one of the remaining lime workers cabins.

Police Department to automate non-emergency phone calls

Members of the UCSC community and others who call the published non-emergency lines of the UC Santa Cruz Police Department will now be assisted by an automated attendant that will quickly get the caller to their correct destination, allowing staff and emergency center dispatchers to more efficiently handle calls for service.

Please participate in UCSC Storm Water Management Program Survey

The Campus Storm Water Management Program invites the campus community to participate in UCSC's annual Storm Water Survey.

New website for Academic Personnel Office

The Academic Personnel Office (APO) launched its redesigned website on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Arts Division public event to help shape new Institute of Arts and Sciences

The UCSC Arts Division will present a day-long public event to help plan a groundbreaking new interdisciplinary Institute of the Arts and Sciences on Friday, April 26.

Second Gabe Zimmerman scholarship winner is sociology major

Carson Watts, an Oakes College sociology major and politics minor, has been selected as the second winner of the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship at UC Santa Cruz.

Public Safety Alert for April 20

This notification is being provided to advise members of the campus community of the potential for disruptions and hazards associated with an unsanctioned gathering known as "4-20" during the afternoon of Saturday, April 20.

CO2 at work during last global 'hot spell' but hardly alone

UC Santa Cruz ocean sciences professor Christina Ravelo is part of an international team that is using ocean floor sediment samples to compile data on past periods of global warming in order to understand today's climate changes.

Gopher control workshop set for Saturday, April 6 at UCSC Farm

Learn how to get gopher problems under control at a workshop Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Santa Cruz Farm.

Domhoff's power structure research featured in urban affairs session

A plenary session is devoted to the groundbreaking research into urban power structures by UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of Sociology G. William Domhoff when the Urban Affairs Association holds its 43rd annual conference this week in San Francisco.

UCSC Spring Living Writers series kicks off April 4

Acclaimed up-and-coming writer Tupelo Hassman--author of the novel 'Girlchild'--will kick off the spring installment of UCSC’s Living Writers reading series, Thursday, April 4, at the Humanities Lecture Hall.

Registration begins April 9 for spring recreation and intramural activities

Spring quarter registration begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 for for UCSC Recreation & Intramural Sports classes and activities.

Sea lion defies theory and keeps the beat

Scientists trained a sea lion to bob her head in time with rhythmic sounds, the first example of beat keeping in a non-human mammal.

New summer camp opens on campus for youngsters entering 1st– 5th grades

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports announces the new Sammy Slug Summer Camp, a recreational summer program for boys and girls entering 1st through 5th grades.

Gary Young wins 2013 Lucille Medwick Memorial Award

UCSC humanities lecturer and alumnus Gary Young has received the 2013 Lucille Medwick Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America (PSA) for best original poem on a humanitarian theme.

Engaging the Fall 2013 class

Please volunteer to join our intensive recruitment and yield effort for students from all backgrounds

UCSC and industry partners launch center for data storage research

The Center for Research in Storage Systems was established through NSF's Industry/University Cooperative Research Program.

Marine scientist Adina Paytan receives prestigious international award

IMS researcher Adina Paytan has been awarded the Excellence Award of the Werner Petersen Foundation.

Scholarship program wins archaeology society's president's award

UCSC professor Diane Gifford-Gonzalez's effort to create a scholarship fund for students from underrepresented groups has won the President's Recognition Award from the Society for American Archaeology.

Update on UC Tobacco-Free Policy

As you may know, University of California President Mark Yudof has directed all UC campuses to become tobacco-free no later than January 1, 2014.

UCSC to hold international conference on Sikh and Punjabi Studies, March 29-30

The UC Santa Cruz Sikh and Punjabi Studies program will present an international conference titled "(Re-)Building Punjab: Political Economy, Society and Values" on campus, March 29-30.

2013 Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity Nominations Due April 1st

As a reminder, you are invited to submit nominations for the 2013 Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity..

Our University - March 2013

Our University — A new Onward California video series, Keck Observatory's 20th anniversary and more news for UC faculty and staff.

Baskin School of Engineering hosts meeting on women in technology

Members of the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Pacesetters Program met at UCSC in February.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz announces lineup for 2013 season

Shakespeare Santa Cruz artistic director Marco Barricelli today announced the line-up for the acclaimed UCSC theater company’s 32nd season.

Alumna Belle Yang contributes cover art to second issue of Catamaran

“Kite”--a 1997 painting by UC Santa Cruz alumna Belle Yang—is the featured art on the cover of the just released Spring 2013 issue of Catamaran Literary Reader.

Historic Hay Barn to be reinvented as environmental center

Thanks to a $5 million gift, the historic Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz will be reinvented as the centerpiece of a revived campus entrance and new home for many of UCSC's innovative environmental sustainability programs.

DNA study clarifies relationship between polar bears and brown bears

A new genetic study of polar bears and brown bears upends prevailing ideas about the evolutionary history of the two species.

Works by UCSC music professor to be featured at Smithsonian

Thousand Gates, a concert featuring two new works by UC Santa Cruz professor of music Hi Kyung Kim, is set to be performed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., on April 7.

International collaboration to investigate disappearing reptiles and amphibians

UCSC biologist Barry Sinervo leads NSF-funded project to study the effects of climate change on plants and animals around the world.

UCSC ranked among top 10 graduate schools for game design

The graduate programs in game design at UC Santa Cruz were named among the top 10 in the nation by the Princeton Review.

A letter from Provost Aimée Dorr regarding tax checkoff for cancer research

Throughout the state and at all UC campuses, researchers are working on new ways to prevent, treat and cure cancer. As we approach the peak of the tax season, I wanted to share information on how you can support cancer research that serves all California communities.

Student robotics competition on March 13 features Star Trek theme

Robotic "starships" built by UCSC engineering students will face off in a free public demonstration on Wednesday, March 13.

The Rosa Parks African American Theme House: Discovering similarities, embracing differences

Students from diverse backgrounds learn about struggles of race, gender, and class while becoming a family to each other.

Slug Stand-Up lets students express themselves through comedy

The four members of UCSC's Slug Stand-Up comedy squad bare their souls while trying to keep stage-fright in check, but they say everything is worth it just to make people laugh.

Restaurant worker advocate visits Santa Cruz for reading, book signing

Saru Jayaraman, author of Behind the Kitchen Door, will speak and sign copies of her book Thursday, March 21, 7-9 p.m. at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz in an event co-sponsored by the UCSC Center for Labor Studies, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and Friends of the UCSC Farm and Garden.

UCSC arts, humanities professors collaborate for ‘New Orleans Suite’

A new book by UCSC professors Lewis Watts (Art) and Eric Porter (History, American Studies) maps the changing cultural scene in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit the Crescent City in the summer of 2005.

12th annual Earth Summit branches out with workshops, displays, food

The 12th annual Earth Summit at UC Santa Cruz will take place Friday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room. It is free and the public is invited.

UNESCO releases lecturer's book online as free download

State legislators, UCSC administrators talk budgets at legislative meeting

Voter approval of Proposition 30 in November gives UC Santa Cruz and the UC system a welcome respite to years of budget cuts but it is not a panacea, state legislators and university administrators agreed Friday.

UCSC night at the Santa Cruz Warriors draws enthusiastic crowd

Over 200 members of the UCSC community came out to support the Santa Cruz warriors this past Friday.

UCSC Swim Team honors at Conference Championships

Congratulations are in order for the UCSC Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Team, who recently returned from the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference Championships at the Splash Regional Aquatics Center

Google Version of UCSC Academic and Administrative Calendar

The Office of the Registrar is pleased to announce a UCSC Academic and Administrative Calendar offered though the UCSC Google Calendar application.

Alumna killed in line of duty; info on memorial, support for families

Detective Elizabeth Butler (Kresge, '96, community studies), who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday, February 26, put her skills working with people into action on the streets of Santa Cruz. A memorial is set for March 7.

UCSC student dies after sustaining serious injuries

I am extremely sorry to have to share the news with you that the campus has learned that a UCSC student, who was discovered below the pedestrian bridge near the Student Health Center this morning, died at Valley Medical Center.

Tragedy in our community

The Santa Cruz Police Department suffered the tragic loss of two veteran officers yesterday, one of whom was a graduate of UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC community reports record-breaking holiday season of giving

The UC Santa Cruz community stepped up once again to support those in need, with record-breaking donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank, the United Way of Santa Cruz County and the Student Volunteer Center’s Giving Tree program.

UCSC arts alumnus wins Academy Award

UC Santa Cruz alumnus Rick Carter won an Oscar Sunday for production design on Steven Speilberg’s acclaimed film, Lincoln. This marks the second academy award for the former UCSC art major.

2013 Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity Call for Nominations

You are invited to submit nominations for the 2013 Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity.

UCSC presents interactive, multi-venue production of Ibsen's epic masterpiece

Henrik Ibsen’s play "Peer Gynt" has been staged at theaters across the world since its premiere in 1876—as well as at an insane asylum in Iceland, in the Wild West, on a German boat, and in a Scottish pub.

Our University - February 2013

Read the latest news for UC faculty and staff in Our University.

Leviathan celebrates a gargantuan feat

UC Santa Cruz students have kept Leviathan Jewish Journal alive for almost four decades. One of the U.S.'s longest-running Jewish-themed campus publications, Leviathan celebrates its 40th anniversary in April.

Award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team to compete in San Francisco

The award-winning UC Santa Cruz Model UN team will compete against other regional college teams February 28-March 3, 2013, at the UC Berkeley Model UN Conference in San Francisco.

UCSC Linguistics professors receive $300,000 NSF grant

UCSC humanities professors Sandra Chung and Matthew Wagers have been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate language comprehension in the Mariana Islands.

Letter from President Yudof about employee salary increases

Over the last few months, many of you have been in touch with me regarding the possibility of systemwide salary increases for UC staff.

Safe Disposal of Needles, Syringes and Medications

In an effort to protect our community and the environment, the UCSC Student Health Center Pharmacy provides for safe disposal of needles, syringes and medications.

"Science on Tap" aims to engage public in science

A new "science cafe" is starting up in Santa Cruz, designed to connect the Santa Cruz community to the latest research happening at UCSC.

Student research project attracts European partners and NSF funding

Research on Mediterranean seagrass leads to international collaboration and a grant to extend students' findings.

Crafting a way to help those less fortunate

After witnessing a tragic incident, UCSC student Radhika Mitra founded a nonprofit that aims to give artisans in developing countries the tools they need to be financially successful.

UCSC symposium to address issues of nutrition, health, and food policy

A symposium on nutrition, health, and, food policy is scheduled for Friday, March 8 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in 261 Social Sciences I on the UC Santa Cruz campus. The public is invited and admission is free.

UCSC astrophysicist Charlie Conroy wins Sloan Research Fellowship

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to Charlie Conroy, assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics.

Community Crime Bulletin

On February 13, 2013, at 7:30PM, the City of Santa Cruz Police Department reported that two masked men committed an armed robbery at the Food Bin located at 1130 Mission Street, Santa Cruz.

Winner of groundbreaking historic Gay Rights case to speak at UCSC

UCSC will present a lecture by Karen Thompson titled “Love is a Dangerous Promise” on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m., at the Second Stage Theater in the Performing Arts Center on the UCSC campus. Admission is free, and the public is invited.

Appointment of Jo Packham as Assistant Vice Chancellor, Staff Human Resources

Jo Packham has been appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Staff Human Resources.

Community Crime Alert: Police ask for help, issue safety tips

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the City of Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820 or the UC Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-459-2231.

Overcoming the odds: Student learned English by playing video games

The son of migrant workers, Juan Morales's path to UC Santa Cruz was anything but typical.

Welcome visitors to campus this spring

With spring approaching, we’ll again see a number of visitors to the campus in March and April, many of whom will be our newly admitted frosh and transfer students, along with their families.

Israeli filmmaker to screen acclaimed documentary about famed architect

UCSC’s Film and Digital Media Department will present a free public screening of award-winning Israeli documentarian Duki Dror’s acclaimed film "Mendelsohn's Incessant Visions" on Feb. 25, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker.

Changes to Main Entrance Kiosk functions and staffing

Beginning Monday, March 4, 2013, the function of the Main Entrance Kiosk will change on weekday afternoons.

Red Cross Staff and Faculty Blood Drive February 19, 2013

The Staff Advisory Board is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive for staff and faculty on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Stevenson Event Center.

Workshop offers basics of blueberry selection, planting, care Feb. 16

Liz Milazzo, field production manager at the UC Santa Cruz Farm, will lead “Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden" Saturday, February 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UCSC Farm.

Karen Yamashita to read and lead talk about Asian American & Ethnic Studies

Award-winning author and UCSC literature professor Karen Yamashita will give a reading of excerpts from her work, followed by an informal conversation with guest professors Alondra Nelson (Columbia University) and Aimee Bahng (Dartmouth College).

UCSC places in top 20 on Peace Corps’ volunteer list

UC Santa Cruz is tied for fifth place among California universities and in the top 20 nationally for the most Peace Corps volunteers in 2013, according to the Peace Corps' annual ranking of top volunteer-producing colleges.

Free docent training at the UCSC Farm & Garden begins March 12

A five-session docent training program begins Tuesday, March 12 at two of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful locations: the historic Alan Chadwick farm and UCSC Farm on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Astronomer Sandra Faber honored in White House ceremony

President Barack Obama presented astronomer Sandra Faber with the National Medal of Science in a White House ceremony on Friday.