Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Update
Undergraduates, striking graduate students and workers affiliated with the K7 unit of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 convened Jan. 9 for an undergraduate-led student-worker-power rally outside Kerr Hall.
After about 200 graduate students voted to escalate strike activities last week, organizers circulated a poll to determine whether to hold a “sick-out” strike on Jan. 22, withhold winter quarter grades or organize for a full teaching strike. The poll closes on Jan. 17.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) 2865, representing graduate students across the UC system, put out a statement on Jan. 15 demanding to bargain with the UC regarding a COLA. This declaration marks the union’s first public statement in support of a COLA.
New Limited Campus (LC) Bus Routes
Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) recently partnered with Santa Cruz METRO to introduce a pilot program of new weekday additions to the 15 and 16 bus routes, labeled Route 15LC and Route 16LC.
LC buses stop at all off-campus stops along the normal routes but only make four stops on campus — Barn Theater, Science Hill, Colleges 9/10 and Bookstore/Cowell for the 15LC and Main Entrance/East Gate, Colleges 9/10, Science Hill and Porter for the 16LC. Both LC routes only run during peak commute times between 3-6 p.m. on weekdays.
Extended Deadline to Change Grading Option
The deadline for undergraduates to change their grading option between Graded and Pass/No Pass changed from week four to week nine beginning in fall 2019. For winter 2020, students have until March 6 to change their grading option.
Jack Baskin Dies at 100
Jack Baskin, an active supporter of the engineering department and other programs at UC Santa Cruz, died at his home in Carmel on Jan. 12. Baskin and his family donated more than $10 million to UCSC. There will be a memorial service on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Samper Recital Hall at Cabrillo College.
