Where Do We Go From Here? Santa Cruz Naturalists on Display
Ask five naturalists to define naturalism and you’ll get six definitions. Naturalism could be the meticulous documentation of a particular species’ impact on its habitat or the yearly birdwatching trip your aunt goes on. It could be advocating for native plant gardens or political opposition...
Don Williams: How the Movement for Black Theater Came to UCSC 30 Years Ago
Without the talents and efforts of Don Williams, an entire generation of artists may never have had the opportunity to discover and voice their talents. Starting from a young age, Williams’ love of theater sparked a career in creating inclusive and uplifting spaces for Black...
Students Need More Mental Health Support
Content warning: This piece contains reference to suicide and mental health issues. “Get some exercise and stay optimistic.” This is the advice UC president Michael Drake gave for staying mentally healthy during the pandemic in a recent interview with the National Center for Free Speech...
Skate Like a Girl Fosters Inclusive Skate Community
Walking into a skatepark, you will see skaters ripping around the bowl, speeding down ramps, and ollieing in the air. You will feel gusts of wind as skaters whiz past and hear the constant clack of wheels hitting the pavement. Take a closer look and...
UC Lecturers Reach Full Year Without a Contract, Bargaining Continues
The UC lecturers’ contract expired one year ago after they rejected a contract proposal from the UC Office of the President (UCOP) that failed to meet their core demands. Now, on the anniversary of their contract expiration, the UC American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) still...
Spared of Major Debris Flow Damages, Concerns Remain in the Santa Cruz Mountains
In the span of five months, thousands of Santa Cruz County residents have left their homes, fearing fires, floods, winds, and mudslides, unsure when they’d return. Over 60,000 Santa Cruz County residents were evacuated during the CZU Lightning Complex fires last August. Then, two weeks...
UC President Michael Drake Stars on Speech Spotlight Live
UC campuses have long been sites of political activism and protest. From the Berkeley Free Speech Movement of the 1960s, to anti-apartheid protests across the campuses, to the recent fight for a cost of living adjustment. In 2017, protests over the planned appearance of far...
Green New Deal Author Rhiana Gunn-Wright Comes to UCSC for Environmental Justice Event
UC Santa Cruz named one of its colleges after groundbreaking conservationist and environmental activist, Rachel Carson. The university also hosts 15 clubs and organizations dedicated to environmental studies and sustainability. There are 575 students affiliated with its environmental studies department, putting it among the top...
‘Prisons and Poetics’ Conversation Highlights Importance of Arts in Understanding the Push for Prison Abolition
Poetry is about understanding the past, recognizing where we are now, and re-imagining the future. “It really is poetry and art that takes us to another place,” said UC Santa Cruz social psychology professor Craig Haney, “and in this criminal justice system,…another place is exactly...
Nationwide Blood Donation Shortages Expose Long-Held Homophobic Guidelines
With a nationwide blood donation shortage caused by COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted restrictions on men who have sex with men (MSM) to bolster the supply. Once COVID-19 shortages are over, these homophobic restrictions will be reinstated, unless the FDA creates a...