Making it to Mainstage: Behind the Productions of Color
Productions of Color, the collaboration between three ethnic organizations on campus — the Indian Student Association (ISA), Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas, and Bayanihan — has taken to UC Santa Cruz Theater Arts’ Mainstage once again for their annual cultural productions. “These [productions] are staples of...
Going Back to Your Roots: The 16th Annual VSA Charity Show
It was like eating with family at the table. One big dinner, filled to the brim with students sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying a meal together. Centering family and connection to one’s roots were the key themes of the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)’s 16th Annual...
IndigeFest 2023 Celebrates Indigenous Cultures with Food, Performances, and More
The smells of masa and quinoa wafted from UC Santa Cruz’s Quarry Amphitheater as the 11th annual IndigeFest took center stage. To begin the day, lively drums reverberated throughout the space as various Indigenous performers danced passionately to honor their heritage. The festival, held on...
The Arboretum: Indigenous Practices Help Sow Seeds of the Future
As changing climates bring about new realities, those working at UC Santa Cruz’s Arboretum and Botanic Garden are invested in preparing for the future. Amidst ongoing climate collapse, the Arboretum is using the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program (AMRP) and the Native Plant Program (NPP) to...
Indian Student Association Presents India’s Hidden Gem
When Manikantanagasai H. Illuri kneels down for prayer on UC Santa Cruz’s Mainstage, he’s no longer a second-year computer science major. He’s Tenali Rama, a 16th-century Telegu poet and scholar. ‘Tenali Rama: India’s Hidden Gem,’ the Indian Student Association’s (ISA) 21st annual production, brought friends...
Remove by X: A Glimpse Into UCSC’s Artistic and Political Past
No one pays close attention to the abundance of flyers stapled to the corkboard at bus stops, let alone gives much thought as to what was there before. Now, for the first time ever, students have a chance to see flyers from 1965 through 2001...
AFSCME 3299 Launches “$25/5%” Campaign for Pay Raises
AFSCME 3299 is demanding a $25 minimum wage for UC employees, and for employees already making $25 or more an hour to have their current wage raised by 5%. The union is also advocating for non-unionized student employees to be included in the demand for...
Celebrations After Sunset: Iftar in the Quarry
Those who attend Iftar hosted by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) know they’ll leave with full bellies and even fuller hearts. Friends and strangers alike greet one another with smiles, beckoning newcomers to take a seat, grab some food, and celebrate Iftar. Though MSA regularly...
Indigenous Leaders Share Insights on Regenerative Food Systems and Community Resilience
Beatboxing. Soul-saving salmon. Regenerative Food Systems. Topics ranged widely at the latest “Architects of Abundance” discussion panel hosted by the Institute of Social Transformation on March 13. Moderated by Dr. Chris Benner, a professor of environmental studies and sociology at UC Santa Cruz, the panel...
Why Family Student Housing Doesn’t Have (and Might Not Get) Generator Power
In her five years living at Family Student Housing (FSH), Melissa Svigelj has acquired a bevy of camping lanterns, a battery generator, a solar panel, and a camping stove. These items aren’t for outdoor living, though — they’re for power outages. “My first year here,...