Diversity-Enhancement Programs
The Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship and the Dissertation-Year Fellowship are part of the University of California’s Academic Career Development Program.
The Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship is a merit-based diversity-enhancement program that provides financial support for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue and successfully complete a graduate degree. This fellowship is awarded to entering doctoral students who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve a baccalaureate-level degree, and whose economic, educational, or social background contributes to intellectual diversity of the graduate student population. Departments identify applicants from among their pool of admissions applications. Applicants should refer to the information under Financial Support in the application to gain a better understanding of this fellowship. Fellowship recipients must be a U.S. citizen, or a Permanent Resident, or an undocumented student who qualifies for nonresident supplemental tuition exemptions under AB 540, who are being recommended for admission to a Ph.D. program, and who plan to pursue an academic career in research and teaching.
The Dissertation-Year Fellowship is available to continuing students who are advanced to candidacy. Enrolled students are assisted through formal and informal group orientations, individual advice about academic matters, financial aid, postdoctoral opportunities, and the provision of information about career planning, health care, and housing.
Departments nominate applicants for this fellowship from among their qualified students. For information, see the Division of Graduate Studies website.
Student Life
The campus offers a variety of programs to enhance the quality of student life, all of which are available to graduate students. These include child care, sports and recreation, health services, cultural events, transportation services, and the UCSC Womxn’s Center. See undergraduate Student Life for information on these services and a description of the local community. See Disability Resource Center for services available to students with disabilities.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is recognized by both the UC systemwide and local campus administrations as the voice of the Santa Cruz graduate student community. The GSA serves the collective interests of the graduate students by promoting cooperation among the students of the various departments at UCSC; by representing their concerns to the UCSC faculty, administration, and staff; and by providing services to the graduate student body which are more effectively addressed as a group. In addition, the GSA holds social events during the academic year and makes available small travel grants for graduate students attending conferences at which they present a paper, or traveling for thesis-related research. Questions about the Graduate Dean's Research Travel Grant program can be addressed to gss-group@ucsc.edu.
The GSA Council consists of one voting member from each graduate department or program. The representatives are elected by the graduate students in some departments, and are volunteers in others. The representatives represent the views of their departments to the council and advise the Executive Council on campus issues. The Executive Council recommends graduate students for appointments to university committees and speaks to the administration on graduate student issues. Each year the council elects a president, an external and an internal vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
The GSA is a member of the University of California Student Association (UCSA). The UCSA is a coalition of students and student governments that provides a collective voice for all students through advocacy and direct action. Each government sends one voting member to serve on the UCSA Board of Directors, which then serves as the student voice to the UC Office of the President and the UC Regents. Graduate students may attend GSA Council meetings, either as the official departmental representative or as an interested party. For more information on open positions and GSA meeting times, please visit the GSA website or email us at gsainfo@ucsc.edu.
Graduate Student Commons
The Graduate Student Commons (GSC) was completed in 2001 and is located at the Quarry Plaza, across from the UCSC Bookstore. The goal for this facility is to provide a comfortable and welcoming space that will attract a wide spectrum of graduate students and foster graduate student interaction and a sense of community.
The GSC offers a variety of spaces, including small study rooms, computer terminals, and a lounge for social interaction. The aim is to make it a resource for graduate students to stop between classes where they may check email, hold office hours, attend or hold a meeting, or join a homework study group, for example. The Graduate Student Commons is a dedicated space for graduate students and all graduate students can obtain 24 hour access to the space.
The GSC is run by two entities, the Director of Graduate Student Life and the GSC Governance Board (GSCGB). The Director of Graduate Student Life is responsible for the day-to-day management of the GSC, while the GSCGB enacts usage policies of the GSC. The GSCGB is composed primarily of 19 graduate students–president, vVice president, treasurer and program coordinator, and 15 regular voting members. GSC Governing Board meetings are held once a month. GSC Governing Board members must attend two out of the three quarterly meetings, serve on a subcommittee (Programming, Outreach or Finance), support committee initiatives, and be present and volunteer at three events per quarter. Voting members may earn a quarterly stipend for their involvement. If you are interested in serving on the GSCGB, please contact the Graduate Commons on our contact page.
The Graduate Student Commons (GSC) hosts a variety of student life well-being programming including personal and professional development, social, health, wellness, spiritual, and financial events that are designed to help graduate students succeed at UC Santa Cruz, and in the world beyond. The GSC designs these workshops as seminars, panel discussions, community work sessions, social events and adventure outings that are offered throughout the academic year. The GSC believes all programming is important to the development and retention of well-rounded and healthy graduate students. All GSC events are open to all currently enrolled graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
The Graduate Student Commons established the Graduate Student Peer Mentorship Program in 2022-23. The program creates a safe space for all incoming graduate students, as well as returning graduate students, who need space to connect with experienced graduate peers.
Housing
As at all UC campuses, finding housing may be a challenge. Students who wish to reside on campus should submit their application as soon as possible. Likewise, students who wish to live off campus should start looking at available rentals as soon as possible.
On-campus Graduate Student Housing is available for 82 graduate students. Visit the Grad Housing website, or email gradhsg@ucsc.edu.
Students with families may apply to live in Family Student Housing, a complex of two-bedroom unfurnished apartments. Refer to the Family Student Housing website, or email fsh@ucsc.edu.
To assist students in locating living accommodations in the surrounding communities, the Community Rentals Office maintains a list of available rentals.
Global Engagement
TThe Division of Global Engagement inspires and facilitates global learning, teaching, and research at UC Santa Cruz. Its work supports and promotes international efforts throughout campus. Within Global Engagement are the units of Global Learning, International Student Services & Programs (ISSP), and International Faculty and Scholar Services (IFSS). For more information, visit Global Engagement: 103 Classroom Unit Building, (831) 459-2858, email: global@ucsc.edu.
International Student Services Programs
International Student Services & Programs (ISSP) works with students and departments across campus to bring international students to UC Santa Cruz and offers specialized support while they are here.
ISSP provides visa and immigration advising to F-1 and J-1 international students at UCSC. The team also designs and provides orientation programs, events, and activities to foster intercultural learning, build community, and support cultural adjustment. By supporting international students, ISSP advances campus internationalization. Learn more on the ISSS website.
Fulbright Grants for Graduate Study and Research Abroad
The Global Engagement Office facilitates the Fulbright annual awards competition for the Graduate Study and Research Abroad Program for currently enrolled UCSC students. For more information, see the
Global Engagement Office website.
Global Learning
Global Learning provides students with the opportunity to graduate with a study abroad or away experience, which promotes an internationalized campus that cultivates an understanding of our diverse global community and encourages students to engage with other cultures to broaden their perspective and involvement in the world.
Oportunities for studying abroad or away include the UC Santa Cruz faculty-led Global Seminars, internships programs, and exchange programs, as well as additional opportunities through the UCDC Washington program and UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), just to name a few. Learn more on the Global Learning website.