African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC)
The African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC) develops and fosters co-curricular initiatives that promote academic success, leadership training, student development, and social engagement centered around the African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) experience. Since the center’s inception in 1991, the program’s primary mission has been to serve as a key resource to acclimate ABC students to general campus life and academic culture. In addition, the program provides advocacy and support to ABC students in helping to monitor students’ academic progress and subsequent achievement of their educational goals. AARCC works closely with overall campus outreach efforts to enhance the recruitment and retention of students who self-identify within the African diaspora.
AARCC works directly with numerous (student) organizations, which include, but are not limited to, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Black Student Union (BSU), African American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT), African Student Union (ASU), Black Men’s Alliance (BMA), Destination Higher Education (DHE), Rainbow Theatre, Rosa Parks African American Theme House (R.PAATH), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (DST), Black And Queer Questioning (BLAQQ), Black Campus Ministries (BCM), and UMOJA.
AARCC works collaboratively with various campus units/departments and in the surrounding community to enhance cultural and ethnic diversity initiatives on the UCSC campus. AARCC is located on the third floor of the Bay Tree Building in Quarry Plaza, and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (831) 459-3207, email aarcc@ucsc.edu, or visit the AARCC website.
American Indian Resource Center (AIRC)
The American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) works in collaboration with other resource centers, faculty, staff, students, and organizations such as the Student Alliance of North American Indians (SANAI), the University of California American Indian Counselors/Recruiters Association, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of California Indians, as well as the indigenous tribal community leaders of the region to develop co-curricular programming, cultural activities, and events that assist public understanding of native peoples. Invested in creating a campus climate that supports all students, the center provides leadership development, internship opportunities, mentoring, and personal and academic advising. The AIRC is located on the third floor of the Bay Tree Building in Quarry Plaza. For more information, call (831) 459-2881, email airc@ucsc.edu, or visit the AIRC website.
Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC)
The Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC) co-creates engagement with students who identify as part of the Asian American, Pacific Islander, & Southwest Asian & North African (AA/PI/SWANA) diaspora at UC Santa Cruz; exploring the complexities of their holistic experiences, and individual and collective identities. AA/PIRC’s engagement includes leadership and holistic development, along with educational opportunities with, for, and in support of AA/PI/SWANA communities.
AA/PIRC envisions AA/PI/SWANA communities to be affirmed and empowered in their identities. We imagine individual and collective healing, wholeness, and liberation from oppression, both within and expansive of their existences in relation with UC Santa Cruz.
Chicanx Latinx Resource Center (El Centro)
The Chicanx Latinx Resource Center (El Centro) is a hub of organized activities and resources that support Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x student transition, retention, and academic advancement at the university. Through collaborative efforts with campus partners, students can participate in a host of activities that encourage intellectual growth, leadership development, preparation for graduate or professional school, and career options. El Centro encourages and supports student and community development through cultural and educational programming.
Annual programs include the following: Bienvenida—New Student Welcome Program; Día de los Muertos; Pachanga; Nuestras Raíces; dialogue on academic, social, cultural, and personal issues that affect Chicanx and Latinx communities; and a weekly online newsletter; CHISME E-News. El Centro offers student internships that support leadership-skills development, while students help to organize events and activities for the community. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (831) 459-5806 or email elcentro@ucsc.edu, or visit El Centro.
Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center
The Cantú Queer Resource Center at UC Santa Cruz provides an open, inclusive, intersectional, and welcoming space, promotes education about all genders and sexualities, and empowers self and communal explorations of sexual and gender diversitiess. We serve as a resource to LGBTQQIA students and the wider campus community by providing opportunities for leadership, personal development, advocacy, community, and academic exploration grounded in queer and trans experiences. Through our programs and services we seek to eliminate heterosexism, bi-phobia, trans-phobia, queer-phobia, and and other forms of gender-identity oppression while also lifting up queer and trans resilience on and off campus. We strive to develop an atmosphere of acceptance, celebration, and well-being from which the campus community can fulfill the academic mission of the university.
Besides the Cantú Queer Center, there are two queer spaces on campus tucked within McHenry Library: the GLBTI Reading Room on the 4th Floor, and the Gloria Anzaldua Reading Room on the 3rd Floor. Both spaces have beautiful displays that will make you feel at home. You can drop by and use these rooms if they are available or reserve them for individual or group use.
The Cantú Queer Resource Center website provides an overview and contact information.
Womxn’s Center
The Womxn’s Center is devoted to helping students maximize their academic and personal success at UC Santa Cruz. The center is a student-run resource center that creates and sponsors student-oriented programs, workshops, writing collectives, film screenings, and discussions throughout the academic year. Topics addressed include womxn’s leadership and empowerment, gender and sexuality, race and culture, health and wellness, reproductive rights, advocacy to end sexual violence, and much more. Center staff are available as a resource for on- or off-campus referrals and informal advising.
All students are encouraged to get involved in the center's annual events, which include Sister Solidarity: Womxn's Heritage Month, Take Back The Night, and more. Other opportunities for involvement include volunteering and work-study paid internships. The center is the ideal space to study, take a break from classes, check out a book from the lending library, and connect with the womxn's community.
The Womxn's Center is located at the Cardiff House, an historic farmhouse near the Carriage House in the lower campus. Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact (831) 459-2072, email women@ucsc.edu, or visit the Women's Center website.
The Student Union
The Student Union is a student-governed facility where students can study, take a break and lounge, meet friends, play pool, use computers, or watch television. Located in the Quarry Plaza across from the Bay Tree Bookstore, the Student Union complements college facilities by providing a centrally located place for social, recreational, and educational gatherings for all students and members of the campus community.
The Student Union is also home to the campuswide student governing body (Student Union Assembly) and to student organizations, the Bike Co-op, Engaging Education, and Student Organization Advising and Resources (SOAR).
The Union is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Union is closed holidays and quarter breaks. For more information, call (831) 459-3167.