- The University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) is a public research university located in Santa Cruz, California.
- The university was founded in 1965 and has since become known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice.
- UCSC is organized into ten colleges, which are designed to create smaller communities within the larger university.
- The university is home to over 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
- UCSC is known for its strong programs in astronomy, marine biology, environmental science, and computer science.
- The campus is situated on over 2,000 acres of forested land overlooking Monterey Bay.
- UCSC has a distinctive campus architecture, featuring a mixture of modern and natural design elements, including several buildings designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.
- The university has a number of research centers and institutes focused on fields ranging from marine science to feminist studies.
- UCSC is known for its commitment to social justice and has a number of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Notable UCSC alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and filmmaker Gus Van Sant.
