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University of California - Santa Cruz
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University of California - Santa Cruz - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Diversity

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 3%
Asian American 21%
Hispanic 17%
International 1%
Native American 1%
White 50%
Unknown 8%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 3%
Common States of Residence
  • Foreign countries
  • Illinois
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • Washington
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 2%
18-19: 40%
20-21: 36%
22-24: 12%
25+: 10%
Female Faculty 39%
Male Faculty 61%
Faculty Diversity African American: 2%
Asian American: 12%
Hispanic: 9%
International: 1%
Native American: 1%
White: 68%
Unknown: 7%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

While there are differing perspectives, most students have found an increase in diversity on the UCSC campus. The recent influx of different races, ideologies, religions, and sexualities has added dramatically to the diversity of campus. Racially, the school is predominantly white and Asian. People who come from racially diverse places like LA or San Francisco may find it shocking how overwhelmingly Caucasian the University is, while others who come from mostly white neighborhoods view UCSC as very diverse. Overall, based on the numbers and the student’s perspective, the school’s racial diversity could still be improved. According to the students, Oakes College attracts the most minority students. There does seem to be a diversity of thought, personality, and ideas among UCSC students. Also, alternative lifestyles are very acceptable here.

One way that diversity on campus is improving is through the vast number of minority clubs and organizations that have sprung up on campus. No matter what your lifestyle, race, or political standpoint may be, there is more than likely a club on campus composed of like-minded people. The only people who may have a problem finding a club at UCSC are conservative students. The only real organization that is geared toward the conservative students at UCSC is the College Republicans, and they are drowned out by the voices of the other student organizations. While alternative ways of life are accepted, the campus is so liberal that often people do feel slightly out of favor.

 

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UC Santa Cruz Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Diversity at University of California - Santa Cruz

ekuang2

'15

Marine Biology and Oceanography

2.7
C+

Where Are All the Asians?

The school's trying to promote college level education for Latin Americans, so there's a lot of them here, along with a LOT of white people. I honestly have never been to a school with so many non-Asians. It's definitely very anything-but-Asians dominant here, except at College 9/10

Feb 12, 2012

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Diversity at University of California - Santa Cruz

Jazzeagle

'15

Psychology

1.9
C-

Unexpected

The population on campus an in the town of Santa Cruz is primarily composed of caucasians. The school does try very hard to have several groups oriented around racial and ethnic acceptance. What is interesting is how segregated the campus is on racial lines. African American and Latino students cluster in one area, Asians in another. To be honest, it just seems like a place rich white kids go when they have no direction in their life and want to voice their opinions loudly. If you're not liberal, you may as well sit and be quiet, because among the student body that just isn't tolerated. As far as sexual orientation goes, everyone's welcome.

Jan 20, 2012

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Diversity at University of California - Santa Cruz

Juivey11

'15

Pre-Medicine Studies

3.5
B

Oakes

I've never come across any challenges to diversity and everyone at Santa Cruz is very accepting (we have to be, there are some very unique people here). Still, all the ethnic minorities congregate in Oakes College. They're not forced to, but that's the stereotype and that's where most minorities end up living their first year. It makes it hard to mingle.

Dec 07, 2011

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Page 1 of 11

Photos of University of California - Santa Cruz's Diversity

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University of California - Santa Cruz - Avid ActivistsAvid Activists
Photo by heelliot
Avid Activists UCSC is well known for its protests and activism. On March 4, 2010, hundreds of students rallied together in the Quarry Plaza (seen above) and proceeded to walk down to the base of campus to block it off. The protest was in opposition to recent budget cuts that resulted in increased student fees during the winter of 2010.
Link to this photo
Photo by heelliot
University of California - Santa Cruz - Sustainable Student ActivismSustainable Student Activism
Photo by heelliot
Sustainable Student Activism On March 4, 2010, hundreds of students expressed their frustration with the recent increase in student fees by striking at the base of campus. The students promoted sustainability as they voiced their frustration by displaying signs that read things such as "Hike Mountains, Not Fees." They also had a bike-powered microphone for speakers to use during the rally (seen above).
Link to this photo
Photo by heelliot
University of California - Santa Cruz - Kresge's KC the OwlKresge's KC the Owl
Photo by heelliot
Kresge's KC the Owl The campus is divided into 10 different colleges. Everyone is a Banana Slug, but Kresge College actually has its own mascot (it's the only college that has another mascot). Here you see KC the owl preparing to greet students on move-in day. He comes out on special occasions throughout the year!
Link to this photo
Photo by heelliot

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

Santa Cruz is known as a very gay-friendly place. It is common to see openly gay couples and people since the gay and lesbian community really thrives here. There are many organizations on campus that fight for the gay and lesbian community. The currently active, student-led organizations are Bi the Way, The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Intersex Network, Queer Geeks, Queers of Color, and CLUH.

Political Activity

Political groups and activities are plentiful at UCSC. Every month, there seem to be rallies and speakers in the central area of campus. Many political groups come and go, but some prominent ones on campus are CALPIRG, the International Socialist Organization of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Peace and Education Network, and the Student Environmental Center. While they are a minority group in Santa Cruz, the College Republicans are there to represent the other side of many issues.

Economic Status

UC Santa Cruz, like most UC schools, is a very economically diverse school. Students come from all types of backgrounds and are all accepted within the UCSC community. Aside from various programs that appeal to the economically disadvantaged, there is no way of knowing a students’ economic background. Although UCSC scholarships used to be prevalent, current funding to state schools has led to scholarship and finical aid cutbacks.

Most Common Religions

It doesn’t seem like there is an overall religious presence on the UCSC campus. Diverse religious activity does, however, occur from time to time. The Jewish community at UCSC is prominent, and they run a publication on campus and are always advertising events. The religious clubs and organizations on campus include: the Buddhist Society, Campus Bible Fellowship, Faith Education Action and Service Together, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Jewish Student Union, Muslim Student Alliance, and the Zionist Organization of America.

Minority Clubs on Campus

Active minority clubs are in abundance at UCSC. Since the campus is predominantly white, it seems that there is a lot of mobilization within minority racial groups and lots of clubs and organizations to provide a community feel for everybody. The organizations include: African American Theatre Arts Troupe, African Black Student Alliance (ABSA), African Black Women United, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, Asian/Pacific Islander Student Association, Black Men’s Alliance, Black Sistas United, Chinese Student Association, Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Colors in Action, Filipino Student Association, Grupo Folklorico Los Mexicas, Indian Student Organization, Iranian Student Network, Japanese American Student Association, Korean American Student Union, Lao Asian Organization, Las Girlfriends, Middle East Education Coalition, Mixed Ethnicities Student Headquarters, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlans, People of the Islands, Puerto Rican Islanders Student Association, Rainbow Theatre, Thai American Group, Thai Friend Forum, Third World and Native American Student Collection Press, Vietnamese Student Association, Women’s Ensemble Theater

Did You Know?

UCSC has a long history of protests, but one had an especially ignominious ending. A protest over People’s Park in Berkeley had brought a camp-in to the lawn of University House, and administrators had spent hours in negotiations, finally persuading campers to leave. But as protesters packed up, then-Chancellor Dean McHenry decided to take matters into his own hands and turned the sprinklers on the protesters. Needless to say, negotiators were quickly back at square one (ucsc.edu).

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at UCSC

Name: Alexandra Iorfino

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

Major: Politics and Psychology

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