Hello parents and families,
Thank you again for taking the time to review the Triton Family Connection e-Newsletter. This will be our last edition for the academic year as I take a newsletter hiatus for the summer. Have no fear, however, I will be here all summer — answering your calls, responding to your e-mails, attending orientation, and planning Family Weekend for October.
I took time — along with colleagues from across the university — to review your feedback provided in the Parent & Family Survey. Please see the results on our Parents & Families Web site. I have already begun to work with campus partners on your suggestions and frustrations. I will be updating our site regularly with clarifying information about policies and university initiatives. I want to again thank everyone for their honest feedback. Please know if you have concerns you want to bring forward you can always e-mail parents@ucsd.edu or call the Family Helpline, 858/534-7273.
Congratulations to those families with students graduating — and for those continuing their time at UC San Diego, I hope you have a great summer together.
Best,
Cara
UC Regents Approve 2009–2010 Student Fees
On-Campus Move-Out Details
Recycle and Donate During Move-Out
Commencement 2009 Information
Summer Session 2009: It Is Not Too Late!
Why Students Choose UCSD: The Importance of Reputation, Rankings, and Web Sites
Are You the Proud Parent of a UCSD Graduate?
'Oh, the Places You'll Grow!' Bio Sci Senior Celebration
Triton Job Stimulus Career Expo
Visual Arts Events
La Jolla Playhouse Performances
SAVE THE DATE: Family Weekend 2009
First-Year Send-Offs: September 12–13, 2009
Parent & Family Fund: Providing Unrestricted Dollars for Greatest Needs
College Spotlight: Revelle College
Student Spotlight: Bassem Shoucri, Senior
Staff Spotlight: Paul Terzino, Director, University Centers
Alumnni Spotlight: Colette Rudd, B.A., 1973
Program Spotlight: Parking & Transportation
UCSD Baseball Team Concludes Season at the College World Series
Three Earn NCAA Track & Field Championships
Men's Crew Heads to National Regatta Championships
¿Preguntas? ¿Preocupaciones? ¿Algo en lo que podamos ayudar?
Join the UC San Diego Parents & Families Facebook Group
Last month Parent & Family Programs forwarded a message from Mark Yudof, University of California President, announcing the proposed increase in student fees. At the University of California Regents' meeting in May, a fee increase proposal was approved. To review details of the increase and other pertinent information regarding fee changes, see this news story from the University of California President's Office.
All on-campus residential facilities will be closing their doors on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. Families and students are asked for patience as this day will be impacted by heavy periods of traffic congestion due to the various College commencement ceremonies being held on the same day. Parking will also be at a premium. If your student can move out gradually or earlier than June 13, that would be a recommended course of action.
Students must check-out and return all keys to their home College Office of Residential Life in order to avoid additional charges. All students must vacate their rooms by Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. No exceptions will be made regarding this deadline.
The six College Residential Life Offices will coordinate campus-wide move-out efforts to help students find ways to reuse and recycle unwanted items. Residential Life Offices will provide bins from the Disabled American Veterans association for the donation of all reusable materials (clothing, furniture, books, appliances, dishes, cups, etc.), bins from Hand Up Food Pantry for food, bins from Housing, Dining, and Hospitality for recycling unusable electronics, and trash bins for everything else. Bins will be located in the residence areas of each College. Contact your student's College Residential Life Office for more information.
Commencement ceremonies for UC San Diego students graduating in Spring 2009 will take place Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, according to the following schedule:
Mike Judge, an alumnus of UC San Diego and creator behind cult films and TV shows such as "Office Space" and "King of the Hill," will serve as keynote speaker at the university's 2009 All Campus Graduation Celebration. The second-annual All Campus Graduation Celebration on June 12, 2009 will give graduating students at UC San Diego's six Colleges and alumni an opportunity to commemorate graduation in a large-scale celebration.
The All-Campus Graduation Celebration is open to graduating undergraduate and graduate students and alumni of UC San Diego. The event will kick off with an Alumni & Grad Mixer starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a ceremony where speakers will include Chancellor Marye Anne Fox; Vice Chancellor Penny Rue; Alumni Association Executive Director Armin Afsahi, '90; Student Foundation President Sarah Chang, '09; and Mike Judge, '85. Also included is a post-reception with free food, drinks, a rockin' performance by Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, and a farewell fireworks show. The first 1,000 seniors will receive a free commemorative gift.
Tickets are free for students, $10 for guests, and are available now at the UC San Diego Box Office! Free parking is available for attendees of the event and will be available at the Hopkins and Pangea parking structures.
If you need hotel accommodations near campus or have other travel questions, see the UC San Diego Visitor's Guide for more information. Many hotels in the area are offering a UC San Diego Commencement rate. Please note that advertisement of these rates does not guarantee availability or suggest endorsement of these particular hotels.
The Hilton San Diego/Del Mar is offering a rate of $89 per night when you mention you are coming for “UCSD Graduation." Call 858/764-6043 for reservations or see the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar Web site for more information.
The San Diego Marriott Del Mar is offering a $199.00 a night discount rate. With your reservation you will also receive a $100 voucher for the hotel restaurant, Arterra. Call the hotel directly at 858/523-1700 to make a reservation, mentioning "UCSD Commencement." Please note that rates are based on availability.
The Marriott La Jolla is offering a $139.00 a night rate. Please call 1/800-228-9290 and ask for the "UCSD Commencement Rate." Please note that rates are based on availability.
La Jolla Cove Suites is offering many room options for UC San Diego Commencement ranging from $99.00 to $259.00 a night. For more information and room options, call the La Jolla Cove Suites reservations line toll-free at 1/888-525-6552 and reference the "UCSD Commencement Group."
More information on commencement is available from individual Colleges or on the Commencement Web pages on TritonLink. For more information on the Senior Class activities, see the UCSD Senior Spring Web site. If you would like to see what discounts, packages, trips, or exciting activities the Alumni Association is offering, see the Alumni Association's Class of 2009 Web site.
It is not too late to register for Summer Session 2009! Session I begins Monday, June 29, 2009, and Session 2 begins Monday, August 3 — both sessions still have classes and seats available. There is also the option of the Special Session, which runs all Summer.
If you are interested in registering for Summer Session, or are already registered, remember that fees are due for Session 1 and Special Session on Monday, June 22, 2009 — before the session begins! Fees are due for Session 2 on Monday, July 27, 2009.
For questions, concerns, or to see which courses are being offered, see the Summer Session Web site.
All Colleges have different announcements about their own commencement ceremonies. Be sure to check your student's College Web site for announcements about parking, tickets, safety, and other details:
From the UC San Diego Office of Student Research and Information – Student Affairs:
Data from a recent administration of the national Freshman Survey to almost 3,800 UCSD first-year students found that over two-thirds of the respondents cited the strong academic reputation of UCSD as a primary influence on their decision to enroll. When asked about the importance of the academic reputation of the college or university, approximately 68% of new UCSD students stated this was "important" or "very important." The importance of academic reputation in the decision to enroll was somewhat lower at other public Research I universities at 64.6%, and for all public universities at 56.4%. These data suggest the importance of the perceived academic rigor and reputation of UCSD as a major factor in attracting and enrolling students. Analyses of trend data from the Freshman Survey suggest that as UCSD's national stature and rankings improve, the academic reputation and prestige of the university is increasingly attractive to prospective students and their parents/families.
According to US News and World Report, UCSD is ranked seventh in the nation among public universities. As shown in Figure 1, college rankings such as these are also influential in attracting new students to UCSD, followed by the use of university and college Web sites.
The survey also revealed other sources of information about college choice, and some differences in how men and women gather information about which college to attend. As shown in Figure 2, these sources of information included friends in high school, (24.2%), UCSD Admissions Officers (15%), and high school counselors or teachers (13%). The survey found that female first-year students were somewhat more likely to rely on the Web for information about UCSD than males. This finding was also similar to national trends.
Additional Freshman Survey responses for this and prior years are available on the Student Research and Information Web site. These data include responses from UCSD first-year students and responses from comparison institutions across the nation. Freshman Survey responses are also disaggregated by UCSD undergraduate College for additional comparative information.
Be sure your graduating student picks up a 2009 Triton Pride Pack — a cost-effective, one-stop solution for graduation essentials including: cap and gown rental, college tassel, commencement fees, membership in the UCSD Alumni Association, Senior Class Challenge participation, and UC San Diego keepsakes! More information about the Triton Pride Packs is available from the Alumni Association Web site.
Families of Biological Science graduating seniors! The Division of Biological Sciences and Biological Sciences Student Association want to celebrate your student's graduation and transition into alumni-hood at the 7th annual BSSA Senior Celebration! Join our green 'Oh, the Places You'll Grow!' celebration for food, drinks, gifts, awards, and fun! The Bio Sci Senior Celebration will take place Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Great Hall on the Eleanor Roosevelt College campus. RSVP today! This event is brought to you by the Division of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Student Association, and the 2009 Senior Spring Committee.
Students can revitalize their employment options by attending the Job Stimulus Career Expo on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in the Price Center Ballroom East, from 1:30–4:30 p.m. Make sure your student does not miss this "just in time" event to network with employers regarding anticipated job openings. As a part of the Career Services Center's "Job Search Stimulus Package," this expo is a great opportunity to meet immediate employment needs for any job seeker in a tough economy. For more information, please visit the Triton Job Stimulus Career Expo Web site.
At the Career Services Center, we recognize the impact the current economic climate may have on your UC San Diego student and graduate. Although the Career Services Center staff is confident in the continued success of your student and alumni, we invite parents and families to keep the Career Services Center as part of their student's career development. To assist your student in navigating their way through a precarious economy, we are extending access to the Career Services Center for all June 2009 graduates through the end of August. For this period, your graduate will have unlimited access to the resources they enjoyed as a UC San Diego student including Port Triton job listings, individual career, graduate and professional school advising, online assessment and interviewing tools, and much more!
Please encourage your student to take full advantage of these resources. The Career Services Center staff sincerely congratulates your student on their accomplishments at UC San Diego and wishes them continued success in all their future endeavors. For more information about the Career Services Center, please visit the Center's Web site.
From the Visual Arts Department, here are some upcoming events featuring the art work of UC San Diego students:
MFA 2009: Come to campus to see selected works by the graduating Master of Fine Arts candidates from the University of California San Diego's Department of Visual Arts. Showing at the University Art Gallery until June 28, 2009.
Liquidation: Everyone Must Go, an undergraduate Senior Art Show, will run through July 1, 2009.
Best of ICAM, Undergraduate Senior Show will run June 7–12, 2009. Information will be posted on the ICAM Web site.
For our families that live in the San Diego area or might be visiting, consider attending one of the many shows being offered at the La Jolla Playhouse. The La Jolla Playhouse is conveniently located on the UC San Diego campus. To buy tickets, see the La Jolla Playhouse Web site.
Unusual Acts of Devotion: June 2 – June 28, 2009
Spend an evening on a Greenwich Village rooftop as five neighbors chart damaged cities and damaged souls, loves lost and recovered, and the joys of simple — but enduring — acts of devotion. This play was written by Terrence McNally and is directed by Trip Cullman. Starring Doris Roberts from "Everybody Loves Raymond," Richard Thomas from "The Waltons," and Harriet Harris from "Cry-Baby." Tickets: $30–$65.
Restoration: June 23 – July 19, 2009
A La Jolla Playhouse commission, this play is set in 2004. For the 500th anniversary of his birth, one woman restored Michelangelo's David, the most beautiful man in the world. Claudia Shear writes a play illuminated with an imaginative abandon inspired by this task. A task most extraordinary, a love story most unexpected. The performance is directed by Christopher Ashley. Tickets: $30–$65.
Herringbone: August 1–30, 2009
When wunderkind George is taken under the wing of a vaudeville veteran, the path to fame takes an unexpected detour in this darkly comic, highly theatrical musical filled with quirky songs and a climatic Hollywood showdown. The performance stars Tony Award Winner BD Wong and is directed by Roger Rees. Tickets: $30–$65.
Family Weekend 2009 will be held Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, 2009. The weekend will kick off with the Chancellor's 5K on Friday, followed by exciting events Friday night, all day Saturday, and closing with brunch on Sunday morning. Based on the feedback from the Family Weekend 2008, there will be more offerings for families to enjoy the campus and surrounding communities! More details to come in hard-copy mail and by e-mail, but be sure to SAVE THE DATE for this annual campus tradition and see the Family Weekend 2009 Web site for continual updates.
In partnership with the Alumni Association, Parent & Family Programs is recruiting volunteers to assist with the First-Year Student Send-Offs, September 12–13, 2009. The First-Year Student Send-Off schedule is listed below:
Los Angeles
Saturday, September 12
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Elysian Park
835 Academy Rd., Los Angeles, CA
Orange County
Saturday, September 12
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Northwood Park
4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine, CA
Sacramento
Sunday, September 13
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Land Park – Picnic Areas GA8 and GA9
add
San Diego
Sunday, September 13
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Stonehenge (La Jolla Project), UCSD Campus
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA
San Francisco
Saturday, September 12
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Crown Beach – Sea Wind
1252 McKay Ave., Alameda, CA
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara
Saturday, September 12
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Santa Rosa Park
Santa Rosa & Oak St., San Luis Obispo, CA
Silicon Valley
Sunday, September 13
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Flood Park – Oak Shelter Picnic Area
215 Bay Rd., Menlo Park, CA
Local Alumni Association chapters host the events; we are looking for seasoned parents and family members willing to be in attendance and provide perspective as a current parent/family member. Interested parents or family members should contact Parent & Family Programs for more information: e-mail parents@ucsd.edu or call 858/534-7273.
For public universities like UC San Diego, unrestricted support — donations without condition, such as to the Parent & Family Fund — is a special gift, allowing the university a flexible pool of funds to use year-round for the greatest needs. With higher education's share of state revenue declining (currently only 12 percent of UC San Diego's total budget is from the State of California), many families choose to support the Parent & Family Fund to help enhance their student's university experience. The Parent & Family Fund was created to enrich student life and provide direct funding for each of UCSD's Six Colleges.
UC San Diego parent, Julie Zier, offers some insights on why her family gives to the university, including a recent donation matched by her husband's employer. Their son, Tristan Zier '10, is a Warren College junior majoring in Economics.
What factors go into your family's philanthropic decisions?
We feel fortunate that we are in a position to offer support. We are not making millions, but we give where we can — we feel strongly about supporting our kids' schools and making sure that they are getting a good education.
What inspired your gifts to UC San Diego?
We wanted to give where it was needed most, and that's why we gave to the Parent & Family Fund. Rather than designating our donation to a specific area, we trust the campus to figure out where the money is really needed, and to use it for the most good.
What difference has UC San Diego made in your son’s life?
Tristan's been really busy.... he is enjoying his classes, he's made a lot of friends and just got into a fraternity. He was not really sure what his major was going to be, flipping between business and science, but has decided to go the business route. Tristan is really lucky — he has already been offered a full-time position when he graduates.
What do your sons think about the tradition of philanthropy that you and your husband have established?
Our sons understand how important it is to give back. Throughout their school years, we have given. It's just the way it is.... they have grown up that way.
What is it about UCSD that resonates most with you and your family?
UC San Diego offers a great quality education, a wonderful location (Tristan loves to surf!) and a nice campus. And we enjoy reading news from all areas of campus — there is so much going on at the university, from research to music.
Why do you think others should give to UC San Diego?
It is definitely worth supporting where your children are going to school. You do not have to break the bank; even a small donation offers another means of enhancing their education. Supporting a university is so worthwhile — our kids in California need a good education; a lot is riding on our future generation.
What would you say to UC San Diego parents and families to encourage giving?
Your child is at this university. Please give unrestricted support to the Parent & Family Fund, and trust UC San Diego to use your money the best way possible for the greatest needs.
To guarantee an enhanced educational experience for all students, we invite you to join the community of parents and families who have given to the Parent & Family Fund. So far in this 2008–2009 academic year, 2,600 parents, family members, grandparents, and others have given more than $830,000 to help shape the UC San Diego experience.
Unfortunately, this represents a 10 percent decrease in charitable donations over last year. Scholarships for undergraduate students, the Model United Nations, educational partnerships with local charter schools, free bike loans, and so much more depend on the generosity of parents and families through the Parent & Family Fund. Please help us reach our $1 million Parent & Family Fund goal by making your gift before June 30, 2009.
For more information, contact Toni Tschann, Director of Parent Giving: Call 858/822-3867, e-mail tschann@ucsd.edu, or make your gift online now!
Roger Revelle was a leader in the founding of the University of California, San Diego. As a result, the first College of UC San Diego was named in his honor in 1964. Revelle College takes pride in its heritage and exposes students to an academic core curriculum which is shaped by traditional liberal arts topics. The College is rooted in significant traditions and a commitment to shaping students as well-rounded scholars. As the academic year comes to a close, I met with Renee Barnett Terry, Dean of Student Affairs, Mirasol Española, Dean of Academic Advising, and Jane Wehrle, Assistant Dean of Academic Advising, to discuss the College's history and future.
Effective July 1, 2009 Professor Dan Wulbert will step down as Provost of Revelle College after six years. Provost Wulbert was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Grant to conduct research and lecture in southwest India during the 2009–2010 academic year, after which he will return to teaching in the Department of Mathematics at UC San Diego. Therefore, the Revelle community will welcome Don Wayne, Professor and Chair of the Department of Literature, as the new Revelle College Provost. Read more about Professor Wayne here.
Revelle College celebrates significant traditions each year, including the oldest UCSD tradition, the Watermelon Drop. The Watermelon Drop has been a Revelle tradition since 1965, initiated by students in a physics class to identify where the furthest piece of watermelon would land after being dropped from a seven-story building. The event also includes a pageant and the election of a "Watermelon Queen." Newer traditions to build the community are the Ode to the Avocado and The Ellen Revelle Annual Senior Tea. The Ode to the Avocado celebrated its eighth year this past May and encourages friendly competition among students to make their version of guacamole, enjoy avocado milkshakes, grilled avocados, avocado golf, and other fun events. For the last six years, Mrs. Ellen Revelle hosted Revelle College seniors and prominent student leaders at her home for "high tea." The Ellen Revelle Annual Senior Tea took on greater importance and value to the Revelle College community with the passing of Mrs. Revelle on May 6, 2009. Dean Barnett Terry described the event as a "cherished tradition" and looks ahead to carrying forward the tradition in Mrs. Revelle's honor. A community-building event that took on additional importance this year was the Town Hall Meeting, traditionally held at the beginning of the academic year. This year, students were presented with a Revelle College lapel pin, symbolizing their membership in the College community. The addition of the pinning ceremony brought students together in a special way and began a new tradition at the College.
As the co-curricular activities seek to create community and understand the importance of the Revelle family legacy, the curricular requirements reinforce this message by creating the "renaissance person." Students who graduate from Revelle College will have completed a rigorous set of courses that are known for breadth and depth. Courses include the humanities sequence, calculus, natural sciences, social sciences, American cultures, fine arts, and language. Students are also required to complete 12 units in a field non-contiguous to their major. Revelle College students can also create their own major. The "Individual Major" program, open only to Revelle students, enables students to craft a major to their interests and future goals. Marisol explained that the most popular subjects include health care, law and society, and social issues.
I asked both Renee and Mirasol what their advice would be for our parent and family community:
Help students find balance in all aspects of campus life — To be the best scholar and community member possible, students should be encouraged to find balance in academic commitments and involvement outside the classroom.
Encourage students to seek help early — Some students wait until they are on academic probation or in crisis to express a need for help. When listening to your student, try to understand if they are struggling academically or emotionally. If you feel they are struggling, direct them to the College staff for assistance.
Be open to change — When students enter college many come with specific ideas about majors and future goals. Those ideas very well might change soon after the student arrives to campus. Be open to and supportive of those changes. This support will enable a student to be successful in all aspects of college life.
Learn about the resources available on campus as informed and resourceful family members.
To learn more about Revelle College, see the College's Web site.
Meet Bassem Shoucri, a Revelle College senior about to graduate in the coming weeks. Bassem is Bioengineering major, who was accepted in the Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) program. The BS/MS program enables Bassem to earn both a Bachelors and Masters degree in five years. Bassem expressed interest in the option by way of speaking with Geert Schmid-Schonbein, a faculty member in the Jacobs School of Engineering. Dr. Schmid-Schonbein later became his advisor for the program. Bassem described the coursework as "academically tough." This seems like an understatement considering he is not only completing his undergraduate degree but also taking graduate courses, working in a lab conducting research, and maintaining a social existence on campus.
While working toward this huge achievement of two degrees in five years, Bassem works in a UC San Diego affiliated lab in Hillcrest as part of the medical center. His work in the lab is not only a part of the BS/MS course requirements, it also become his Master's thesis. The lab research Bassem is part of focuses on the inflammatory processes that accompany patients with high blood pressure. Bassem was connected to the lab by merely talking to Dr. Schmid-Schonbein. He admitted he was "shy" to approach him; however, by making that connection he now has clear direction and support for his future endeavors.
Bassem's passions extend beyond Bioengineering, as he is Music minor playing both the French horn and trumpet. He has been playing both instruments since he was in elementary school and wanted to continue learning when attending UC San Diego. Bassem played in the UC San Diego Chamber Orchestra for two years and the Jazz Ensemble during his third year. He explained that he felt supported to pursue this interest and get involved as non-Music major.
Originally from the Los Angeles area, Bassem has enjoyed the support of his parents and family while attending UC San Diego. When he talked about his initial interest in the BS/MS program, he explained he first called his father to assure he had his support. He described his family placing a great value on undergraduate education and that he never takes his family for granted. It was clear this support has allowed Bassem to take advantage of many opportunities, inside and outside the classroom.
Bassem's favorite spot on campus is at the top of the Price Center East stairs hovering above the Town Square area and lots of activity. As a Revelle traditionalist, his favorite tradition on campus is the Watermelon Drop.
Meet Paul Terzino, Director of the University Centers at UC San Diego. Many of you may be wondering, what are the "University Centers?" Paul describes the University Centers as the "unifying facilities of campus, the campus living room." The Centers encompass the facilities, programs, and services of the Price Center and the Student Center, serving students, staff, faculty, and visiting community members. Paul oversees all aspects of both Centers which host more than 12,000 events and programs each year, welcomes 20,000 visitors each day, offers 15 restaurants, staffing 44 professional staff, and 200 student staff members. The Student Center is home to three student co-ops, which are completely student-owned and operated. The Price Center is open 24 hours and many students converge on the Center when the Libraries close at 2:00 a.m. in search of a bite to eat and a new place to study. With the addition of The Loft — UCSD's new social lounge and performance space — the Price Center has become the hub of late-night socializing and entertainment for students. The University Centers has its own programs department that produces more than 300 events a year including concerts, films, lectures, dances, art exhibits, and special programming during finals week called "De-Stress Fest." I met with Paul to understand more about how the University Centers serve campus and what initiatives are on the horizon now that the major expansion and renovations of both the Price Center and Student Center are complete.
Paul Terzino has been with the UC San Diego community for three years, beginning as the Associate Director of the University Centers and then soon after, being named Director. Paul completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Indiana University. While a student at IU, Paul worked in the Indiana Memorial Union, one of the largest student unions in the world. He began his career in student affairs by way of student activities, eventually coming full circle to work in student unions/centers. Paul sees the University Centers as a strong enhancer of student life, not only through the programming (films, concerts, and art exhibits), but also by offering facilities where students can relax and connect with each other. To ensure the University Centers continue to contribute to the mission of the university and satisfy students' needs, Paul works closely with the University Centers Advisory Board (UCAB) which is largely populated by students. UCAB conducts ongoing assessments of students' needs and evaluates services currently provided by the Centers. The feedback provided by UCAB is essential to identify needed services and recruit vendors for available retail space in the Centers. UCAB input and general student feedback is also contributing to the evolution of the Price Center East. Some students felt the space was not "warm" enough or as welcoming as original areas of the Price Center. Therefore, Paul and his staff are adding more interior plants, more upholstered lounge furniture, artwork, and a student mural project in collaboration with the Cross Cultural Center. Plus, a "community art-making mural" titled "Family Tree," was recently installed in the Price Center East Atrium featuring leaves created by UC San Diego community members for a UC San Diego Family Tree.
According to Paul, both students and the University Centers are concerned with sustainability issues. Therefore, the University Centers are working to lessen their carbon footprint, by installing solar trees on the Price Center West roof and making facility adjustments to enhance the sustainability of the Centers. Being that sustainability is a core value of the university, the Sustainability staff will move to the center of campus when the new Sustainability Resource Center opens in Price Center West this Fall. Students and community members will have quick access to resources and educational materials.
To learn more about the University Centers visit the Center's Web site. For a bird's eye view of Price Center West activity, check out the live Price Center West Plaza Web camera:
Meet Colette Rudd, a Biology major and Muir College alumna. Colette and her husband Marion (another UC San Diego alumnus) live in San Mateo, California. They have two children, also UC alumni. Colette is a highly involved member of the UC San Diego Alumni Association, serving on the Board of Directors for the last five years. Colette helped to start the San Francisco/Silicon Valley Chapter of the Alumni Association, which has now been split into two chapters due to the growth in UC San Diego Bay Area alumni. Colette was part of the group that organized the first annual First Year Send-Off picnic in 1990. As our families who review the newsletter know, we are recruiting volunteers to help provide advice and spend time with our new students and families at the San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bay Area First Year Send-Off picnics.
Colette's close tie to UC San Diego stemmed from a positive undergraduate experience. As a student, Colette said she "was fortunate to have hands-on experience in the lab working on research projects in chemistry and biology. I was a teaching assistant for a freshman chemistry lab class as there was a shortage of graduate students. As a senior I was able to take graduate level classes. I am sure this helped me be accepted to graduate school in Molecular Biology at UCLA and prepared me for a career in scientific research." Colette is currently an associate director of toxicology at XenoPort, Inc. in Santa Clara, California, and is working on new drugs for neurological diseases.
Outside the classroom Colette also enjoyed being a part of the UC San Diego community. As a first year student she joined the sailing team and lived in the Muir Residence Halls the year the facility opened. Colette made "lifelong friends" on campus, including her future husband. Her experiences at UC San Diego ultimately inspired her to volunteer her time, not only for the Alumni Association, but also for PTAs and scientific societies. Most recently she has been president of the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, a public garden in Palo Alto focused on horticultural education.
I asked Colette what she would recommend to our parents and family members: "I would encourage them to visit the campus and Web site to learn more about all the things that UCSD is doing that ultimately benefit all of us."
For more information about the UC San Diego Alumni Association, see the Association's Web site.
Many families expressed frustration with options for parking and transportation to campus in the Parent & Family Survey. Therefore, to illustrate the many alternatives to travel to campus and the reasons parking is limited, I asked Samuel Corbett from Parking & Transportation to write the following piece.
UC San Diego is recognized as a national leader in utilizing green technologies and implementing sustainable practices to reduce its carbon footprint and to teach a new generation of students how to solve problems associated with global climate change. Since the transportation sector is responsible for a large percentage of national energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, UC San Diego is committed to providing viable alternative transportation choices for campus commuters, which include an extensive campus shuttle system, city transit routes, bicycle routes and secure racks, vanpool routes, preferential carpool parking, Triton Bikes bicycle-sharing program, and Zipcar car-sharing program. To improve transit service to campus and the surrounding community, UC San Diego is also working closely with regional transportation agencies to implement Light Rail Transit (trolley) and Bus Rapid Transit service.
UC San Diego students have free, unlimited bus access to nearby communities. Currently, eight public bus routes serve campus: three from downtown and one each from Fashion Valley, Mira Mesa/Sorrento Valley, La Mesa, University City, and coastal North County. In addition, the campus subsidizes $47 student quarterly transit passes that allow unlimited public transit use throughout San Diego County.
UC San Diego operates the third largest transit system in San Diego County and is in the process of transitioning the entire bus fleet to electric CNG hybrids. The campus operates seven shuttle routes:
A shuttle running between the La Jolla campus and Hillcrest Medical Center
The Campus Loop shuttle, which travels the campus perimeter
Scripps Institution of Oceanography shuttle connecting upper and lower campus
Mesa Graduate Student Housing shuttle
Cityshuttle routes (Arriba and Nobel) connecting the campus and the University City residential and commercial areas
East/Regents shuttle, which connects peripheral parking lots with the center of campus, and
Coaster shuttles that transport passengers between campus and nearby commuter rail stations.
All shuttles are equipped with bicycle racks and GPS units that provide customers with real-time location and arrival information.
Visit the UC San Diego Alternative Transportation Programs Web site for more information.
UC San Diego strongly discourages students from bringing nonessential vehicles to campus. However, if students must park a vehicle on campus, mandatory parking fees apply which are used to fund UC San Diego's self-supporting parking system. Students can purchase annual parking permits online at the Parking Web site using their Student Sign-On accounts. Families with students purchasing parking permits should be aware that parking has become less available due to increased construction on campus, and the nearest parking lot may be remote and accessible by shuttle during limited hours.
For more information on Parking & Transportation, visit the department Web site.
Coach Dan O'Brien's Triton baseball team captured the CCAA regular season and tournament championships, the NCAA West Region title, and went to the NCAA Division II College World Series for the first time in UC San Diego history. UCSD, which went into the tournament ranked No. 1 in the nation, eventually reached the final four of the eight team NCAA tournament in Cary, NC before being eliminated, 5–3, by No. 3 Emporia State last Thursday. O'Brien's club finished the season with a 41–15 record. Junior shortstop Vance Albitz and sophomore pitcher Tim Shibuya both earned All-American honors and eight players were selected to the all-conference team. O'Brien was named CCAA Coach of the Year.
Coach Darcy Ahner's UCSD Women's Track & Field team garnered third place at the recent NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships in San Angelo, TX. It was UCSD's best-ever national finish. Two weeks earlier, the Triton women had claimed their fifth consecutive CCAA crown with the UCSD men placing second at the league meet. UCSD's NCAA exploits were highlighted by three individual national championships: Juniors Danielle Thu (hammer throw), Linda Rainwater (high jump), and Christine Merrill (400 hurdles) all set new school records while winning their respective events.
Coach Zach Johnson's Men's Rowing team will be heading to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championships for the first time. During the regular season, Johnson's varsity eight, consisting of Andrew Hilton, Ryan Andre, JayDee Morgan, Jeff Collett, Kris Grey, Karam Badran, Nate Morgan, Justin Gordon, and coxswain Cameran Bittucci, won the Cal Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic as well as the Newport Regatta. The Tritons were second to Gonzaga at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Assn. (WIRA) Championships. The IRA Championships will take place June 4–7, 2009 on Sacramento's Lake Natoma.
Si tiene cualquier pregunta, o preocupación, favor de comunicarse con Programas de Padres y Familias. Con el fin del año escolar próximamente, nos puede contactar con cualquier pregunta que tenga sobre Graduaciones, Mudanzas, o cualquier otra pregunta o inquietud. Contáctenos por teléfono al 858/534-7273 o por correo electrónico parents@ucsd.edu.
See our Facebook Group and join! It will be another avenue to receive updates, connect with one another and UC San Diego staff and faculty.
Even though the students are done with the academic year, staff members are still on campus to answer your questions and help with any concerns. Please contact Parent & Family Programs, 858/534-7273 or parents@ucsd.edu. Also, continue to check our Parents & Families Web site for continual updates and information.