Slug Summer Send-Off Series
Welcoming our newest
Banana Slugs
Slug Summer Send-Offs are an opportunity for incoming first-year and transfer students, along with their families, to connect with fellow Slugs in their local communities before arriving on campus in the fall. Join us for refreshments, icebreakers, and a Q&A with UCSC students and staff from the Division of Student Affairs & Success, Admissions, Orientation and University Advancement.
Registration for 2025 Slug Summer Send-Offs is now open.
2025 Send-Off Locations & Dates
Virtual
June 24
August 26
Alameda County
July 26
Contra Costa County
July 26
Fresno
July 26
Los Angeles
August 2
August 3
Orange County
July 20
Riverside
August 1
Sacramento Valley
July 12
July 13
Salinas
July 27
San Diego
July 19
San Francisco
July 27
Silicon Valley
June 28
June 29
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Summer Send-Offs mandatory for incoming students?
Send-Offs are optional events designed to welcome students and families. None of the information provided at Send-Offs is exclusive to these events. Our goal is to help our incoming students and their families feel comfortable and excited about starting their first year at UCSC!
Are Send-Offs the same as New Student Orientation?
No. These events are primarily designed to serve as community-building social gatherings. All incoming students must participate in New Student Orientation and more information on the onboarding process can be found here.
Why are these events hosted by Alumni Engagement?
While you’re only a student for a few years, you’ll be an Alum forever! The Alumni Association is an amazing resource to make the most of your connection to UC Santa Cruz, and we want to introduce ourselves early on.
What is the suggested dress code for Send-Offs?
There is no formal dress code for UCSC Slug Summer Send-Offs. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable, appropriate clothing. Bring out your Banana Slug attire!
How can families get involved in the UCSC community?
- Visit the Slug Families website at families.ucsc.edu
- Plan to participate in Family Weekend
Will a UCSC representative attend these events?
At least one member of the Alumni Engagement team and one member of College Student Life will be present for all of the Send-Offs. Additional staff from the Office of Admissions or the Office of Development may join the celebration.
What other resources are available for incoming Slug families?
Why aren’t there any Send-Offs in my area?
The Send-Off team does our best to accommodate as many students and families as possible with these events which means hosting in areas with the greatest number of incoming students. Unfortunately, this means we may not be able to host an event in your area.
We are hosting two virtual Send-Offs this year for those unable to join us in person – June 24 and August 26. Recordings of these events will be available as well.
If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring a Send-Off for local incoming students please email sendoffs@ucsc.edu.
Are Send-Offs open to transfer students?
Absolutely! We often have transfer students join us at Send-Offs, although the majority of attendees are first-years.
STARRS (Services for Transfer Re-Entry and Resilient Scholars) will be available to answer questions at this year’s virtual sessions, though they will not attend any in-person Send-Offs.
Have additional questions about Send-Offs? Please contact sendoffs@ucsc.edu. For general questions about UC Santa Cruz, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions FAQ page.
Seeking hosts and sponsors
Hosts open their home, office, or an alternative location (such as a restaurant or private club) to welcome a group of incoming students and their families. The location should be suitable for at least 50 attendees. As a host, your role is to provide light refreshments and serve as a warm and welcoming ambassador for UC Santa Cruz, while University staff manage the program activities. Interested? Please complete the host interest form below.
If hosting at home isn’t an option, consider becoming a sponsor! Sponsored Send-Offs are held at local venues, with all event planning managed by UCSC staff. As a sponsor, you’ll attend the event and represent UC Santa Cruz as a friendly ambassador. A Full Sponsorship gift of $2500 will help cover the total expense of a Summer Send-Off, but contributions at any level help sustain this vital program for our incoming students and their families. Gifts can be made at the link below.
Questions? Contact us at sendoffs@ucsc.edu.
Photos from past Send-Offs
