Slug Summer Send-Off Series
Welcoming our newest
Banana Slugs
Slug Summer Send-Offs are an opportunity for incoming first-years, transfers, and their families to connect with fellow Slugs in their local communities before they arrive on campus in the fall. All are invited to 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.
These events are hosted by current UCSC families, alumni, and friends of the University. We are currently looking for hosts or sponsors for 2024 Send-Offs.
Registration for 2024 Summer Send-Offs will open soon.
2024 Send-Off Locations & Dates
Virtual
TBA
Santa Clara
June 22
June 23
Oakland
June 29
Contra Costa
June 29
San Francisco
June 30
Sacramento
July 13
Orange County
July 20
July 28
San Diego
July 21
Los Angeles
July 26
July 27
August 2
August 3
August 4
Fresno
August 10
Salinas
August 11
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
- Participate in student’s College’s Family Days
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. All students are invited to join us for a virtual Send-Off.
Have additional questions about Send-Offs? Please contact alumni@ucsc.edu. For general questions about UC Santa Cruz, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions FAQ page.
Seeking hosts and sponsors for 2024
Hosts are asked to open their home, office, or an alternative location (restaurant, private club, etc.) to a group of at least 50 local incoming students and their families. The host’s role is to provide light refreshments and serve as a friendly ambassador for UC Santa Cruz while University staff facilitate the program itself.
If hosting an event at home isn’t feasible for your family, sponsorships are now available! Sponsored Send-Offs take place at local venues, with all of the planning being managed by UCSC staff. The sponsor’s role involves attending the event and serving as a friendly ambassador for UC Santa Cruz. A Full Sponsorship gift of $2500 will help cover the total expense of a Summer Send-Off, but a gift of any level will help us continue to deliver this critical program for our incoming students and their families.
Interested? Contact us at alumni@ucsc.edu to learn more about host and sponsorship opportunities.
Photos from past Send-Offs
