Campus Resources

Ask a Slug is a peer-support (student-led) network designed to connect you with campus resources that will best address your questions.

No matter the kind of assistance you need, you can Ask a Slug for help!

If you are struggling with financials, housing, food insecurity or do not have the equipment you need to complete classes online, please contact Slug Support at the Dean of Students' office. Learn more about the program at this Slug Support Program Overview page.

If you have questions or would like more information on the Slug Support Program, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 831.459.4446 or email deanofstudents@ucsc.edu.

UCSC Resource Centers offer counter-spaces for students who are queer, trans, nonbinary, womxn, and people of color, as well as impact institutional policies and campus climate. The Resource Centers engages the broader campus on issues and challenges facing our communities, and provide programs, physical spaces, and services to foster student’s academic, personal, and professional growth, through community-based leadership development.

• Resource Centers Contact Information

• Finding the Resource Centers on campus

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides UC Santa Cruz students with a wide range of mental health and wellness services and is open for telehealth. Counseling services are available for any registered UCSC student and are confidential. There is no out-of-pocket fee for CAPS services, and you don't need UC SHIP or CruzCare to be seen at CAPS.

• CAPS Contact Information

• CAPS Phone: (831) 459-2628

Your access to the materials and activities in this course is important! The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides a variety of accommodations and services to currently enrolled UC Santa Cruz students to support them in making the most of their educational experience. 

Visit the DRC's Services and Accommodations page to learn more. Both permanent disabilities and temporary medical conditions qualify for services.

• Email: drc@ucsc.edu

• Phone: (831) 459-2089

• DRC Contact Information

For cross-campus students, this UC Disability Service Resources page lists homepages, emails and phone numbers for all UC campuses.

The university has instituted a number of measures designed to protect its community from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other related prohibited conduct. Information about the Title IX Office​, the ​online reporting link​, applicable campus resources​, reporting responsibilities, the ​UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and more can be found on the Title IX Office's website.

UC Santa Cruz's Title IX/Sexual Harassment Office is located at 105 Kerr Hall. In addition to the online reporting option, you can contact the Title IX Office by calling 831.459.2462.

UCSC students can borrow laptops or chargers for free from self-service kiosks, located on the second floors of McHenry Library and the Science & Engineering Library. Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit this ITS page for detailed information on the laptop loan service, specifications, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Students have access to a range of essential software, like Microsoft 365 programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Adobe Creative Suite. Additional software options are tailored to specific academic needs, ensuring students have the digital resources necessary for their studies and creative endeavors.

View the full list of student software at this ITS page.

The Writing Center is available to undergraduates and graduate students. Bring us your budding ideas, your developing thoughts, your unpunctuated drafts, or your final polishing needs! Make an appointment with the Writing Center to get help with your writing.

LSS is a program with tutors, mentors, SI leaders, MSI Learning Assistants, Student Office Assistants, and professional staff committed to narrowing achievement gaps at UC Santa Cruz. We offer all UCSC undergraduate students academic support services (like MSI, Small Group Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and writing tutoring). Visit the LSS homepage for more information.

Visit the Bay Tree Campus Store website to order textbooks and other course materials.

The Bay Tree Campus Store sells branded merchandise like shirts, hats and other apparel and gifts. It also sells other things you might need like backpacks, notebooks, and Apple products.

The Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) is a resource to support your digital assignments. The Digital Scholarship offers spaces, equipment, software, and staff to support your adventures applying digital methods and tools in your classwork, your teaching, and your research projects.

Visit the DSC website to learn more about the department, look through guides, or learn more about upcoming workshops.

• Email: digitalscholarship@ucsc.edu

Our campus has diverse array of student organizations and clubs, ranging from interest-based groups that cater to hobbies and academic pursuits to identity-focused clubs that celebrate and support various cultures and communities. Connect with others who share your passions, explore new interests, or find a supportive space.

Learn more about SOAR/Student Media/Cultural Arts and Diversity (SOMeCA) at their website, or view all student organizations active this year.

Career Success provides career coaching for students and alumni, organizes career fairs, and collaborates with various partners for recruitment events and workshops. It facilitates experiential learning through programs  and oversees on-campus hiring and new hire onboarding. Its website serves as a resource center with guides, job boards, and other career tools.

Banana Slugs changing the world, wherever they are, however they can!

The UC Santa Cruz Library Guides are collections of resources in your field of research. There are also additional guides on library services, such as interlibrary loans and collections.

Are you an international student who is new to UC Santa Cruz? If so, the Global Mentorship Program will connect you with an international student mentor who can give you an insider’s guide to being a student at UC Santa Cruz. Your mentor will help you connect with other international students, get access to community events, and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

If you’re experiencing technical difficulties, try these common troubleshooting techniques first:

• Make sure your browser is updated. Chrome, Firefox or Edge are the recommended browsers. Safari is incompatible with Canvas and many other websites.

• Try another browser to see if the issue only exists in your primary browser. If the issue is only with your primary browser: try clearing your cache or disability extensions.

• Turn your computer off and on again.

If the problem persists, contact Information Technology Services (ITS) for support:

• Submit an online ticket for help

• Email: help@ucsc.edu

• Phone: (831) 459-4357

One way to make sure you have complete access to all resources at UC Santa Cruz is to install and use the university's VPN (virtual private network), which allows you use the internet as if you were on the UC Santa Cruz campus. This is how you do it:

1. Download the VPN Client using your CruzID and Gold password.

2. Install and launch the VPN.

3. To establish a VPN connection, type vpn.ucsc.edu into the connect box then enter your username (CruzID) and password (Gold password).

Visit this ITS page for tips on logging into UCSC accounts and systems with multi-factor authentication.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) used by UC Santa Cruz. Visit this Canvas page to learn more about Canvas, including: important features, how to use the Canvas Student app, available accessibility tools, and a series of getting started videos for students.

How do I get help with Canvas?

Click the Help button from Canvas menu to search Canvas Student guides, chat with Canvas support, or call the support line (844) 215-6973. Chat and phone support are available 24/7.

You can also email canvas.help@ucsc.edu to create a ticket with ITS.

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a web conferencing tool used for online meetings. You’ll likely use Zoom to talk to your instructor or TAs during office hours or other synchronous online meetings. To learn more about Zoom visit this Zoom page.

How do I get help with Zoom?

For Zoom help, visit  Zoom's help site or their catalog of Zoom Video Tutorials. 

You can also contact ITS for support: submit a ticket online, send an email to help@ucsc.edu, or call: (831) 459-4357.

What is YuJa?

YuJa is the media management system for UC Santa Cruz. You might encounter videos in YuJa if your instructor records their lectures, or they have pre-recorded videos in their course. 

The YuJa video player has additional features beyond a standard video player, like the ability to take notes or search for keywords in the transcript. Visit this YuJa page to learn more about YuJa video player features and quiz instructions.

How can I get help with YuJa?

For troubleshooting or to report issues with YuJa, email yuja.help@ucsc.edu. Include the name of the course, the name of the video (or assignment/quiz), and any error messages or screenshots of the issue. 

What is Hypothesis?

Hypothesis is an collaborative annotation tool designed to help you engage more deeply with texts and readings. It's like writing notes in the margins of a text digitally, and all of your classmates can read and respond to posted annotations. Visit this Hypothesis page to learn more about this tool.

How do I get help with Hypothesis?

If you are encountering issues with Hypothesis, first try to access from another browser (Chrome or Firefox is recommended).
If the issue persists, email canvas.help@ucsc.edu or support@hypothes.is. Include your course, the name of the assignment and any screenshots of the issue. 

What is Gradescope?

Gradescope is an online homework/exam tool that allows your instructors to give grades and feedback on your assignments digitally. It might also be used to score bubble-sheet exams. Visit this page to learn more about Gradescope.

How do I get help with Gradescope?

If you are having trouble with Gradescope or submitting an assignment, first try an alternative browser to see if the issue persists (Chrome or Firefox is recommended). Contact your instructor and describing the issue you are having, include screenshots. 

Visit the Bay Tree Campus Store website to order textbooks and other course materials.

The Bay Tree Campus Store sells branded merchandise like shirts, hats and other apparel and gifts. It also sells other things you might need like backpacks, notebooks, and Apple products.