Prospective Students
Dear Prospective Banana Slugs,
On behalf of the Undocumented Student Services Program (USS) under the umbrella of the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), we are pleased to invite you to participate in our summer programming taking place under IGNITE the Student Success and Equity (SSE) summer transition program. Inspiring Growth, Nurturing Innovation, and Transforming Education (IGNITE), is designed to support and guide students in their transition to the university, as well as provide a general introduction to the people and resources that will help new students flourish.
Through this program, we will host multiple interactive activities and workshops that help equip first-year students with UCSC resources, connect with your Student Success and Equity team, and unpack your new journey as a Banana Slug.
If selected for IGNITE 2025-2026, you will partake in the following activities:
Summer
- Connect virtually with mentors and Student Success and Equity Staff
- Participate in virtual workshops designed to support your transition to UC Santa Cruz
Fall
- Participate in a five day in-person experience introducing you to behind-the-scenes resources on campus
- Enjoy workshops and excursions with faculty and staff who support our definition of student success and strive for achievement.
- Connect with other future Banana Slug Students!
Interested? Find out more by going to our website tinyurl.com/sseignite or join our June information session.
- Wednesday, June 11, 2025
- 6 p.m. Pacific Time
- Register here!
To learn more about USS programs and services, you can visit our Programs and Resources Guide webpage by clicking here.
For any questions regarding the UCSC Summer Orientation, please visit the following website: http://orientation.ucsc.edu/summer/.
Historical Context:
For the last 13 years, Undocumented Student Services at UC Santa Cruz has coordinated and facilitated the 540% Slug Extended Orientation program. This program was initiated to address the unique needs and challenges undocumented students face as they enter a four-year university. It is designed to prepare both first-year frosh and first-year transfer undocumented students to transition smoothly to the university and build a strong and supportive network of undocumented students at UC Santa Cruz.
Starting this Summer 2025, we have combined efforts with other campus units to be a stronger resource for students and will continue to support incoming undocumented students through IGNITE.
Quotes from past 540% Slug Extended Orientation participants:
Sincerely,
Undocumented Student Services (USS)
Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
Division of Student Affairs and Success
University of California, Santa Cruz
Email: eopab540@ucsc.edu
