UC Santa Cruz has matured dramatically from the small, idealistic campus that you may have heard about 20 or 30 years ago. While keeping its forward-thinking approach, the campus has matured into a premier research institution where undergraduates have the chance to learn from some of the best minds in the country. Following are examples of changes that UC Santa Cruz has instituted recently:

The Jack Baskin School of Engineering, UC Santa Cruz's first professional school

The Jack Baskin School of Engineering was established in 1997 and has quickly become a leader in the interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research that is most relevant today, such as the Human Genome Project. Current projects at the Baskin School of Engineering focus on subjects such as bioengineering, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology. The School of Engineering web site.

Grading system

Beginning with students entering in fall 2001, all undergraduates receive grades. More about the grading system.

Campus sustainability

UCSC has emerged as a leader in campus sustainability, with award-winning dining hall and transportation programs, and LEED "gold"-rated buildings.

Selectivity

UC Santa Cruz's popularity has forced the campus to become more selective in its freshman admissions policies, starting with first-year students for fall 2003. More about selectivity and comprehensive review.