Banana Slug Day 2026 Has Passed
Thank you to our many guests and families for making this a successful event! Please check this website in late winter/early spring 2027 for information on Banana Slug Day 2027.
Deals & Discounts
20% discount off one apparel or gift item! For Banana Slug Day, the store will be located in the College Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room and will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Banana Slug Day.
Free admission for admitted students (additional visitors pay regular admission). Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Come learn about the cutting-edge ocean research happening at our Coastal Science Campus. The Seymour Center offers pathways into ocean science through internships, volunteer opportunities, and other experiential learning programs.
Free admission for admitted students (additional visitors pay regular admission) and 10% discount at the gift shop and plant nursery. Explore the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s collection of more than 300 plant families of Mediterranean climates! In addition to being a great place to visit and stroll the gardens, the Arboretum is also an academic support unit, living laboratory, and outdoor classroom for UCSC.
Downtown businesses love Banana Slugs! Local retailers, eateries, and service providers offer student specials year-round.
Enjoy 15% off one Slug Shop item of your choice! Stop by the Slug merch booth at Kresge 3101, visit the full Slug Shop at 1520 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Santa Cruz, or enter the coupon code “2026SLUGS" at checkout when purchasing any UCSC branded item that is currently in-stock online. Offer valid: 4/10/2026–4/14/2026.
Special rate of $190 to $210 per night! To Reserve your Special Rate room, please email ogutierrez@engagehospitality.com or call (831) 426-2664 (M-TH only). Available Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.
Group rate of $269 per night for rooms booked Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12. Must book by March 20.
Dream Inn is the exclusive beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz. Every guestroom features a breathtaking ocean view and private balcony. Special group rate of $459 available April 10-12 with complimentary parking. If you prefer, you may call to book at 844-291-9681 and ask for “Banana Slug Day Room Block.”
Special group rate of $280 per room. Covers Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12. Must book by Tuesday, March 24.
Special group rate of $309++ per room for 2 nights minimum. Breakfast buffet is included with rate.
Special rate of $249 plus applicable taxes! Parking fees waived for your stay. Available Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.
Alumna Keynote
1:00 - 1:15 p.m., Kresge 3105
We are pleased to present UC Santa Cruz alumna Meredith Turner, Senior Vice President, External Relations & Communications, UC Office of the President. Join us in the Quarry Amphitheater to hear from this Banana Slug and find out how a degree in United States History led to a career in public policy.
Tours: Choose Your Own Adventure!
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tours depart from East Field and Science Hill Quad
Join our friendly, knowledgeable student tour guides as they lead you on a walking tour of the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus!
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Baskin Visual Arts Courtyard
Join us for a guided tour of the Art Department’s exceptional shops and studios.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (30-minute tours), East Field House Complex
Join a student-guided tour of our athletics facilities!
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Communications Building
Our well-known Film & Digital Media will open our production studio for lighting and camera demonstrations. Join us for tours of the equipment room.
1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Biomedical Sciences Research Building
Faculty and students will be available at the building to speak with visitors.
12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Porter College
Experience the Mary Porter Sesnon Art Galleries! On exhibit through May 2: Environmental Art + Social Practice MFA 2026, “Picking up Shells Amid a Tsunami.” The culminating exhibition of the Environmental Art and Social Practice MFA program at UCSC.
12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Cowell College
Exhibition: Paths of Play: Games of Resistance and Imagining Otherwise. The exhibition invites visitors to encounter these works in multiple registers: as playful objects, as critical forms, as artworks, and as participatory systems that unfold through interaction and interpretation.
1:00 p.m. at KZSC studios - located next to the Cantu Queer Center
Discover KZSC, the campus FM radio station! It's an FCC-licensed, student-run college radio station broadcasting from Santa Cruz to southern Monterey County. Learn how to get involved and explore the studios and media library. Entry by small groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Natural Sciences Bldg 2, Room 239
The Norris Center curates important natural history collections, teaches field-based classes, supports hands-on internships, strengthens connections among disciplines – especially art and science students!
Overview of the Earth Sciences majors, degree-defining experiences, cutting edge research opportunities, followed by building tour.
Mock Lectures
Stevenson Academic Building 150
Philosophy Professor Sara Bernstein discusses how science fiction makes time travel seem familiar. Time travel in movies, such as Terminator 2 and Twelve Monkeys, will also be discussed.
Meet Professor Carol Greider, who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work on telomeres and telomerase.
Stevenson Academic Building 150
Literature Professor Vilashini Cooppan draws from her course, “The Politics of Fashion” (Literature 80H) to explain how fashion works as a language, how we can "read" its deeper meanings, and what it says about us.
Mathematics is more than equations - it's a way of thinking about patterns, logic, and the beauty of ideas. In this interactive talk, Professor Beren Sanders will explore how mathematicians approach their work, revealing the creativity and wonder behind one of humanity's oldest disciplines. Open to all audiences; no math background required.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping everyday life, from how we communicate to how decisions are made. Professor Evangelos Chatziafratis explores what today’s “thinking machines” can and cannot do, the challenges they raise around trust, bias, and ethics, and the opportunities they offer to support human creativity, work, and discovery.
Earth & Marine Sciences B206
Meet Steve Ritz, Distinguished Professor of Physics and former director of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP), who will introduce the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and present a brief overview of research opportunities in physics and astrophysics at UCSC. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is now operational. We’ll discuss its unique capabilities, why scientists around the world are so excited, and the connections to UCSC research areas of interest, from the mysterious dark matter and dark energy to broader topics in astrophysics and fundamental physics. We’ll then take a quick tour of research opportunities in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics.
Physical Sciences Building Room 240
Asst. Professor Johnston’s research focuses on designing innovative chemistry curricula for large-enrollment courses that are both adaptive to individual student needs and actively engaging. She is particularly interested in fostering inclusive classroom environments that not only support and retain students but also challenge them to grow intellectually.
Physical Sciences Building Room 240
Presented by the Chemistry Department.
Connect with Financial Aid
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kresge 3105
Find out more about next steps with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and how we can help make college affordable for you and your family. FASO distributes over $500 million every year in need-based and merit-based awards. If you haven’t filled out your FAFSA or Dream App, do it now!
Special opportunity: Financial Aid One-on-one Drop-in Advising offered from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Stevenson Event Center!
Discover Housing
The Colleges & Housing Information Sessions
9:00 - 10:00 a.m., Quarry Amphitheater
12:00 - 1:00 p.m., 2:00 - 3:00 p.m, Kresge 3105
Where will you live for the next few years? Find out about the wide variety of on-campus housing opportunities, including residence hall or apartment living, themed housing, and our unique residential college system. You will also learn about how students receive assistance finding off-campus housing, as well as dates and deadlines and other important information. Meet with the Housing experts and get your questions answered!
View a Mock Dorm Room
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cowell Provost’s House
Meet the Disability Resource Center
Disability Resource Center (DRC) Open Office
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Kerr Hall, Basement Level entrance (back of building)
Informal parent sessions 11:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
- How to support your student's transition to UCSC
- Q&A
Prospective student drop-in (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
- Check out the DRC student lounge
- See DRC testing center spaces
- Meet DRC staff & ask questions
Information Sessions
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Quarry Amphitheater
Speakers: Associate Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Management & Director of Admissions Timetra Hampton and Student Union Assembly Chair Rigo Ventura
Various Times and Locations
Find out more about academics at UCSC! Representatives from the four academic divisions and the Jack Baskin School of Engineering will welcome you to campus and help you learn more about our vibrant academic life.
10:00 -10:45 a.m., 2:00 - 2:45 p.m., Classroom Unit 2
Meet El Centro, our Chicanx/Latinx Resource Center!
11:00 - 11:45 a.m., Physical Sciences Room 110
Join us for a presentation and conversation to better understand the changing world of LGBTQIA2S+ identities.
1:00 - 1:45 p.m., Physical Sciences Room 110
Únase a nosotros para una presentación y conversación con el fin de comprender mejor el mundo de las identidades LGBTQIA2S+.
Global Learning: Going Global, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m., 1:30 - 2:15 p.m., Thimann Lecture Hall 001
Join us to explore the variety of programs that allow you to engage with other cultures!
9:00 - 4:00 p.m. (45-minute sessions, hourly, break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.), Media Theater M110
Get into the Banana Slug spirit by joining the staff of Orientation!
9:00 - 4:00 p.m. (45-minute sessions, hourly, break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.), Natural Sciences Annex 101
Get an early start this summer!
3:00 - 4:00 p.m., 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Classroom Unit 1
Our workshop will empower you to get involved in student advocacy and programs, and is a great way to get informed about the ways your student government can work to support your needs and uplift your voice!
12:00 - 3:00 p.m., Science & Engineering Library
Hosted by Physical & Biological Sciences. This exhibit features the work of students who have completed research projects in the last year. Students will be on hand to explain their work and meet with families.
11:00 - 11:45 a.m; 1:00 - 1:45 p.m., Classroom Unit 2
Our Career Success team is ready to help you succeed! Find out more about our many services, including jobs and internships (both before and after graduation), job fairs where recruiters come to campus to find you, career coaching, preparation for medical school, law school, and graduate school, and much more!
11:00 - 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m., Engineering 2, Room 180
Join Career Engagement Specialist Erin Busch, who will share Baskin's career readiness supports, industry partnerships, and other resources.
2:00 - 2:30 p.m., Physical Sciences Building, Room 110
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Opportunities for UCSC Undergraduate Students, Presented by Professor Raja Guhathakurta.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m., Natural Sciences 2, Room 221
Meet Physics Research Professor George Brown and view the Quantum Information Science/Optics lab.
Q&A Panels
11:30 - 12:15 p.m., Digital Arts Resource Center, Room 108
Students, including members of the Arts Dean's Student Leadership Board will provide insights into their lives as Arts Division Students at UCSC. There will be a chance for Q&A to answer any burning questions from a student perspective.
12:00 - 12:45 p.m., Baskin Auditorium
An overview of curriculum, programs, and support for students will be shared. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet department faculty, staff, and students.
11:00 - 11:45 a.m., 1:00 - 1:45 p.m., 3:00 - 3:45 p.m., Baskin Auditorium
An overview of curriculum, programs, and support for students will be shared. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet department faculty, staff, and students.
2:00 - 2:45 p.m., Baskin Auditorium
3:00 - 3:45 p.m., Engineering 2, Room 180
An overview of curriculum, programs, and support for students will be shared. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet department faculty, staff, and students.
11:00 - 11:45 a.m., Engineering 2, Room 180
Join faculty and undergraduate researchers to hear about how to be a part of undergraduate research at Baskin!
12:00 - 12:45 p.m., Baskin Auditorium
An overview of curriculum, programs, and support for students will be shared. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet department faculty, staff, and students.
11:15 - 12:00 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall
What happens in our minds, and in our communities, when we move between languages? Join our faculty panel for an engaging and accessible conversation about bilingualism, exploring how code-switching, cultural identity, and heritage languages shape who we are. Whether you grew up speaking more than one language, are raising bilingual children, or are simply curious about how language influences thought and belonging, this event is for you.
Our panelists will unpack questions such as:
Why do bilingual speakers switch between languages in the same conversation?
Is it ever too late to become bilingual?
What does it mean to be a “heritage speaker”?
How does language connect us to family history and cultural identity?
What are the cognitive, social, and professional benefits of bilingualism?
Through real-life examples and research-informed insights, we’ll explore how bilingualism is not just about grammar and vocabulary—it’s about community, memory, creativity, and opportunity.
3:15 - 4:00 p.m., Humanities 1, Conference Room 210
What is it really like to be a UCSC Humanities major? Hear it directly from current students in this engaging panel conversation. Humanities majors will share their experiences navigating student life at UCSC while participating in Humanities EXCEL, a program that connects classroom learning with paid, hands-on professional work in the community. Panelists will speak candidly about finding their academic and social communities, balancing coursework with a paid internship, and building transferable skills through real-world projects with local organizations. They will also reflect on how their humanities studies translate into professional confidence, career exploration, and preparation for life after graduation.
2:15 - 3:00 p.m., Humanities 1, Conference Room 210
Are you interested in doing undergraduate research? Are you unsure what research looks like in the Humanities? In this fast-paced and engaging panel, undergraduate Humanities researchers share lightning talks drawn from their own research questions or their work on faculty-led projects. Students will introduce what they or their teams are studying and why it matters to them, highlight the big ideas guiding their research, and walk audiences through their methods.
3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Thimman Lecture Hall 001
Meet some of UC Santa Cruz’s science students!
2:00 - 2:45 p.m., Engineering 2, Room 180
An overview of curriculum, programs, and support for students will be shared. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet department faculty, staff, and students.
3:00 - 3:45 p.m., Physical Sciences Building, Room 240
Meet the Chemistry Club!
2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Earth & Marine Sciences Building, Room B210
Meet students in the Earth & Planetary Sciences majors!
Resource Fair
Resource Fair, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., East Field
Student Performances, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Stevenson Event Center
Want to find out more about academics, student resources, student life, or student organizations? Stop by our Resource Fair tables to speak with students and staff members from those areas. You may meet a future fellow clubmate!
Dining Options
A variety of food and drink options will be available throughout campus. Bring a reusable water bottle with you – we’ll have refill stations at the event!
Food trucks will be stationed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the East Field and at Parking Lot 113 at Science Hill.
Inexpensive, all-you-care-to-eat lunches will also be available at the Cowell/Stevenson, College Nine/John R. Lewis College, and Rachel Carson College/Oakes dining halls. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available.
Togo’s Sandwiches will be set up in front of the Campus Store courtyard at the Granary, offering a variety of sandwiches for purchase.
