Morning Lookout: Criticism of UCSC’s Slug Crossing, Highway 1 Funding Trouble, and Building a Bay Fed Career

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Greetings, Lookout friends. It’s Monday, June 12, and the forecast calls for morning clouds and drizzle around Santa Cruz County, giving way to some later sun and temperatures mostly in the 60s.

The new workweek brings a full slate of new Lookout stories, so if you’re ready to jump in, over here. JUMP TO … Latest news | Reviews | Events | guides | Puzzle | Obituary

As graduation ceremonies are set to begin this week at UC Santa Cruz, many students and faculty are speaking out against Slug Crossing, the early-pandemic-era approach that replaced a more traditional mass gathering. full of speeches. The university cites problems with traffic and other infrastructure, but that’s not enough for some, reports Hillary Ojeda. Not having a regular start sucks. I was mad. I was frustrated. I was sad. I was disappointed, said a fourth-year student. Getting into a UC is such a big achievement, so why not celebrate us?

Meanwhile, on Route 1, a phase of the ongoing expansion project slated to begin in Aptos in 2025 could face a budget shortfall, Max Chun reports, after transit agency staff recommended against funding a $25 million grant. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission said it will continue to work on the project and plans to reapply for funding.

Our How I Got My Job series returns, featuring Nicole Beaver talking about her journey to becoming a branch manager for the Bay Federal Credit Union while juggling a young family and pursuing her education.

Monday’s headlines also include Wallace Baine Lamenting the Age of Doomscrolling, an open letter from two drag artists following the anonymous homophobic and transphobic letter published in the free weekly Good Times, and increased efforts by UCSC to fight anti-Semitism. Let’s look.

A glorified photo op: UCSC faces backlash over Slug Crossing graduation ceremony

(Kevin Painchaud / Belvedere Santa Cruz)

UC Santa Cruz has replaced the traditional gathering of all its college graduates with a scaled-down, three-day experience where graduates can receive their degrees on stage. UCSC cites parking and infrastructure issues and the lack of a venue large enough to hold the pandemic-era ceremony, much to the dismay of some future graduates who have seen COVID rob them of many traditional academic experiences. Read Hillary Ojedas’ story here.

MORE CAMPUS: UC Santa Cruz has struggled to create a unified campus culture. These students are trying to change that.

State commission set to reject $25 million funding request for future Highway 1 upgrade

(Kevin Painchaud / Belvedere Santa Cruz)

California transportation officials last week advised against $25 million in funding for Phase 3 of the Highway 1 expansion project slated to start in 2025, part of the $83 million still needed for the project. . The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is moving forward with the environmental review and design phase, and the California Transportation Commission will meet again in late June to make a final decision. Max Chun has details.

MORE ON ROAD WORKS: Highway 1 overnight closures will last through 2024; final stage heading towards community input thursday

Lots to digest as we enter another week. There’s more to come this Monday from Lookout, including In the Public Interest, Christopher Neelys weekly look at Santa Cruz County politics and politics. You can sign up here to receive this and all our other newsletters, as well as text and email news alerts. Following Lookout on social media is another great way to stay up to date on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Wherever your journey takes you this Monday, enjoy the ride.

Will McCahillPoint de Vue Santa Cruz

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