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About the Resource Centers

Mission Statement: 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. 

Vision Statement: The Resource Centers’ vision is for students to feel fully affirmed in their diverse and intersecting identities, be empowered in their academic success, and graduate with a sense of belonging to UCSC.

Core Values:

  • Student Success - to empower, develop identity and promote retention and graduation. A holistic approach to student success includes: academic, psychological and physical well-being. 
  • Community Building - a sense of belonging, engagement and relationships. To collaborate by building a culture of working with and for different culture and identity groups.
  • Social Justice - challenging norms and systems of oppression to improve campus climate and campus culture.
  • Accessibility - being available in action, language and physical space. Breaking down barriers to promote opportunities and resources. 
  • Transformation - to educate, empower, and lead. Challenging students to promote personal, community, academic, and professional development.
  • Intersectionality - recognizing the overlapping complex systems of oppression that inform unique experiences of groups and individuals.

 

African American Resource and Cultural Center

The mission of the African American Resource and Cultural Center is to provide support for the students in the African/Black community at UC Santa Cruz. The history of the Center is steeped in UCSC tradition; we were the first ethnic resource center on campus after determined and dedicated students of color formed a circle around Hahn Student Services in peaceful protest and demanded that the administration recognize their need for support.

As we progress, we maintain the same sense of determination and dedication that built the African American Resource and Cultural over two decades ago. As an underrepresented minority in the University of California system, we believe it is more imperative than ever to commit to the encouragement and enrichment of students in our community.

American Indian Resource Center

The AIRC is dedicated to supporting the needs of American Indian students and increasing Native visibility on campus by advocating student centered programs, cultural events, and tools for academic success and well being. The center serves as a vital link between American Indian students, the University, and tribal communities to foster growth through mentoring, leadership opportunities and scholarly development.  The AIRC also serves as a supportive space for students to help ease the transition from home to campus life.    

Asian American / Pacific Islander Resource Center

The Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC) established in 1999, provides and enhances opportunities for developing leadership, building a stronger sense of community on campus, and linking students to community service opportunities. Ultimately, AA/PIRC offers education and dialogue on issues affecting Asian American/Pacific Islanders toward addressing students’ multiple and diverse academic, social, cultural, and other co‐curricular needs. Students can also gain leadership experience through the AA/PIRC Internship, volunteering, and/or participating on student program.

Chicanx Latinx Resource Center

Through campus and community partnerships the mission of EL CENTRO is to promote a critical understanding of Chicanxs and Latinxs within the United States and internationally. We accomplish this mission by offering workshops as well as an extensive programming calendar. Our efforts promote cultural affirmation, social justice values and community service. Students attending our activities gain insight into cultural dynamics, social and political processes and the historical significance of the contributions that Chicanxs and Latinxs have made to the U.S and to the broader world community. 

Lionel Cantú Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Resource Center

The Lionel Cantu Queer Resource Center is the nexus of support and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of California, Santa Cruz. We create co-curricular experiences with students, staff and faculty to build a more inclusive campus community for queer and trans people.
We do this through providing programming, workshops, access to knowledge and resources, and dialogue to enrich the lives of the queer and trans community members we serve in all aspects of their identities.

Womxn's Center

The UCSC Womxn’s Center affirms the dignity and diversity of all women. The center continues and challenges feminist traditions by creating community space for all women and their allies to achieve individual and social change.