University Centers Impact Report 22-23

UNIVERSITY CENTERS MISSION

As a student-centered organization, University Centers supports the UC San Diego community with quality facilities, services, and programs that foster and enrich the campus experience and student learning.

— Adopted by the University Centers Advisory Board, May 16, 2011; reaffirmed 2018, 2021

In accomplishing its mission, University Centers VALUES :

INCLUSIVITY–fostering a community that is anti-racist; supporting all people and their intersecting cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, religious, socioeconomic status, age, (dis)ability, and currently unnamed identities; providing a variety of places where students can find a sense of belonging, balance their academic pursuits, and engage in open expression; dedicated to the Student Life Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

LEARNING—providing activities, services, and spaces that compliment students’ educational pursuits and support student learning outside the classroom

HOSPITALITY—serving our guests and making them feel welcome and comfortable; going beyond what is expected to deliver excellent service

STUDENT PARTICIPATION—consulting students through assessment, student employment, and student-led advisory board

ADAPTABILITY—responding in a flexible and timely manner to address the needs and interests of current and future students

CLEAN AND SAFE FACILITIES—providing facilities that are wellmaintained, clean, and safe

SUSTAINABILITY—considering future impacts and long-term viability of our facilities, services, and programs

TEAM DEVELOPMENT—providing the tools and training for our team members to successfully fulfill their roles; fostering an environment that supports collaboration and innovation

ANOTHER YEAR IN THE BOOKS!

Seeing the student union facilities filled once again with students and activities was the true highlight of our year. Watching new friendships emerge and meaningful memories being etched reminds us why we do the work we do. The University Centers team enjoyed a fun and productive year with completion of several construction projects, production of the 10th annual Sustainable Food Expo, management of more than 17,000 reservations, and so much more. We have lots to share with you as we look back on 2022-23 and highlight many of the student-centered experiences the campus enjoyed in the student union. As always, we encourage you to visit the Price Center and the Student Center soon and often. Let us know how we’re doing and provide us with feedback via our feedback form . We want to hear from you!

Cheers,

Sharon Van Bruggen, Executive Director

COMMUNITY & CONNECTIONS

The Park

Art in The Park & Fun Friday

University Centers developed and managed weekly student activity programs at The Park, including Art in The Park and Fun Friday at The Park that took place at the Matthews Quad location.

Art in The Park events provide a variety of crafts for students to make and create, while providing them with an opportunity to relax, enriching their experience outside of the classroom. Fun Friday at The Park, held every Friday, provides a variety of lawn games and activities for students to unwind, have fun, or compete with friends. Some of the games include badminton, spike ball, and bags. These weekly events helped to connect students with co-curricular activities and provided hands-on enrichment opportunities, a Student Affairs goal.

Student Art

Showcasing Student Artists & Inclusivity

University Centers hosted three group art exhibitions, featuring 36 student artists from various disciplines. Each show was displayed prominently on the Starbucks Student Art wall at Price Center.

Thematic exhibitions:

Parks & Nature // Honoring BIPOC Communities // Dreams

Each exhibition had an opening reception where student artists connected, engaged with the community, and shared their work with friends and family.

Briana Gomez

Natalia Hernandez Shantelle Brooks

Student Events Insider

The Student Events Insider (SEI) is a weekly newsletter that is emailed to all registered undergraduate and graduate students at UC San Diego. It features student events happening all over campus and is a consistent and central space for students to stay up-to-date on events happening on campus. All events appear on a main Student Event calendar located on the University Centers websites.

“Today’s Challenge,” a new feature, quickly gained popularity and came from student feedback asking for more newsletter interaction. This feature ranged from trivia questions about Price Center, campus, and current events to various types of puzzles, with one weekly winner selected from all of the correct responses submitted.

Social Media Engagement

University Centers hit major milestones on Instagram and TikTok channels this year. With a heavy focus on events happening at the student union, engagement was increased by posting informational content that focused on student life, online activities and UC San Diego students. Using this strategy both TikTok and Instagram steadily increased throughout the year.

Instagram @UCSDcenters

Grew from 5,869 to 9,732 followers

108.4% increase in engagement

Average post received 200-400 likes

Launched a weekly “What’s Happening at University Centers ” video on Instagram and Tiktok which averaged 10k-15k views each week

Collaboration with official UC San Diego social media accounts

95,662 views and 77,637 accounts reached with popular trending ‘Wes Anderson style ’ video created by student team member, highlighting the student union and campus.

TikTok @UCSD University Centers

Hit 1,000 followers

72% increase in followers

65 posts during school year

Top Performing:

6,026

Likes: Places at UC San Diego as Sounds

155

Comments: Looking for your sign to go to UCSD?

72,998

Reach: Places at UC San Diego as Sounds

Collaboration & Partnerships

In a collaborative effort, University Centers promoted resource centers located in student union facilities on Library Walk throughout the year:

Additional Student-Centered Support

• Collaborated with registered student organizations and departments at UC San Diego.

• University Centers is a contributing partner for The Loft, to support student-centered activation.

• Participated in Triton Days, a campus-wide event welcoming prospective students and their families

Unique Space Activation

The Black Legacy Mural and Y Más dining areas can now be reserved in the evenings for student meetings and activities, each providing a cultural connection through visual design and artwork.

The Black Legacy Mural dining area celebrates numerous prominent Black Americans. Their individual biographies are celebrated on each of the dining tables.

Y Más, Spanish for ‘and more’, reflects a Mexican courtyard market where neighbors gather. Colorful papel picado graphics and lush plants were added to the space, create a fun and relaxing space to meet, eat and study.

Subway Grab-N-Go 24/7

University Centers Advisory Board (UCAB) reviewed a proposal from Subway for the installation of a testing location for a vending machine. UCAB ultimately approved and backed this project to support students, which provides access to food after hours, in between classes, 24/7, and offers value meals that are made fresh daily.

In fall, there was lots of buzz nationwide regarding Subway’s venture into vending machines. Subway at Price Center made national news as one of the very first to install a vending machine, which is located outside next to the Price Center ATMs.

In one of the very first months of service, the machine dished out sandwiches for close to 700 students.

Taste Something New

Partnering with numerous University Centers eateries during Fall quarter, the ‘Squish into Fall’ promotion was launched to bring student awareness of the diverse food offerings available to them at both the Price Center and Student Center.

Each day during a two-week period, one eatery was promoted on social media as the place to visit, and with a purchase, receive a coveted Squishmallow toy.

This resulted in long lines, a boost in sales, 1,000 new followers on Instagram and lots of happy students.

Building off the success of fall, the Golden Ticket Spring Adventure promotion, based on a Willy Wonka theme was created for spring quarter. With a purchase, students would collect tickets at specific eateries. Tickets would reveal a prize that was redeemed at weekly tabling, providing us the opportunity to connect with the participating students. The prize for a winning Golden Ticket consisted of a Sonny Angel, another popular toy trend. The promotion had an 87% redemption rate and created a major buzz on social media.

UNIVERSITY CENTERS

First Friday, an annual open house that brings together students to explore and learn about resources and amenities available to them at the Price Center and Student Center.

Price Center West Dining interior transformation completed.

First of 5 Student Center Garden Workshops took place

Student Center Courtyard construction and build out completed.

FALL 2022 WINTER 2023

700 cards sent to loved ones

Thanks to The Trove for covering the postage! Campus-wide

Well-Being "Triton Health Award 2022"

Adam Weaver Assistant Director, Event Services

Kia Neri Event & Programs Manager

Community Partnership

"Team Player Award 2022"

22-23 HIGHLIGHTS

10th Annual Sustainable Food Expo Largest participation in history of food expo, with 720 attendees.

University Centers participated in Triton Days with a booth on Library Walk and extra staff in the Price Center to welcome families and prospective students.

Price Center Plaza readies for demolition in preparation of major activation project.

SPRING 2023 SUMMER 2023

Athletics Baseball Team celebrates win with awards ceremony in Price Center Plaza

End of year Student Employee Appreciation & Senior Send-Off Celebration. Working for University Centers is fun!

Heavy machinery rolled in for demo in mid-June, breaking up and removing 1,725.5 tons of concrete that was recycled. Project to be completed by end of Fall 2023.

15,737 Reservations (campus depts & student orgs)

201,530 cups of coffee served @ Price Center Starbucks

$7,650 UCAB Tech Fee Subsidies granted to 37 registered student organizations

All of this would not be possible without the University Centers Advisory Board and the hard work of 192 student and 45 career team members!

SUSTAINABILITY & STUDENT

Exploring Sustainability @ The Student Union

Meatless Monday

University Centers kicked off Meatless Monday in winter quarter to bring attention to plant-based food selections available to in the student union. It also provided an opportunity to increase awareness to the environmental impact while also providing information about meat versus plant-based meal choices. Each Monday at Price Center, Meatless Monday was promoted with food vendors offering a discount for those ordering plant-based food selections.

Student Center Garden & Workshop Series

Five workshops were held throughout the year with attendance and interest growing at each event.

A total of 146 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables from the Student Center Garden was harvested and donated to the Triton Food Pantry, who then distributed it to students in need.

University Centers has been diverting organic waste at Price Center with EDCO * since September of 2019.

EDCO is the only hauler currently used at UC San Diego

Waste diversion tracking started in May 2021

24.9 tons organic waste diverted in fiscal year

53.7 tons organic waste diverted from May 2021 to July 2023

STUDENT LEARNING

10th Annual Sustainable Food Expo

Celebrating its tenth year, University Centers provided students with the opportunity to learn and taste a variety of plant-based foods at the Expo. Alternative meat and cheese products, hands-on lessons, tastings, and invaluable insights into sustainable food practices were presented so students can make their own sustainability choices. LEARN MORE

Starbucks Sustainable Solutions & Learning Opportunities

Scholarship Recipient

In its seventh year, this $5,000 scholarship helps UC San Diego undergraduate students with research and learning projects related to sustainability. This year's recipient is Matthew Dulansky, a junior from Seventh College majoring in Structural Engineering. His research project combines his love of surfing with his curiosity of developing solutions for a more sustainable product used in our ocean.

Research Project: Using Biocomposites in Surfboard Manufacturing for Environmental Sustainability

Mr. Dulansky’s research will test the use of producing a durable surfboard made from biocomposites instead of synthetic fibers. Biocomposites are often made from natural fibers such as flax, hemp, or bamboo, which are more environmentally friendly. Overall, the use of biocomposites in surfboard production can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint, waste generation, and turnover rate of surfboards. It is a step towards a more eco-friendly surfing industry and a more sustainable future.

Learned quite a bit about different food options, meal ideas, and plant care.

I learned about a bunch of sustainable groups/brands I did not know about!

There are really good plant based options here (on campus)!

With this research grant, I will be able to further explore the potential of sandwich composites in surfboard construction, which is just one small step towards my larger goal.

Matthew Dulansky

22-23 Grant Recipient, Seventh College '24, Major: Structural Engineering

STUDENT-CENTERED TRANSFORMATIONS

Price Center West Food Court Transformation

Approved by the University Centers Advisory Board, the Price Center West food court update was completed at the end of fall quarter with minimal impact to students.

A student focused project to improve and enhance the customer experience in Price Center. An intentional, community building project from University Centers, the Student Union at UC San Diego.

From floor to ceiling the space was transformed with new lighting, community tables, additional electrical outlets, acoustical treatments, and new dining furniture. A new entrance was also created allowing better access and connection to Dirty Birds, Jamba and the outdoor community patio across the walkway.

‘A student focused project to improve and enhance the customer experience in Price Center. An intentional, community building project from University Centers, the Student Union at UC San Diego.’

TRANSFORMATIONS

Student Center Courtyard Activation

Project

Completed in winter quarter, the updated Student Center Courtyard is now a reservable space. A once underutilized area, it is now a unique space, perfect for socials, receptions, tabling, open mic nights, music and much more. Includes built-in stage and seating areas, more electrical outlets, shade structures.

Event Services & Reservations Desk

Moved to a nearby location to establish a central desk for events services and reservations. This included a full service counter with digital screen and hiring additional staff to support all the services provided.

Advancing Technology

The installation of specialized acoustic panels in the Stage Room at the Student Center improved sound quality for events in the venue. Several audio upgrades were made at the Price Center as well, including the installation of new speakers in the West Ballroom.

WHAT’S NEXT

Price Center Plaza Major Renovation

As soon as the 2023 graduates moved that tassel over to the right, construction fences and heavy machinery started breaking up the concrete in Price Center Plaza for another phase in University Centers multi-phased transformation project, which started with the West Dining project that was completed this year.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 with a grand opening celebration event in the works.

Hammock-time!

Recognized as one of the most serene spots on campus, the hammocks located on the lawn at Price Center Plaza are a popular spot for students to relax, reflect and reset.

Happening @ the Student Union