Greetings fellow Tritons!
My name is John Payne, Associate Director for University Centers and it has been my privilege to be a part of the Triton Community since 2004. Currently, as the Interim Director of University Centers it is my pleasure to share with you our 23-24 Impact Report.
As your campus student union, our University Centers team diligently works to provide the UC San Diego community quality services and facilities by overseeing the Price Center, the Original Student Center and some shared spaces around campus.
Each year our teams work with you to support more than 20,000 meeting and event bookings per year. The Price Center receives more than 15,000 visitors each weekday. We strive to ensure that your experience utilizing the facilities and our services is supportive, inclusive, friendly and productive.
This past year our team was excited to see the completion of the newly designed Price Center Plaza. This project was developed to enhance a year-round dining experience and improve egress throughout the plaza. With amenities such as canopies, heaters and more vegetation we hope you enjoy this new dining and gathering space.
We were also excited to have the opportunity to help support our campus partners in initiatives such as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Plaza next to the Original Student Center, Dia De Los Muertos celebration and altar with our LatinX community, Make and Mail Valentines with The Trove, and our permanent voter ballot box with Associated Students.
From our own department initiatives to collaborations, we are guided by our University Centers Student Advisory Board (UCAB) and it is always an honor to work with such dedicated students who strive to improve the campus experience.
Our team is looking forward to the 24-25 academic year and cannot wait to help support the Triton Community.
ALL THE BEST,
John Payne
Associate Director // University Centers
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
University Centers Year in Review
THE NUMBERS
FY 2023-24
303 89,431 1,869,415 15,625 13,713 572,000 $12,139 162,030 31,600 14,009
Student employees
Student hours worked
Meals served
Average weekday visitors at Price Center
Bookings
Estimated attendees at events & meetings
UCAB Tech Fee Subsidies granted to 48 registered student organizations
Cups of coffee served at Price Center Starbucks
Student hours using computer stations at Price Center & Student Center
Student computer users
FACILITY & RETAIL
Price Center Plaza Major Renovation Complete
Originally built in 1989, the plaza renovation was completed in fall quarter and is designed to better meet the needs of the growing campus. It includes a 7,000 SQ FT interior food court with common dining spaces and a sliding wall of windows that creates an indoor/outdoor zone as well as approximately 25,000 SQ FT exterior plaza to offer an enhanced experience for students and community members. The newly designed outdoor space embraces the near perfect La Jolla climate with shade canopies, lights, heat lamps, Wi-Fi, and a variety of seating options. Student feedback led the design which provides essential space to better serve as a day or night impromptu gathering space as well as a cozy venue for small or medium sized outdoor events such as movie nights, singer-songwriter performances, outdoor meetings, or just a place to hang out with friends.
Fun Fact:
The new paver pattern in the main walkway is a series of bars that represent the notes of the Triton Fight Song!
The plaza renovation construction team that installed the terrazzo flooring in the yellow tunnel received a special award.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza Unveiled @ Student Center
University Centers welcome this important new gathering space. Unveiled in October 2023 on the westside of the Original Student Center, adjacent to the Hump, this new plaza, honors the legacy of historically Black fraternities and sororities. This project was spearheaded by students involved with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Black Resource Center. The plaza will serve as an event space for students involved in NPHC and will provide a sense of belonging to both current and future students.
Tritons Have More Eatery Options!
• SHORES DINER opened at the Original Student Center in spring quarter. This new retail partner also operates Dirty Birds at Price Center and is very student centered both with pricing and activation activities such as holding weekly Trivia Nights. Menu includes hefty breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, including milkshakes, and many favorite comfort-food low-cost, menu items.
• SU PAN BAKERY returned to the Y Más location, next to Burger King. A familyowned, authentic panaderia from San Diego featuring made-from-scratch pan dulce, conchas, galletas, cochinitos, flan custards, fruit tarts, hot chocolate and coffee as well as a varying selection of tortas, tamales and more!
• FLAVORFULL, replaced Seed & Sprout, offering a mix of hearty, healthy and flavorful bowls, wraps, and salads plus unique and tasty Bubble Waffles for those with a sweet tooth.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
First Friday - Largest participation EVER!
University Centers annual open house event, First Friday, welcomes all students to explore and discover the Price Center with a fun scavenger hunt-style activity. Students get to navigate the building to learn about the departments and services available to them and earn prizes. It was a magical event and a great way to kick off the 23/24 school year. This year’s theme was Disney-inspired with each department picking a movie character for booth decorations. A total of 1,066 students turned in completed game cards which is the most participation this annual event has ever had!
Triton Day @ Price Center
Welcoming prospective students during Triton Day 2024, the University Centers booth provided incoming students and their families with information about the student union and all that is available to them.
ALWAYS AN EXCITING DAY TO SHOW OFF ALL THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER!
Social Media
59,998 Total Engagements
557,056 Total Video Views
160 Instagram Posts
45 Instagram Reels Posted
Most Viewed Video – Su Pan Bakery Now Open
41,722 Views, 949 Likes, 687 Shares
Build Your Own Finals Week Care Packages was one of the most engaged posts
Did you know Price Center has a Nap Nook? Second Most engaged video this year
As a student-centered organization, we provide activities and space for engagement opportunities for all UC San Diego students, contributing to campus life experiences outside the classroom.
• Hit 1,326 Followers
• 37 Posts during school year
• Top Performing:
Triton Day Recap
– 590 LIKES
– 11,640 VIEWS
– 890 Likes, 590 Shares, 197 Saves
– After Video was posted Nap Nook reservations rose by 49%
– 4,920 VIEWS
Triton Day Merch
Art in the Student Union
Student Art Exhibitions & Receptions @ Price Center
Starbucks Student Art Exhibition Themes
Home // Creative Self Portrait // Folklore & Fairytales
Student Photography Exhibits – Bear Room & Red Shoe Room
Campus Life // African Americans and the Arts // Flora & Fauna
Specialty Art Engagement Programs
Crochet Picnic
115 students came out to The Park @ Matthews Quad to enjoy fresh air and try their hand at crochet.
Origami @ Price Center
Feb 21, 2024 was Origami Day at Price Center! All Tritons were invited to fold origami that later became a community art installation in Sun God Lounge, created in collaboration with Origami Folders student organization.
Call for Sticker Art
Wildly popular student illustrations were produced as stickers and dispensed via a vending machine located inside the Gameroom at Price Center. A collectable set of 18 stickers by artists from various majors regularly sold out. A QR code posted on the sticker machine links to a webpage where information about each student artist can be found.
PARTNERSHIPS HEALTH & WELLNESS
University Centers is honored to work with numerous campus departments each year. Throughout 23/24 through event services and reservations we have contributed to the quality and success of events taking place in Price Center and at the Original Student Center. In addition, University Centers collaborated with several campus departments to produce campus-wide engagement events. Below are two impactful examples that brought the campus community together.
Partnerships
Dia De Los Muertos:
Altar Building & Teach-In
On October 24, University Centers staff and members of the Latinx Heritage Month Committee helped create a community altar in honor of Dia De Los Muertos at Triton Steps. Teach-In and dance performances by Teatro Izcalli and Danza Azteca Kuahkoatl were held at Town Square. University Centers publicized the event across numerous campus channels.
Make & Mail Valentines with The Trove
In February, 300+ Tritons mailed more than 350 handmade Valentine cards to friends and family. In its second year in partnership with The Trove, who provided the postage and mailed the cards, the celebration of love and friendship has been a very popular event for students and community members alike.
Health & Wellness
By providing opportunities for students to take time to relax, whether that be a swing in the Price Center Plaza hammocks or attending an origami workshop or just meeting up with friends at one of the several outdoor patios, University Centers prioritizes and makes space for the wellbeing and happiness of our students.
This year we….
• Introduced NAP NOOK @ PC, providing students, and staff the opportunity to take a nap in a quiet serene space.
• Installed a Little Free Library , a national non-profit program with the mission to build community and expand book access. It was added to the Pop-Up Park, located outside, behind Sun God lounge. For those seeking some quiet reading time you can take a book and leave a book. We are happy to have a location on campus and provide the community with access to free books.
• Supported students during Finals Week with Library Walk tabling providing useful tools to help with finals. Scantrons, pencils, destress items such as fidget toys, and snacks were passed out each quarter during week 10 as students prep for their exams.
SUSTAINABILITY
Student Center Garden Workshop Series
Now in its fifth year and growing in popularity, the Student Center Garden Workshop Series continues to be well attended with 12-45 student participants per workshop. The series provides learning opportunities, hands-on demonstrations, and gets students outside for some fresh air.
2023-24 Workshops:
• Intro to Gardening • Dorm Room Planting
• Succulent Planter Painting • Healing Herbs
• April Flowers Bring... • Strawberry Shortcake Decorating
Harvest Data
Weekly harvesting takes place at the Student Center Garden with produce donated to the Triton Food Pantry for student use. Fresh produce grown in the garden include carrots, corn, tomatoes, onions, zucchini and various types of squash.
142 LBS. Donated to Triton Food Pantry during the 23/24 academic year
Composting
A compost bin was added to Price Center East dining area in spring quarter and waste audits were performed to determine usage.
Starbucks Sustainable Solutions & Learning Opportunities Scholarship
Recipient
In its eighth year, this $5,000 scholarship helps UC San Diego undergraduate students with research and learning projects related to sustainability. This year’s scholarship recipient is Tesa Manto, a junior from Sixth College majoring in Physics.
The Project: Mapping the Development of Hydrogel Inhomogeneities Using Laser Interference
Ms. Manto’s sustainability project will help her acquire data on the swelling behavior in hydrogels, which has direct applications to environmental sustainability. Hydrogels play a large role in water purification and wastewater treatment and help reduce water runoff and soil erosion, and improve the quality of lakes, streams, and rivers. Hydrogels also help with moisture retention and water conservation by helping soil increase water holding capacity, allowing plants to survive during droughts. Manto’s research will allow her to explore the use of optic techniques to learn about the polymer structure of swelling hydrogels, and how they can be used to contribute to the conservation of earth’s precious resources.
“Through the program, I will be able to fully apply myself and continue to make the most out of an opportunity that I am truly grateful for.”
- Tesa Manto
