Impact Report
A department of Student Life
18 19
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.
GREETINGS,
When I asked the University Centers team to tell me the projects and activities they are most proud of having accomplished last year… I heard crickets. I’m not entirely surprised by that when I think about the team and the work we do to support and create an active and vibrant campus life. After all, we are a behind-the-scenes kind of team. We clean bathrooms, change lightbulbs, unlock doors, set up tables, manage event logistics but there is so much more that happens here at the student union. We rely heavily on a large student team that helps manage and run the facilities, program events, and provide resources that allow students to get involved and feel connected to their campus. Each student that comes through our doors can find comfort, a place to study, food to eat, friends to chat with and staff that is readily available to listen and mentor. We strive every day to create places where students can enjoy their campus experience to its fullest. A typical day during the academic year brings more than 30,000 visitors a day to Price Center. In 2018-19, we booked well over 20,000 events and meetings, and our eateries served more than 3M meals. Among other accomplishments, we planted an edible garden to support the Triton Food Pantry, added foot-washing stations at Price Center, and started construction on a project that will transform the north exterior patio and entrance into Price Center Plaza. There actually is a lot to share in the University Centers Annual Impact Report 2018-19, and we hope you enjoy reading through it. If you would like to share your thoughts with us, visit our website at universitycenters.ucsd.edu where our feedback form is linked from the main page.
— Adopted by the University Centers Advisory Board, May 16, 2011; reaffirmed 2018
VALUES COMMUNITY
fostering a climate that is welcoming to all, and providing a variety of places where students can find a sense of belonging, balance their academic pursuits, and engage in open expression
LEARNING
providing activities, services, and spaces that compliment students’ educational pursuits and support student learning outside the classroom
ADAPTABILITY
responding in a flexible and timely manner to address the needs and interests of current and future students
SUSTAINABILITY
considering future impacts and longterm viability of our facilities, services, and programs
We look forward to hearing from you,
HOSPITALITY Sharon Van Bruggen Executive Director, University Centers
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 volunteer advisory board
CLEAN & SAFE FACILITIES
providing facilities that are well-maintained, clean, and safe
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
providing the tools and training for our team members to successfully fulfill their roles; fostering an environment that supports collaboration and innovation
INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING
University Centers provides a welcoming community for all Tritons. With students hailing from 45 U.S. states and more than 100 countries* the student union provides endless opportunities to connect, cultivate curiosities, and take part in campus life. As a student-centered department, University Centers curates thought-provoking programming that covers a wide range of trending topics through discussion and activities (examples shown below).
SPIRITUAL WELLBEING
Students of all faiths and backgrounds can meditate, pray, or quietly contemplate the day’s events in the student union Contemplation Lounge. Based on feedback from students, the University Centers Advisory Board approved the installation of ablution stations in nearby restrooms to support students, staff and faculty who perform ritual ablution before prayer. “ The addition of ablution stations close to the Contemplation Lounge has allowed us to truly feel a sense of belonging — a sense of home — at UCSD. Before the stations, it could be an awkward feat to perform ablution, but now, it's comfortable and easy to perform. This simple accommodation has provided incredible benefit for us to both connect with our faiths and also pursue our academic studies.” —Shafeen Pittal 19’, on behalf of the Muslim Student Association *UC San Diego Institutional Research 2018-2019 Student Body Profile
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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GARDEN WITH PURPOSE
University Centers planted an edible garden at the Student Center to support the Triton Food Pantry. The project was presented to UCAB by former A.S. President Lesly Figueroa; UCAB approved and funded the project, and the garden was planted with prolific vegetables and edible plants known to attract pollinators. Every week our University Centers Sustainability Assistant, Laura Feltman and other student volunteers harvest the garden and provide the fresh produce to the Triton Food Pantry.
DESTRESS MONDAYS
Inspired by the Mondays Campaign*, DeStress Mondays at Price Center encourage students to start their week with a relaxed and positive frame of mind. The Commuter Lounge on Level 1 transforms into a relaxation zone, with soothing music, lavender mist, hot tea, snacks, inspirational notes, jokes, smiles, and kindness; typically serving 75-100 students weekly.
All plants are edible Focus on growing prolific vegetables that will go a long way when creating meals
GARDEN FACTS
Organic garden practices, including soil fertilizers, amendments, and any pest/ disease control products are certified organic Variety of produce depends on the season, and includes: arugula, green beans, cauliflower, cilantro, lettuce, passionfruit, peppers, tatsoi, toy choy, spinach, strawberries, and more. Provides a quiet, peaceful space to relax, slow down and take a break
T he Student Center Garden is a great project that highlights the importance and ease of eating fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The garden itself is a beautiful space on campus and the connection to the Triton Food Pantry really helps students who struggle with food insecurity... The garden is a part of a great system to help students eat healthy and I hope it will grow and expand as the campus grows and evolves. —Laura Feltman ’20 // Student Sustainability Assistant Major: Visual Arts-Media 2
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
eStress Mondays helps students D slow down during the stressful/ fast-paced Monday mornings by providing them snacks, tea/coffee, and a chance to mingle with fellow students. —Sofia Escamilla ’19 // Student Senior Event Coordinator Major: Aerospace Engineering
DeStress Mondays is a great way for commuter students to connect with UCSD and start our week with a little self-care. —Kelly Morris ’20 // Starbucks Student Lead Barista Associated Students Off-Campus Senator 2018-2019 Major: Political Science
COMMUTER FRIDGE
The Commuter Fridge service launched in January 2019 providing a secure and monitored refrigerator for students to safely store lunches brought from home. Like a coat check service, students drop off their perishable food items with a staff member and receive a claim number. UCAB approved funding for the new program to support students who commute. The pilot service has been well-received serving more than 100 individual students with usage increasing. Expanded hours are planned for the 201920 school year.
The students who come by and use [the commuter fridge] are always appreciative about the program... Packing a lunch promotes a healthy lifestyle, and the Commuter Fridge helps in promoting that lifestyle.
I LOVE it and I don’t know what I’d do without it! I am on campus for long periods of time and can store my lunch and dinner! —Kaylee // Major: Neuroscience
—Luke Murray ’21 // Student Gameroom Assistant Major: Aerospace Engineering
*The Mondays Campaign is a non-profit public health initiative associated with Johns Hopkins, Columbia and Syracuse universities that dedicates the first day of every week to health. UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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STUDENT // FACULTY ENGAGEMENT
Students get to know their professors in a non-academic setting through programming partnerships with academic divisions and faculty. We provide numerous faculty and departmental experiences throughout the year, giving students the opportunity to converse and connect with their professors in a personal way.
COFFEE WITH A PROF AT STARBUCKS
University Centers participates in the UCSD Coffee with a Prof Program administered by the Offices of the College Deans of Student Affairs. This unique program provides students the opportunity to engage with their professor over a cup of coffee at the student union Starbucks. Survey results indicate 90% of participants found interacting with their professor was beneficial to their overall campus experience. In addition to this program, which supports 360 students every year, University Centers will be implementing a similar program for graduate students.
STUDENT LEARNING & PARTICIPATION
With a workforce of more than 300 students and 49 full-time career staff, all aspects of running the student union from room reservations, event services, marketing, and custodial, to serving up a cup of coffee at Starbucks are run by students! The student workforce is essential to the operations and mission of our student-centered organization. Our talented student graphic design team received awards in three categories (posters, brochures and invitations) from the Association of College Unions, International (ACUI). Their annual marketing contest, ‘Steal this Idea’ recognizes excellence in design and marketing of student unions across the globe.
SMOG EATING MURAL
UCAB, student organization Greeks Gone Green (GGG), and The Green Initiative Fund commissioned a Smog Eating Mural to emphasize environmentally forward thinking within the university community. A ‘PURETi’ solution was sprayed on the mural surface, to remove air pollution by reacting with the air and to improve the surrounding air quality. The effects continue to be studied by Greeks Gone Green. The outdoor mural is located on the side wall of the ATM kiosk north of Price Center.
STUDENT EMPLOYEE YEAR IN REVIEW SURVEY RESULTS:
87%
would recommend working at University Centers to other students
67% 79% 4
stated that working at University Centers contributed to their overall campus experience
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
learned new skills
SALK INSTITUTE PROFESSOR SATCHIN PANDA
Restricted Eating & Intermittent Fasting Talk
MUSIC
ARTS & HUMANITIES PROFESSOR LUIS HERNANDEZ
Favianna Rodriguez talk and art exhibition reception
VISUAL ARTS
PROFESSOR AMY CIMIMI
PROFESSOR AMY ADLER
Event featuring experimental turntablist Maria Chavez with a workshop and discussion, followed by a performance
Russell Lecture featuring Zachery Drucker
PROFESSOR ANTHONY DAVIS
Carrie Mae Weems lecture and discussion
Quincy Troupe Poetry Reading
PROFESSOR STEPHANIE RICHARDS Festival of New Trumpet Music concert
PROFESSOR BRIAN CROSS
PROFESSOR AMY ALEXANDER
Punto y Raya Festival, Animation & Visual Music festival
PROFESSOR SHLOMO DUBNOV
Artificial intelligence (AI) concert
URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING
HISTORY
PROFESSOR JULIE WARTELL
PROFESSOR SIMEON MAN
Urban Economy talk with owner of Border X Brewery of Barrio Logan
Advanced screening of The Farewell and panel discussion with film director
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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1
ESTINY RODGERS // Spring Send-Off D West Ballroom @ Price Center
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ASIAN NIGHT MARKET // Library Walk
3
T RITON GAMING EXPO // First Friday East Ballroom @ Price Center
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PAINT NIGHT // DIY Craft Stage Room @ Student Center
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UARDIANS OF THE GALAXY // Movie G Theater @ Price Center
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LLBLACK // Concert A Stage Room @ Student Center
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OMEDY NIGHT // Open Mic C The Loft @ Price Center
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ILENT DISCO // First Friday S The Loft @ Price Center
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OMENTUM // Art & Fashion M East Ballroom @ Price Center
10 KIMPOSED // Calligraphy
@ THE STUDENT UNION
The student union rarely sleeps. From the early morning hours until late at night there is always something happening! Every night of the week you can walk into Price Center or Student Center and find something of interest—a concert, movie, comedy show, DIY event, open-mic night, dancing, e-gaming and more; the list goes on and on. In 2018-2019 student union night life was hopping; here are just a few of the memorable events we hosted.
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UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
East Ballroom @ Price Center
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2
3
4
5
6
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UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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MUSHROOMS FROM CAMPUS WASTE?
This year’s Starbucks Sustainable Solutions and Learning Opportunities Research Scholarship* award winner, Will Tanaka, a nanoengineering sophomore, will be putting his proposal into action using the $5,000 grant to continue his research. Working with Rogers Community Garden Compost Program on campus, Tanaka and the team collect on average 1,000 pounds of donated pre-consumer food waste per week from Price Center vendors. According to Tanaka**, coffee and tea waste constitute about half of the waste collected and can be used to grow edible mushrooms such as Oyster (Pleurotus). The project will help determine the economic feasibility of growing, and selling mushrooms to offset the cost of maintaining the composting program. In Tanaka’s proposal he puts forth that his project is another approach to help UC San Diego take a step closer to the ambitious goal mandated by UC president Janet Napolitano for zero waste on all UC campuses by 2020.
REFURBISH = SUSTAINABLE SAVINGS
University Centers is committed and focused on sustainable practices. We retrofitted more than 70 exterior lighting fixtures in Price Center West with LED socket fittings and kept the existing fixtures so there was very little waste and the orginal architecture of the facility was maintained. The improvement provides a decrease in energy output from 50 watts to 8 watts per light, plus an increased light output for additional brightness. These efforts result in 35 kWh per day savings, totaling a yearly savings of more than 12,700 kWh.
EAT YOUR COLORS
The Sustainable Food Expo brought together sustainably-focused organizations and businesses from campus and the San Diego community to share a day of learning and exploring sustainable food solutions. This annual event takes place every fall and is always free and open to everyone. The 2018 expo included cooking demonstrations featuring seasonal produce and information on how to grow sprouts at home.
84%
learned something new at the expo
69%
plan to implement what they learned
post event survey results
“I am going to try and consider purchasing fair trade, non-gmo whenever possible. Loved the variety of tables this year. Like that there are things we can go home and implement. I hope you will continue to have it each year, very informative. Many thanks!” —Post Food Expo Survey Response
*The Starbucks Sustainable Solutions and Learning Opportunities Research Scholarship is a University Centers program. ** Abbreviated text from Will Tanaka’s scholarship application. 8
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
SUPPORTING THE CAMPUS
Supporting campus, the students and community is a priority for University Centers. As a campus partner, our team works hard to ensure each partnership is met with mutual respect, trust and a shared vision for success. Whether it be an event happening in the student union or supporting a campus wide initiative, we provide professional customer service, marketing services, staffing, and support. University Centers team members also actively participate on numerous campus committees to support and promote campus initiatives.
PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIPS • Center for Student Engagement (CSI)
SUPPORTING CAMPUS EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
• Offices of the College Deans of Student Affairs
Support and market campus-wide community events such as:
• Ethnic Studies
• Basic Needs
• Institute of Arts and Humanities
• Family Weekend
• Global Education for International Education Week
• Founders Day
• Graduate Division GRAD SLAM 2019
• Grad Slam
• Graduate Student Association
• Homecoming
• Department of Music
• Off-Campus Housing Fair
• Department of Music Concert Committee
• Transfer Triton Day & Triton Day
• Panda Lab at the Salk Institute
• Triton Fest
• Urban Studies and Planning
• Triton Spirit Week
• Visual Arts Department
• UCSD Halloween Contest
• The Zone, part of Student Health & Well-Being cluster
• Welcome Week
CAMPUS COMMITTEES • Basic Needs Committee • Black History Month Planning Committee
• Campus Events Council
• Retail Council
• Marketing Council
• Cesar Chávez Celebration Committee
• Social Impact Steering Committee
• Native American Heritage Month Committee
• Triton Day Committee • Triton Fest Committee
UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS 2018-2019
BY THE NUMBERS
LEARNING
ORGANIZATIONS
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Developed customer feedback tool
• Refreshed student center lounge furniture
• Installed additional bike racks
• Refreshed Subway space
• Installed skateboard racks
• Remodeled restrooms adjacent to West Ballroom in Price Center
• Installed automatic drip irrigation system at the Student Center garden • Installed digital meeting room signs • Launched new website
• Replaced level one yellow tunnel flooring • Replaced Stage Room wood deck with Trex, a longer lasting material
• Refreshed Rubio's Baja Grill space
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UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
PARTICIPATION
176
104,125
‘Coffee with a Prof’ Starbucks visits
350+
student team members 88% students 12% career staff
2,326
Attended professor engagement events and programs
DID YOU KNOW…
s tudent team members working hours
109,398
The average daily number of visitors at Price Center was
Computer Lab hours 50 computers // 3 computer lab areas
26,113
965,668 people attended classes and events at Price Center during the 2018-19 academic year. Student organizations have first priority for booking space in the student union. Approximately 60% of the 21,034 reservations for event spaces and meeting rooms in 2018-19 were registered student organizations.
TOTAL RESERVATIONS: 21,034* 3% Academic Classes
.4% Off-Campus
UCAB allocated free storage space to 105 registered student organizations
A total of 3,000,000 meals were served. 38%
UCAB provided tech fee subsidies to 19
registered student organizations in amount of $5,852
Administration & Campus
59%
Student Organizations
421,000
*includes public and private events, and meetings
825 1,314 9,500 20,632
DIY Crafting Program participants
Starbucks is managed and operated by University Centers and is the first and only location at UC San Diego.
FIRST FRIDAY OPEN HOUSE ATTENDANCE OVER THE YEARS
3 Student Lead Baristas 4 Career Staff Managers
YEARS
DeStress Mondays attendees Gameroom visitors (pool, ping pong)
14-15 15-16
Daytime
16-17
Evening
65+
Student Baristas
17-18 18-19
University Centers Events
Cups served in 2018-19**
0
500
1000 STUDENTS
1500
2000
**Number of beverages served, including coffee, espresso, tea, and cold drinks, food and merchandise not included. UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
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FUTURE ACTIVATION
1
UB FACILITY P Stage Room patio & restaurant remodel Student Center
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OUTHEAST PATIO // remodel S Price Center East
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ORTH PATIO N patio & restaurant remodel Price Center West
LOOKING AHEAD...SNEAK PEEK!
An exciting year lies ahead with two new eateries opening! Our student led University Centers Advisory Board recommended Soda & Swine at the Student Center and Dirty Birds at the Price Center. Both eateries will feature new outdoor patios that are sure to elevate the dining experience and inspire conversation and engagement.
TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE CAMPUS EXPERIENCE, SEVERAL ACTIVATION PROJECTS ARE PLANNED: • Student Center courtyard remodel
• Hammocks and niche lounge seating • Feasibility study to renovate Price Center West food court and plaza
CA San Diego,
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UC San Diego | University Centers Impact Report | 2018 – 2019
UCAB 18 19
WHAT OUR STUDENT TEAM SAYS Not only are you getting paid to do a fun job, but you are also gaining skills that are designed to help you beyond the job itself. University Centers is preparing you for future opportunities...
I didn't buy into the idea of “finding oneself” in an institution, however, my year as part of [University Centers] has allowed me to find connections to UCSD that weren't present before. I now happily claim that [University Centers] is a safe place where I was able to grow as a person both professionally and academically...
—quotes from University Centers student team members, end of year survey
It’s an amazing on-campus work opportunity to gain work experience, learn from other students, and make friends!
UNIVERSITY CENTERS 9500 Gilman Drive, #0076 // La Jolla, CA 92093-0076 858.822.4987 // ucen@ucsd.edu // universitycenters.ucsd.edu One Stop Reservations & Student Organization Leadership Consultants 858.534.7666 // onestop@ucsd.edu @UCSD University Centers
@UCSDcenters