For more information on these student organizations, including contact information, please contact the SOAR office at 459-2934. African/Black Student Alliance The African/Black Student Alliance (ABSA) exists to create, promote, and maintain unity, higher visibility, and an understanding of the African-American culture and community. ABSA sponsors a number of programs to this effect, including Destination Higher Education, which includes personal, social, and academic workshops that focus on the Black Experience at UC Santa Cruz. This program serves to introduce students to African-American student life on campus, and gives admitted studes an opportunity to meet with the African/Black community at UC Santa Cruz. Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance The Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance serves to promote Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and communities at UCSC through social and cultural events, programs, and educational outings. Ethnic Student Organization Council The Ethnic Student Organization Council (ESOC) is a coalition of progressive student organizations at UCSC which strives to spread cultual collaboration and awareness on campus. ESOC is composed of over 20 student organizations representing cultural communities across the world, and provides both retention and outreach resources to both UCSC students and the surrounding communities. Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Network The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Network (GLBTN) exists as a safe resource for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The GLBTN works to provide educational and community services for students, faculty and staff in support of their academic, cultural, and social well-being, and educates the campus on all gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual related issues. Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlan (MEChA) The Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlan, or MEChA, is an organization dedicated to the promotion of Chicano/a history, education, and political action. Among their many programs at is O.R.A.L.E (Oportunidades Rumbo A La Educacion), which focuses on the Chicano/Latino experience at UC Santa Cruz. The program consists of workshops that educate the students about important aspects of college life, such as student resources, financial aid, and EOP (Educational Opportunity Programs). Student Alliance of North American Indians (SANAI) The Student Alliance of Northern American Indians (SANAI) hosts events that focus on Native American high school students, so as to expose them to UCSC and student life. These outreach projects expose Native American youth to the campus and to the strong Native community at UCSC. |
