Amidst additions to graduate curriculum, a Ph.D. program in Latin American and Latino studies and a Masters program in feminist studies, there is also a suspension of the American Studies program; a critical race and ethnic studies is in the works and may also enter the university.

The number of Latino applicants to UCSC has increased this year by 23 percent. At this rate, UCSC is on its way to becoming a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and receiving the potential funding that comes with the title.

Large-scale budget cuts now loom over UCSC’s Division of Social Sciences like a dark cloud of uncertainty. As it stands now, the division faces $1.3 million in cuts as the entire university confronts a $13 million state funding cut, adding to the $6 million in cuts left over from last year. “When it comes time to cut the budget, people always cut services, clubs, anything that isn’t the bare bones,” Sebastian said. “They cut the social sciences. When you do that, you cut what makes the UC different. You’re cutting away what makes this community different.” The budget cuts to the social sciences are the largest core budget reduction campuswide, and will affect every program within the division.

Classroom Unit I was filled to more than half of its capacity as students, administrators and faculty addressed concerns about the ongoing budget crisis and program cuts at the Student Union Assembly (SUA)’s town hall meeting last Wednesday.