Photo by Jessica Tran.

“I am not confident at all, that’s why I’m going to grad school after I graduate college.”

Angela Sevilla

Fourth-year, Porter

Literature, creative writing

Photo by Jessica Tran.

“I have two majors — I guess I have a little more background versatility than other people. My plan is also not to enter the job market directly. I plan to join the Peace Corps after college and then enter the job market.”

Jason Fitzcutlet

Fourth-year, Cowell

Environmental science and psychology

Photo by Jessica Tran.

“I plan on staying in school forever. My plans after college are grad school, professional school and then being a professor. I am confident we will always need teachers. As long as I stay smart and motivated I’m not worried about jobs.”

Leigh Douglas

Second-year, College Eight

Philosophy and cognitive science

Photo by Jessica Tran.

“Very confident. At the job fair I was at last week, the second I would say I’m an electrical engineering major they would say, ‘Oh! How are you? Let me give you my email.’ But I think opportunities are a little unfair between the majors.”

Ethan Pinsker

Second-year, Stevenson

Electrical engineering

Compiled by Cassandra Cronin and Sal Ingram.

Compiled by Monica Thunder & Daniel Green

Compiled by Kayla Sikes & Jessica Tran

“I think Proposition 30 is important because it directly impacts us and the rest of the state. I think that while our tuition would rise if it doesn’t pass, the tax’s focus on high income earners may not be completely fair.”

“It depends on my financial situation. When I am financially stable it would [affect my decision], but as a college student I buy the cheaper option regardless of if it was labeled as a GMO. However, I still support labeling.” GMOs.”

Otter (Autumn) Johnson

Second-year, Kresge

Sociology, politics

“It would [affect my decision] because hearing genetically modified makes me think that the food is unnatural. I feel the right to know about my food is important so I support Proposition 37.”

“Try to make budget cuts without affecting class availability”
Olivia Burlet
Third-year, Porter
Psychology

“Work on making classes less impacted … so it’s easier for students to enroll in prerequisites for their majors.”
Paige Morehead
Third-year, Merrill
Psychology

“Scrutinize the salaries and inefficiency of administrative personnel … and protect the interests of students and teachers.”
Charles Hoffman
Third-year, College Nine
Business management and economics

“Give students access to a breakdown of how our tuition gets spent … specifically how much is allocated to each department.”
Angela Tsai
Fourth-year, Merrill
Business management and economics

"I'm really into neuroscience stuff ... and social questions, I'd like to see more of that." Anthony Ortiz, Fourth-year, Stevenson, history and politics

"Herbal and botanical medicine. I would like to see more hard evidence on that." Kaia Jystad, fourth-year, Merrill, Biology

"More research in nanotechnology." Michael Hinojosa, first-year, Merrill, history

"I think the cancer research is amazing ... and anything that would focus on community or ethnic studies." Hannah Mykel, fourth-year, College Ten, cognitive sciences

"I like to think that appearances don't matter in this world, so I try to not think about my appearance in regards to whatever I do, or my experiences." Steve Beltran, third-year, porter, film and digital media.

"I wouldn't think so but then again, I know traveling I went to Morocco with my sister ... and we didn't feel comfortable at night going out just [us

"I'm a dark-skinned male so I think sometimes people might look at me different because of that ... It has caused preconceived notions of me." Ahil PonArul, third-year, college 10, math and economics

"Well, first off, I'm a black woman. I feel like being a woman walking around campus…it makes you look vulnerable. I don't walk around at night by myself. When I went to high school, being an African-American, people definitely looked at me differently. When I came here from Ethiopia, people used to pick on us. I don't know if it was because we were immigrants or if we were black. I never knew the reason. But I feel like [appearances

“To my knowledge there are enough, but I have not participated in any, so it’s hard for me to know. I do see emails about diversity outreach groups.”
Tom Campbell
Fourth-year, Crown
Economics

“I don’t think there are ever enough resources for underrepresented groups in the university. I am Indian, but also Sikh, and I don’t see how the university has been promoting for that particular group.”
Avneet Randhawa
Fourth-year, College Ten
Neuroscience

“So far, I do think they do offer enough. I checked out El Centro, which offers support to minorities. This school has a cool vibe in regards to that sort of thing, and I have liked that about here so far.”
Cassandra De La Torre
First-year, Cowell
MCD Biology

“I think they do, but I don’t really know what they offer.”
Greg Hou
Graduate student
Economics

(from left to right)

“I understand why people use online dating, but it’s no substitute for real dating. I think it’s best to meet people in person.”
Guy Herschmann
Fourth-year, Stevenson
Business management economics
Politics

“It’s unsafe, considering you meet strangers, but it’s cool if you have a busy life.”
Natalie Enriquez
Second-year, College Eight
Neuroscience and behavior

“I think it’s inherently flawed, because you can’t see the intricacies of [potential dates’] behavior.”
Alec Adams
Third-year, Kresge
Linguistics

“To each [their] own.”
Elizabeth Hines
Second-year, Merrill
Psychology

(from left to right)

“Resorting to alcohol as a get away [from] something.”

Angela Troung
Second-year, College 9
Biology

“Any disruption of higher priorities or passions… like family, school or work.”

Jack Mazza
First-year, Porter
Environmental Studies

“Drinking four or more times a week and getting really drunk every time you drink.”

Malarie Chodos
First-year, Porter
Literature

“When alcohol disrupts a relationship or friendship.”

Daniel Becuer
First-year, Porter
Environmental Studies

(from left to right)

“I don’t think it should be a factor, because it doesn’t tell how they’ll lead or how they’ll run a city, or country or whatever. So it doesn’t really make sense to judge them by it.”
Zach Simon
Third-year, Porter
Biochemistry, Molecular biology & Theater arts

“Yeah, I think it is important, because someone’s personal life says a lot about their ethics and their moral values when it comes to something like that. So if they’re not morally ethical in their personal life, I wouldn’t trust someone to run my country.”
Silvia Sanchez
Fifth-year, Stevenson
Anthropology

“Yes I do — I think it should be. I mean, if they’re a politician, they’re going to be working with things. Personal life always does end up affecting things in the long run, and it’s an important part of a person.”
Maureen Argo
First-year, Stevenson
Psychology & Linguistics

“Definitely not. Unless, so long as it’s legal and lawful, but I mean, not like the moral aspects of their private life — that should not affect anything.”
Johan Brandter
Graduate exchange student from Sweden
Linguistics researcher

(from left to right)

“I wish they offered architecture classes, and maybe even a major. With the focus we have on sustainability, I think it would be cool if we could study sustainable building and architecture.”
Alejandro Goena
Second-year, Stevenson
Ecology

“I wish there were pre-dental classes. I really like the campus and I don’t want to leave, but I will have to after I finish my biology GEs.”
Attaley Hernandez
First-year, Kresge
Biology

“I’m an anthropology major, and honestly I’m satisfied with all the classes I get to take. I really can’t think of any.”
Vivian Lei
Fourth-year, College Ten
Anthropology

“Arabic. They have Hebrew, so why not Arabic? It’s taught at every other UC, and I’m losing my fluency.” 
Amr Amr
First-year, Stevenson
Economics

(from left to right)

“It showed solidarity with the rest of the Occupy movements, especially Occupy Education. But it doesn’t sound like it was very effective. It would have been more effective if there were more protesters.”
Kendra Yoshinaga
First-year, Kresge
Undeclared

“It was symbolic because it is Student Services, but I’m confused [about] why Hahn was occupied when they are not the people in charge of making the tuition. “
Rose Greenberg
First-year, Kresge
Undeclared

“It put pressure on administrators to be aware of the students’ demands and to take them seriously. It also raised awareness of the UC-sanctioned pepper spraying of students at UC Davis.”
Andrew Kunz
Third-year, Porter
Music

“Not much. It didn’t raise a noticeable concern from the other parts of campus and it didn’t have much efficacy in raising student awareness.” 
Hannah Monday
Fourth-year, Kresge
Neuroscience

(from left to right)

“Honestly, I don’t really know much about it, so I don’t really know what it does for me.”
Stephanie Alejandre
First-year, Oakes
Undeclared

“A lot of stuff. They basically speak for the students and act as an alliance between the students and the regents.”
Jessica Quintua
Fifth-year, Oakes
Community studies and history

“Probably not a lot. Nothing I notice anyways.”
Paul Vasquez
Third-year, Merrill
History

“It represents the student voices on campus. For the past 10 years we have been working on the Dream Act. Our priority this year is working on voter registration, getting students registered to vote so politicians take us seriously.” 
Shaz Umer, SUA member
Second-year, Merrill
Earth science

(from left to right)

“I would like to see more unity [at UCSC]. I feel we’re really separated by our distinct colleges.”
Briana Adams
Second-year, Kresge
Psychology

“Tuition and class sizes going down.”
Ashley Hopwood
Fourth-year, Stevenson
History

“I know it’s been talked about a lot, but I just wish that public education was more accessible to the public.”
Mark Atkinson
Fourth-year, Porter
Film and Digital Media

“Better distributions of TAs, sections and materials.”
Victoria Howard
Second-year, Cowell
Literature

(from left to right)

“Being there for their kids, making them their top priority, even above work.”
Rebecca Bruce
Second-year, College Eight
Global economy

“Someone who accepts and loves [their children] for who they are.”
Grace Ellison
Third-year, Porter
Astrophysics

“Tough love, showing them how to fold towels up in the bathroom.”
Ryan Moore
Third-year, College Eight
Literature

“Listening to your kids, taking active interest in them.”
Megan Gorman
Third-year, Cowell
Psychology

(from left to right)

“No — that is actually what is happening to my parents right now. My family was involved in the stock market and therefore lost a lot of money, so my parents could not financially support my grandparents.”
Caitlin Milam
Third-year, Stevenson
Cultural anthropology

“Yes, my grandfather has a pension.”
Alice Elliot
Third-year, College Eight
Literature

“Yes — my grandparents do not have economic benefits anyway, because they are immigrants.”
George Semfield
Fourth-year, Cowell
Business management economics

“Probably not just my parents, but my family as a whole could take care of my grandparents.”
Jose Aguilar
Third-year, Merrill
Literature

(from left to right)

“I guess being a hard worker and trying to get through school, and graduate on time — and have a good sense of humor through it all.”
Alestair Price
Third-year, College Eight
Business management economics

“I’m Indian and Irish — that’s a really big part of me because I don’t know anybody else who has that. That’s really special to me.”
Geraldine O’Mara
First-year, Cowell
Human biology

“I’m Canadian — it’s where I got my language and my mindset from.”
Misha Kelly
Second-year, Cowell
Economics

“I guess that would have to be my identity as a student and my focus on academics. The pursuit of knowledge is what matters; it’s the centerpiece of my life.”
David Norman
Third-year, Merrill
History

(from left to right)

“Pretty connected. There are only about 20 students in every class. You have multiple classes with the same people. I do lithography, and it’s a community. There’s always music playing.”
Michelle Spetner
Third-year, Kresge
Art

“Not last year, but more this year. I’m in microeconomics and I don’t know anyone, but in my bio classes it’s cool.”
Alison Scarbrough
Fourth-year, Oakes
Biology

“I haven’t had any classes in the major yet, but I’m in Psychology of Religion, and there’s something there. You get to see reactions.”
Alex Smith
First-year, Stevenson
Psychology

“I’m new to the major, so I’m not connected yet. It’s a pretty big major.”
Rachel Graham
Third-year, Merrill
Sociology

(from left to right)

“I think Wall Street is evil. Occupy Wall Street coming to Santa Cruz is great. We’re a lefty campus, and we’re against the norm here.”
Gita Mehra
Third-year, Cowell
Psychology

“As a whole, i think that the movement represents an uprising of the lower-middle class, and this is totally warranted. But they really need a mission statement for people to relate to.”
Jake Rappoport
Fourth-year, College Nine
Economics/Environmental studies

“I feel what makes America great is if one part of the parts gets too powerful, we always have the ability to level it back to normal. This is not a waste of time at all for the protesters.”
Keanu Erguiza
First-year, Crown
Psychology/Literature

“I wish I were there instead of in Santa Cruz. This financial issue is based around a system which exploits people. Only our people can get together to change things.”
Sharif Zakout
Fourth-year, Kresge
Legal studies

(from left to right)

“I think it’s women being underappreciated in the work force and not deemed as important as men.”
Zuleima Baquedano
First-year, Merrill
History/Feminist studies

“I think that the main issue facing women is making sure they get equal pay for equal work.”
Ian Colby
Fourth-year, Merrill
Politics/Business management economics

“I think women’s progress in inequality is hindered by their own prejudices and expectations.”
Anonymous

“Understanding and using their sex and gender. It fits into the larger context of their own culture.”
Hana Keefe-Guerrero
Third-year, Merrill
Anthropology/Jewish studies minor

“I’d say it’s there, but especially with something like football and basketball, it might be difficult because people are in such a spotlight. It could be very good for the gay community because it shows that, if someone like that has that kind of attention then maybe they could make some positive changes. Overall, it would be a good thing, if someone was more open about it.”
Jared Drechsler
Third-Year, College Nine
Business Management Economics

“If they are willing to come out as an athlete, especially if they’re a man, then it would be an inspiration for other athletes. I think we’re pretty close. Even though there’s still a lot of prejudice in the U.S. against gays, I feel like at least us Californians are really close to being able to accept that completely.”
Lauren Wurst
First-Year, Merrill
Psychology

“I’d love to be optimistic and say we are close, but realistically you have to look at the areas where these sports are so popular. A lot of them are communities where they don’t share Santa Cruz ideals.”
Chelsea Henry
Third-Year, Stevenson
Sociology

“I think we’re getting closer and closer. In the media you see all these things about pride and coming out and being ‘gay and OK.’ I think that’d be good. It would help push other athletes who are probably in the closet because I guess it’s very masculine. To come out, it would probably be good for the community as a whole.”
Parnian Changizzadeh
Fourth-Year, College Nine
MCD Biology