Student Center and Event Services

Paint It Pink

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Nel Tristan

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international campaign seeking to uplift survivors and current patients and to raise funds for the study and treatment of the disease. It affects women and men, both young and old, though it is most frequently found in women over the age of 50. The campaign encourages the spread of information about the disease, such as its earliest symptoms and the importance of testing.

The UCI Student Center was lit pink at night, in a show of solidarity with individuals whose lives have been affected by the disease. The Student Center remained lit until the end of October.

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

Welcome to the 2020 – 21 academic school year. This year’s “new normal” means a new commuter lounge for students, new ways to promote online events, soft-seating study spaces, and much more. Browse the recent news and highlights to learn about free webinar support from the Student Center now through Oct. 31. View a free, one-hour event recorded live with internationally recognized artist Alisa Singer or take a look at the all-new blog by student writers. The Student Center encourages you to explore our online home as we look for ways to stay connected while physically apart.

Commuter Lounge

All-New Commuter Lounge

Students’ Home Away From Home

Currently under construction, the new commuter lounge is designed to make students feel at home while on the go. Located in the Information Center, charging stations, a refrigerator, microwave, and super comfortable lounge furniture will create a welcoming and relaxing respite for nourishing and relaxing between classes.

Feminine hygiene dispenser

Feminine Hygiene Dispensers

Essentials Delivered

Feminine hygiene dispensers were among the list of concerns students presented at the 2019 Randy Lewis All-University Leadership Conference. The Student Center eagerly obliged being the first on campus to widely install 12 new dispensers making free products available in the Student Center. It really was that simple!

LightItBlue

#LightItBlue

A National Campaign

Until the campus returns to site and students resume in-person instruction, the Student Center will remain lit blue. It’s part of the global #LightItBlue campaign showing gratitude for frontline healthcare staff and essential workers everywhere helping in countless ways.

Student Center

SCES Gives

Donated Food and PPE

Sometimes value is created by what we give. When 53 boxes, totaling nearly 1,800 items, could not be shared with students gone in remote learning mode, it was donated to the FRESH Basic Needs Hub for upcoming food distribution days on campus. And to meet the needs of UCI healthcare providers during the emergency call for personal protective equipment in March—when the pandemic shook the campus with uncertainty and facial coverings were scarce—the Student Center donated 16,800 mL of hand sanitizer, 7,700 gloves, 23 N95 face coverings, 600 dust coverings, 150 protective coats, seven full-body protective suits, and 20 pairs of shoe covers.

Student Center staff

Student Center Website Redesign

Coming Soon

Team goes beyond the basics with innovative website workings. Soon, there will be new ways to plan events, book spaces, interact, learn, and enjoy! All of the pages were designed with an assiduous focus on accessibility and some pages were based on a weeklong Design Challenge with enthusiastic, and equally as talented, UCI student organizations. The Sustainability page puts a fresh spin on the Student Center’s renewed commitment to societal responsibility and includes real-time data from smart waste bins. The new Virtual Event pages include free downloads and new product and service offerings.

IACC Green Star Award

 Award

IACC Green Star Certification

Awarded at the platinum level with one-hundred percent compliance, the Student Center has joined a world-wide effort for greater sustainability. From among some of the most prestigious brands in the Conference Center industry, currently representing eleven countries, the IACC Green Star commitment to sustainability far surpasses traditional green practices in the areas of waste management, recycling, water conservation, purchasing, energy management, and air quality for event venues. Eco-friendly practices are the default to UCI’s operations and the Student Center plans to help lead the way for generations to come.

Parasite

Student Center Blog

The Untold Story

Two English majors Alex Cardona, class of 2020, and Nel Tristan, class of 2021, laid the literary groundwork starting a new team of student writers at the Student Center. They began writing stories for the Student Center blog. It was about finding a voice for stories that mattered to folks on campus. But the team evolved to include the rise of UX writing but also traditional marketing copy and technical writing. Their stories can be read online on the Student Center blog. The hope is to humanize the student experience for site visitors and to grow the team of students with shared literary and business-ready aspirations.

Student Center Blog

Student Center staff

Virtual Events

Free Webinar Support

When in March our lives were disrupted by the “new normal,” innovation gave rise to virtual event and planning services. There are countless ways to stay connected while physically apart, including completely new and free ways to promote your online workshops, conferences and events, free webinar support now through Oct. 31, and free virtual backgrounds that will help you make the right impression the next time you’re online. Through remote work, many lessons were learned that should not be soon forgotten. See what’s happening in the vast, unique territory of virtual conferences and events.

Virtual Meetings and Events at UCI

Digital Display Kiosk

Smart Displays

A Touch of Campus Life

Digital directories on the Terrace near Ring Mall and outside the Doheny meeting rooms near the Anteater Steps are close to completion. The touch screen displays show current campus events in real-time, building maps, and a directory of services, dining, retail, and entertainment options. Now what’s happening inside the Student Center can be seen outside by all Student Center guests.

Adjustable smart lighting

Smart Lighting

See Watts Up!

Adjustable LED lighting system reduces power usage by 25%. The adjustable lighting at the Cross-Cultural Center and most places in the Student Center allow conference guests to adjust lighting to use only what they need while lights automatically either dim or shut off in motionless offices and venues. With most standards retrofitted for savings, the Crystal Cove Auditorium is next in line for smart lighting.

Art on Display

The Art of Climate Change Event

Learn the Science. Love the Art.

Some of the best art you’ve never seen is currently on display in the Ballroom Lobby. With the campus in remote-learning mode, 11 show-stopping pieces of plus-sized Environmental Graphiti have gone unnoticed.

View the Art

Art of Climate Change

Watch Student Center Marketing Manager Brian Petyo probe the artist’s imagination in this free, one-hour event recorded live with internationally recognized artist Alisa Singer. It’s arguably one of the most important topics of our time as Singer opens up about the true source of her inspiration and shares some of her newest work on COVID-19 and Climate Change.

 Watch on YouTube

WorkYourMask

#WorkYourMask

Because They Work

Classy chic this fall is easy. Our long-nosed mascot shows you how. In a series of 17 social media submissions, two of the most popular were original drawings by student UI designer Kayla Yee and Certified Meeting Professional Jackie Kuniyoshi. You’ll see Peter the Anteater like never before along with 15 other submissions totaling 25 pictures in support of the campus-wide #WorkYourMask social media awareness campaign. Submissions came from Student Center employees posing with their families, Big Foot, and their pets.

Design Challenge

Student Center Teams Up for Design Challenge

Students Win Cash Prizes

UCI design students tackle real-world problems in a weeklong challenge to reimagine the Student Center’s online home. Presented by Design at UCI and the ICS Student Council together with the Student Center, Gianna Nguyen won Best Overall Design for her work on the campus organization’s page. Marawin Chheang and Debi Vu teamed up to win the Most Aesthetic category with awards give to Ryan Hartanto for the Most Creative design and Yoo Keoung Oh for the Best Accessibility award. Their work was used in the all-new and improved Student Center website redesign launching soon.

Student Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Apply Online

It’s easier than ever to apply online for a student job at the Student Center. To view a list of openings, visit the Employment Opportunities page today. Fill out an application and upload your résumé. If a position is currently unavailable, set a reminder to check back often as positions open throughout the year.

Student Center Employment Opportunities

New furniture

New Lounge Furniture

Connected in Comfort

Socializing lobby space means furniture designed to bring students, faculty, and staff together with areas for interactive group discussion but also areas for quiet reflection. Installed throughout the Student Center, you’ll find soft-seating arrangements with charging stations, ergonomic designs, comfort, and a contemporary style.

Ballroom Patio

Window Tinting

More than What Meets the Eye

Plentiful daylight can be healthy and productive. But a vast expanse of large windows is expensive to manage. By tinting hundreds of windows in Student Center North and Student Center South buildings, energy loads were decreased and outside heat entering the building reduced by 95%. Additional benefits include an eye-catching aesthetic and added security. This is all part of making sustainability a part of the Student Center’s operations.

Student Center Board of Advisors

Student Center Board of Advisors Logo Contest

Computer Science major Lee Bahir wins the Student Center Board of Advisors logo contest. Chosen from among 54 graduate and undergraduate submissions, the new logo will debut this fall on the board’s all-new website to include a lineup of activities and leadership opportunities. Congratulations also to second-place winner psychology student Cindy Cao and third-place winner juris doctorate candidate Pk Padilla.

Student Center Board of Advisors

ACUI Award

 Award

ACUI Excellence in Student Training Program

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) recognized The Level Up Program and website with the 2020 Excellence in Student Training Program award. The program was selected as a model to other campuses as a creative educational program having a positive impact on student performance and capabilities. The program itself being built in large part by UCI students under the guidance of Student Center leadership and management is direct evidence of the program’s ability to get the most from students.

Level Up is a student-made, user-friendly web application for tracking the professional development of the organization’s employees.

NACAS Award

 Award

NACAS Innovative Achievement in Auxiliary Services

The National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) recognized The Level Up Program as an imaginative and unique professional development tool that can be adapted at other institutions preparing students for success now and for all future professional settings. The program consists of a custom-designed and built website with administrative dashboards and real-time, interactive pages for students.

Level Up is a student-made, user-friendly web application for tracking the professional development of the organization’s employees.

CTEA Award

 Award

California Team Excellence Award

It all started in a closet with a team that dared to be different and that tried to make a difference. Learn what students Tommy Patierno, Chris Rodriguez, Sarah Li, and Rebekah Li have to say about their team being recognized as the sole recipient of the California Team Excellence Award. Student writer Alex Cardona shares the team’s secrets on this extraordinary journey from an AV closet to the Balboa Bay Resort to statewide recognition for performance excellence. “It’s not common and it’s not sense” says Marketing Manager Brian Petyo. Read the full story for more.

The Journey Toward Performance Excellence

SCES Celebrates Class of 2020

The Student Center Celebrates the Class of 2020

Off Script and All Online

It wasn’t the graduation they had expected. So staff put together a fun-spirited Instagram collage with a special message of thanks. And every hour on June 12 averaging about seven posts per hour, 51 graduating students were recognized with individual pictures and senior quotes. That’s over seven hours of Instagram and Facebook posts for a total of 102 posts to commemorate the occasion. See the posts, a virtual commencement video, and much more on the Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement web page.

The Student Center Celebrates the Class of 2020

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Alexander Cardona

On February 26, 2020, the Student Center IT Developer Team was awarded the California Team Excellence Award (CTEA), one of the state’s most prestigious awards for performance excellence.

The requirements consist of rigorous assessment in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, knowledge management, workforce engagement, and day-to-day operations. Under the leadership of Marketing and IT Developer Manager Brian Petyo, with the vigor and zeal of UCI’s Anteater student employees, the student IT developer team claimed their fourth award in the span of two years. But what is the driving force behind the student developer team? How do they push for performance excellence?

IACC Innovations Award

IT Developer Team proudly displays their IACC Innovations Award in their closet space in 2018.

Since 2018, Petyo has fostered the developer team from their humble beginnings to the world-class and award-winning team that they are today. “It all started in a closet,” Petyo says. From those days spent in a leaky closet, a single workbench, and a doorless office, Petyo and the team were continuously rewarded with award after award for their drive and efforts.

“I remember showing up for my first day of work and being introduced to our closet office,” says full-stack web developer, Thomas Patierno. “Generally, it was okay when two to four people were in the office, but if any more than that were there people would have no place to sit or would just have to stand—or leave.” Patierno was the first and, at the time, the only web developer. He was hired to work on the Level Up web application, which later won the developer team the CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award, and has seen the team grow by leaps and bounds from the tiny office he was hired in. While Patierno recounts that the team’s closet office left much to be desired, he attests that it was Petyo’s perseverance and consistent leadership that eventually allowed them to secure an office space of their own and pushed them toward the path to new achievements.

“Our very first app was the Real-Time Ops app and it turned a lot of heads,” Petyo says, reminiscing. This app helped Student Center staff with data literacy and time efficiency by optimizing inventory controls, shift reports, and cost recovery. “I looked right at David, the designer, it was just me and him in that AV closet, and I said, ‘We’re going to win an award for this.’” And win an award they did. In April 2018, Petyo was in Philadelphia to receive the America’s Innovation Award for Real-Time Ops.

IT Developer Team

IT Developer Team in their new office space in 2019.

“What was fascinating about that app is that it was a direct result of me sitting down with the Baldrige framework and saying, ‘Okay, how do we listen to the voice of the customer?’ I think that’s the magic of responding to tough questions about your business, right? It’s that you will have those ‘aha’ moments. That was innovation. It’s in the name of the award that we won and it’s at the center of the Baldrige Framework and Performance Excellence Program. Innovation, innovation, innovation.”

But what is the Baldrige Framework, and what is performance excellence?

Malcolm Baldrige was a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, serving from 1981 to 1987. Throughout his term, he improved the efficiency and effectiveness of many government policies. The guidelines and practices of the California Council for Excellence are Baldrige-based and stem from his legacy of best business practices.

Petyo sees the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework and the CTEA as a way to learn and embody the language of business. For him, this framework is the most comprehensive set of guidelines when it comes to teaching terminology, understanding improvement tools and devices, data literacy, and going beyond the science of management.

CASE Award

The IT Developer Team wins the CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award

From that point on, Petyo pushed himself and the team to strive for performance excellence, the framework which guided their vision for success. “2019 became our benchmark year. That’s when our team really grew to capacity; space and budget and all that,” Petyo says. This was the year the team took the step toward something different and took their dedication to performance excellence to the highest level. The team won another award, the CASE Circle of Excellence Silver Award for their Level Up web application. The app was chosen among 2,800 submissions for its ability to help business managers measure workplace capacity, capabilities, opportunities for growth, and enabling of professional advancement. They committed to becoming a model of national excellence and went after the California Team Excellence Award.

“We want to be that shining light on a hill. That ray of light on a stormy night at sea,” Petyo continues. “We want U.S. organizations to look at us for best practices, and I believe that there is enough talent here at UCI to make that happen.”

The CTEA award ceremony was a chance for both Petyo and the student team to truly revel in their work and take pride in their achievements thus far. “It felt amazing to be awarded for our work,” says developer Sarah Li. “The whole CTEA process was a long journey. The ceremony was an experience that recognized us for our dedication to process refinement and team building. It was a day full of networking, recognition, and fun!”

Fellow developer Chris Rodriguez shares her sentiment. “It makes me feel like my work extends beyond the walls of the Student Center, and honestly I didn’t think I’d get to have that opportunity here,” he says. “I’d say the best part was seeing how happy and proud Brian was of the team,” Rodriguez says when asked about the ceremony. “Brian does a good job of giving the team a vision. He cares about our opinions and doesn’t override them, even if they aren’t what he wants to hear. He respects our knowledge as developers, and in turn, we try and do what we can to complete the objectives he creates.” Many members of the team also team testify that Petyo’s efforts were tantamount to their success.

“I see this more as an award for Brian’s hard work in investing into each and every one of us and growing the team to how it is today,” says developer Rebekah Li. The office has changed much in Li’s year working the position. She has seen the space grow and change in terms of structure and in the capabilities of the team, and throughout it all Petyo has been there as a constant driving force. “He is always a leader for us, always trying to get what’s best for us and looking into ways to grow and improve the office and team as a whole. He’s not afraid of trying something new and taking on new projects and exploring new directions.”

Current Team

The current (2020) Student Center Marketing and IT Developer team

The team has grown exponentially since its inception, due to both Petyo and the team’s own efforts. Patierno remarks that when he was hired his interview was bared-boned, spanning about fifteen minutes with no code assessment of any kind. Now, developer team interviews are nearly an hour, with a well-defined set of behavioral, programming, and coding assessment questions. “While I can hardly credit Brian for developing these technical questions,” Patierno says, “I can credit Brian with giving us—student employees—the opportunity to run the interviews and assess the candidates as we see fit for their job description.” Through the chances given to shine through their strengths and innovate, this group of UCI students has been able to push the boundary for success again and again.

“It’s always special to be recognized for having done an exceptional job on something, beyond just having satisfied employer or job requirements,” says Patierno. “Even though the whole team could not attend, it was really special to see the team as a whole being recognized for our work.” In the past, the awards the developer team had received had been for a specific project or a subteam, but winning the CTEA for performance excellence was something that all the developers could all take pride in together.

Petyo truly values the intelligence and potential of UCI’s Anteaters and is incredibly proud of the progress and members of the developer team. “I think sometimes people think leadership is common sense. It’s not common, and it’s not sense,” Petyo says. “There’s nothing common sense about being excellent or best in class. You can’t just say ‘I want to be best in class,’ you have to prove it.”

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Nel Tristan

The COVID-19 crisis is stressful enough for those staying indoors watching news reports to stay updated on the crisis. For those essential workers out in the frontlines, the risks are palpable each day they show up to work. From grocery store employees to health care workers, to the doctors and nurses providing care to patients amidst the crisis, there are so many people out there who are working hard for their communities. Because of them, we are still able to buy groceries, order take-out, seek treatment for ailments, and otherwise preserve our lifestyles as best as we can.

There is no gesture grand enough to thank essential employees for all the work they are doing, but UC campuses are trying to honor their sacrifice.

Every night, starting April 21, the UCI Student Center will wash its building in blue light to show support for those workers who are not offered reprieve during the pandemic. These essential workers ensure that the world keeps operating smoothly, and that the people who need assistance or treatment are given the help they need. We are grateful for all those risking their lives for their communities, and offer our appreciation through this gesture.

The buildings will remain lit until the campus resumes full operation, and the student body returns to classes.

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Nel Tristan

The Student Center installed new thought-provoking canvas digital reproductions outside the Pacific Ballroom.

Environmental Graphiti in the Pacific Ballroom

You may have noticed them, sitting on previously empty walls. Considering they stand 10 feet tall, towering over the space, they are hard to miss. You may have noticed they’re not the typical UCI brand, like the hallway lined with shots of our favorite anteater.

The paintings are abstract, and you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at.

Maybe it’s a whale gliding across its navy and gold canvas. Smokestacks rising over violet smog into the blazing sky. Space was a pretty common assumption. A few people saw oily rivers and spilled gasoline, which is a little closer to the mark.

Climate Refugees

“Climate Refugees”

Maybe you see it immediately. That’s a graph, and you are right. You are looking at a graph. You are looking at carbon emissions. You are looking at fossil fuels and climate refugees and influences on warming.

You are looking at climate change and the impact it has across the globe.

Any confusion you feel toward the image is entirely intentional. “Environmental Graphiti—The Art of Climate Change” was conceived in 2014 by artist Alisa Singer, with the intent of raising awareness about the threat climate change poses to the environment. Singer transforms infographics and statistics into vibrant works of digital art. The pieces are designed to make you look twice, so you begin to see the patterns in the flurry of colors and shapes.

“When you first see an exhibit of the paintings, they appear abstract,” Singer says. “But each piece is displayed with a wall plaque that shows the graphic data from which the piece was derived, together with a short summary of the key message. Once people realize the art comes from the graph, they begin a back-and-forth process of looking for the outlines of the graph in the art and figuring out what the graph means. By this process, the viewers find themselves engaged in the science, as well as the art.”

Singer’s intention is increase audience engagement with her artwork and raise awareness through its eye-catching visuals, so vibrant you have no choice but to stop and look. She brings issues regarding climate change to light, in a manner which is visually interesting and more easily accessible to the public. Looking translates directly to engaging, which is the first step to considering a more sustainable lifestyle.

Pathways for Reducing Emissions

“Pathways for Reducing Emissions”

“I found the general public’s lack of alarm about the compelling facts regarding climate changes somewhat bewildering. It seemed likely that many people were confused or intimidated by the charts and graphs depicting the science, and it occurred to me that art could become the vehicle for delivering the facts in a more user-friendly way,” Singer says. “Each piece in the collection of over 80 pieces uses as its blueprint—a chart, graph, map, word or number relating to a key fact about climate change.”

From changing temperatures, to the projected rising of sea levels, Singer’s art covers a broad range of relevant topics. The pieces are all constructed digitally, allowing Singer a wider distribution for her artwork, and to enable Singer more freedom to build off the graphs she chooses as a base. “Each piece must stand independently from an aesthetic perspective, but can be morphed back into the original graph to demonstrate that it was derived from the data. The choice of colors and textures is very serendipitous – happy accidents and all that.”

Though certain organizations on campus were already aware of her work, Singer did not become a main feature of the Student Center hallways until Marketing Manager Brian Petyo happened across her piece, “Current and Projected Arctic Ice Conditions” while passing through the Sustainability Resource Center. Petyo became enamored with her unique style and the message embedded in the colorful pixel strata. He quickly worked to get into contact with Singer. He knew that he wanted to put her artwork on the walls, and he wanted the pieces blown up to epic proportions. “We upsized this art,” says Petyo. “It’s in your face. It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s an aesthetic for the science.”

Fossil Fuels Impact on Human Health

“Fossil Fuels Impact on Human Health”

The motives behind Singer’s collection aligns with the university’s goals for sustainability and environmental awareness. Hanging her artwork on the walls is yet another way of entering the conversation. Nothing says more than the 10 feet tall canvases, which the in-house maintenance team carried through the hallways.

“We’re shaping the space,” Petyo continues. “We’re shaping behaviors and we’re shaping the conversation around climate change. We have to put our values on the wall. Maybe you’re not researching sustainability, and maybe you don’t have a way to actually clean the oceans. But no matter what you’re doing, or who you are, or what your product is, you will find a way to be creative and help. Maybe, it’s just bringing awareness to a big problem. There is a way to join.”

Singer asks you to contemplate matters which may be at the forefront of your mind, or maybe the back. By breathing life into the statistics, offering art that is stunning and interesting, she encourages her audience to be more aware of the impacts of climate change. Whether you’re intimidated by the statistics or disinterested in the details, Singer ensures you have no choice but to stop and look at the numbers in the colors.

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Alexander Cardona

Debuting at the end of 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign is the result of UCI’s latest ambition. Manifesting in what Chancellor Howard Gillman calls “the most ambitious fundraising engagement campaign in the history of UCI and Orange County,” the Student Center captures this brilliance in the places where students gather the most. Take a look around the Student Center and you’ll see various artistic decals that were launched to celebrate UCI’s Brilliant Future.

One decal appears at the entrance of the Student Center. Like fresh paint on a canvas, it reads “UCI Brilliant Future” surrounded in swirling brushstrokes of orange, blue, and gold.

Front Entry Decal

Just up the stairs is a massive Peter the Anteater that is 16 feet wide. It rests on the wall in the Crystal Cove Auditorium Lobby.

Peter the Anteater in Crystal Cove Auditorium

Between the Terrace Lounge and the West Food Court is another decal. It reads “The Future Is Bright. Stop at Nothing to Make It Brilliant,” with waves of blue, gold, and orange brushstrokes beneath it.

Brilliant Future Decal

In addition, above on the walls near the Terrace Lounge are decals that list accolades UCI has accumulated in its goal to pave the way toward a brighter future.

Accolades

For UCI, Brilliant Future is both a celebration of UCI’s accomplishments so far and a beacon of things yet to come. Setting the decals in the Student Center, creating a visual celebration of something that students could enjoy and see, was no easy task. But it was a very rewarding task for marketing manager Brian Petyo.

“We were thinking, hey we got this blank wall up there,” Brian says when asked about the decals. “We were originally just going to put up our tagline, but we decided to go a bit further, a bit bigger, a little bit bolder to create a wonderful umbrella experience. I’m glad we did it.”

Installing the artwork had its own set of hurdles. The decals came in multiple pieces, with some of them being over 20 by 20 feet. “Our first run, we actually got some of the letters, like the “U’s” the letter “U” in “Future”, were too small,” Brian continues. “We had to cut out each individual letter, each of those pieces were individually cut … and then we realized that some of the letters were in a different sized font.” Brian laughs. “How does that happen?”

Despite the roadblocks, above all else, Brian wants the decal artwork and Brilliant Future campaign to bring the campus together and to immerse students in the Anteater spirit. “I want the students to be a part of everything, even this fundraising initiative,” Brian smiles. “Make the Student Center a more fun place to be, right?”

As a final part of the Brilliant Future campaign, in an effort to further brighten the path for UCI students, at dusk the Student Center bell tower and main entrance glow the school colors of blue and gold.

Main Entrance
Bell Tower

For many of UCI’s Anteaters, the Student Center is a haven where they can study, rest, and relax throughout the day. With UCI’s Brilliant Future on the horizon, the Student Center will continue to make these days a little brighter.

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

Out of an abundance of caution to support the safety and well-being of the UCI community, the Student Center is currently closed through April 5. We plan to reopen on Monday, April 6. Planners are available to assist with event modifications and will provide updates and further guidance on the effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) on events that were scheduled through the Student Center.

What is the Student Center doing?

Hand Sanitizer Dispenser

As the circumstances surrounding coronavirus continue to evolve, the event planning team and operational staff will continue to plan, prepare, and take action with safety as a top priority.

  • Events and gatherings with 100 or more participants are being canceled through June 12, 2020
  • Reservations are not being accepted for events of 100 or more participants for dates on or before June 12, 2020
  • The University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate or cancel reservations of 100 or more participants for dates between June 13, 2020 and September 27, 2020
  • Freestanding hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the Student Center
  • All restrooms are rigorously disinfected every hour during operating hours
  • Elevator buttons and handrails are cleaned hourly
  • Common gathering areas and all door handles throughout the Student Center buildings are thoroughly disinfected twice daily
  • Event staff have been instructed to stay home when sick and to keep a socially responsible distance whenever possible

Please check back regularly as policies and procedures may change or be updated.

What can guests do?

We understand that you may feel some uncertainties surrounding coronavirus and might be wondering how it will impact your event. The Student Center will update this page as new information becomes available. We will also publish a list of postponed and canceled events online. Guests are encouraged to contact their event host for the most up-to-date information on event modifications or possible cancellations.

The Student Center team wishes to express our concern and let you know that we understand the inconvenience surrounding the uncertainties of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Please be patient as we work together to take definitive measures that are socially responsible for everyone.

Home Articles by: Diana Schombert

by Nel Tristan

The tables are set.

Piles of food wait in chilled lobbies, under the starlight canopy of Paul Merage business school, or perhaps behind the polished glass of Barclay Theatre. Inviting stacks of pastries or vats of catering, all waiting for the guests to arrive. It’s enough to make your mouth water as you pass by, certainly worth sparing a much longer glance than necessary, if only to wonder what all the food is for.

Wouldn’t it be nice to walk up and claim a meal whenever you want? Isn’t that the dream for most college students?

FRESH Basic Needs Hub has got your back.

Their text-based platform, Zot Bites, sends out text messages to students registered with their system, letting them know whenever there is some leftover grub from an on-campus event. So long as the caterer is partners with Zot Bites, all students need to do is show up on time to get their free meal after receiving the text.

Guided by Andrea Gutierrez, director of UCI’s FRESH Hub, with Michael Millis handling the development of the platform and Ricardo Casillas aiding the project, free meals are made available to the patrons of FRESH Hub. “My hope is that as many students as possible find out about this application and sign up!” says Millis. “So much unused food goes to waste on campus and I would love to know that it goes to students instead of the trash.”

The system was first implemented successfully by UC San Francisco, and other campuses have been following their lead in their mission to provide basic needs to the student body. “The model existed,” says Gutierrez, “so basically from there on I just started looking into, ‘how do we replicate the program at UCI?’”

The day of the release, Millis was nervous about the success of his application. “I was an exhibitor at the Tech Expo, and at the end of the event we had a bunch of leftover food. Wayne Fields, my boss, coordinated with the event lead to ask if we could send the first text message to Zot Bites users, so I ran over to FRESH Hub and Ricardo and I sent out the first text! It was nerve-wracking, but overall, I had faith in my code,” says Millis.

The first recipient of a Zot Bites meal, Mariel Hernandez, was excited to play a part in the platform’s first official launch. As a FRESH Hub employee, Hernandez is familiar with the plight of students who lack ready access to meals. “I think it is one of the most resourceful ideas I have witnessed both as an employee and as a student who frequents the space for groceries. It is a symbolic process that I believe will definitely impact food waste on campus along with food insecurity among college students.” Now, students have another option for cheap eats around campus when the budget gets tight.

Zot Bites ties in with UCI’s sustainability initiative of zero waste, ensuring that no food goes to waste when it can be put in the hands (and mouths) of the Anteater community; however, the more pressing goal of the platform is to provide meals to students. “The part we are very interested in is making sure that more students have access to food,” Gutierrez says, “specifically, because these foods are good to eat still. It’s providing further access to food to students who might need it.”

Event directors account for any additional time set aside at the conclusion of an event, so that students have time to pick up any leftovers they have. Signing up for the application is as easy as visiting their site and hitting the “Register” link. “I got all my friends on it,” Hernandez says. “It gives me a warm feeling to walk around campus and see my peers react to a message from Zot Bites. It inspires me to continue advocating for food insecurity and find ways to make food more accessible.” So long as you’ve paid a visit to FRESH Hub within the last twelve months, you can opt into the program and start receiving notifications whenever there are meals available.

Spread the word and help support FRESH Hub’s efforts to secure basic needs for the community.


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