<p>Haha, yeah, False Starts are very bad. The school administration looks the other way for this tradition (it is technically indecent exposure and could be punished), but the False Starts cause the administration to be not so happy and more likely to not look the other way anymore. I think my main issue is that so few remember why it started and it’s just become a “run naked in the rain” event for most. I don’t participate myself, but it is a tradition I would be sad if it was gone. Getting the right rain is a huge problem too. Usually it happens in October, but it didn’t happen until early in winter quarter this year. Good to see a parent who finds the humor in it all :)</p>
<p>For more well known groups, you don’t hear much about them. However, there are a lot of concerts up at the Shark Tank in San Jose and it’s an easy ride up there (highway 17 bus takes you right to SJ Down Town and in spitting distance of the Shark Tank; it’s about an hour ride). I’ve seen a lot of fliers for local groups, but it’s difficult to tell what genre they are. Hopefully someone will have more information on that. As much as I love music, I’m rather busy with my classes (I take excessive units most of the time).</p>
<p>Athletics would be able to better someone else in detail, but I do know that we’re a NCAA Division III school (apparently the only on in the UC system according to the athletics website). So sports aren’t a big thing, but we do have some sports. Soccer is included, though :). I hear the most about lacross.</p>
<p>Women’s soccer information: [UC</a> Santa Cruz Athletics](<a href=“http://www.goslugs.com/teams/soccer/women/wsoc.html]UC”>http://www.goslugs.com/teams/soccer/women/wsoc.html)</p>
<p>UCSC is definitely an absolutely breathtaking campus for those who don’t mind being in a forest. Some of the views of the ocean on a clear day are so beautiful. There’s really not as much to do as you might find in the bigger cities, but there is plenty for the person who seeks them out (or is like and likes the lack of distractions). There are a lot of clubs and other activities to participate in. Sadly, sometimes fees do have to be charged to attend some events (or even certain clubs), but that has to do with the cost of putting them on. For clubs, most of them if they charge a fee will nearly always allow the first drop in to be free (I’ve yet to see it otherwise). For performances, it varies, but for the most part the fees for at least plays are already included in our student fees. There’s nearly always a very reduced rate for students if there is a fee.</p>
<p>There are summer bands on the beach in, well, the summer, but these are not always bands many have heard of (older bands that were well known in their time, though). They’re free, but in the summer when many students are gone. The Regal movie theater down town is also known to show “flashback movies” every Thursday evening starting from about March to sometime in the fall. Last I went to one (Blazing Saddles), it was $5 for the ticket. Not bad considering that a lot of evening tickets at movie theaters are starting to run $10+ nowadays.</p>
<p>If your daughter is in to good, fresh food, I highly recommend Santa Cruz’s farmers markets. Prices are usually reasonable and I’ve yet to not like what I’ve bought. I cannot recommend the vendor Scream Sorbet enough. Delicious, but sometimes odd sounding flavors with the texture of ice cream. All ingredients the company uses are from local farms so the flavors are seasonal.</p>
<p>Sorry for the digression, I’ve missed my Scream Sorbet treat since they left the down town market for the winter… Anywho, there is both a lot to do and not much to do at all. It really depends on one’s interests and how much one is willing to go out and find things to do. The isolation of campus while a blessing for safety is also a hindrance in easily doing activities that are off campus. We do get free use of the county bus system, though :)</p>
<p>Sorry I can’t offer more information on activities. My time is taken up by my classes and the performances I help with so I don’t get to do much and often prefer to relax during my free time (theatre arts and literature double major). I really hope someone else who does participate in these things takes the time to answer how their experience was with the things your daughter is interested in.</p>
<p>EDIT: Just wanted to add something that doesn’t seem to be as well known as it should be. The study abroad programs at all the UCs are available to all UC students. One is not limited to only their UC’s study abroad options (if this is something your daughter might be interested in).</p>