Re: Message to students regarding “4-20”

UCSC is committed to providing a safe, healthy living and learning environment in which you can thrive while earning a world class education. To that end, I write regarding a non-University sanctioned event often referred to as “Four-Twenty” or “4/20.” This unsanctioned, unwelcome and illegal activity diminishes UCSC’s reputation and draws negative attention to the campus. Additionally, this event creates multiple challenges for the campus and creates unacceptable risks to safety. Your safety is paramount, as is the need to continue campus operations that support learning. Therefore, the following measures will be in place:

April 17 – April 20:

• A “no-guest” policy in on-campus residence halls has been instituted per contractual agreements. The “no overnight guest” policy begins Friday, April 17 and concludes on Monday, April 20.

On Monday, April 20:

• The West Entrance to campus will be closed to inbound vehicular traffic, beginning at 3 p.m. and will remain closed until traffic personnel determine that it is appropriate to re-open.
  
• Metro buses and campus shuttles, including the "loop" vehicles, will be re-routed away from the west side of campus, beginning at 3 pm. Metro buses will enter campus through the Main entrance only, travel up Coolidge, and loop back to the Main Entrance via Hagar. Metro buses during this period of time will only make one stop in the campus core: on Hagar, between Quarry Plaza and OPERS.
  
• A reduced number of campus shuttles will continue to connect the east and west sides of campus—following the normal "core" route west, before turning uphill on Heller, and returning along McLaughlin to the east side of campus. (Disability van service, with the possible exception of delays caused by traffic congestion, will
• Campus parking regulations will be strictly enforced.
  
• Sections of Empire Grade, uphill from the Arboretum, will be designated as a tow-away zone. Extra patrols will be on duty to enforce this restriction, and vehicles will be ticketed and towed at owners' expense.

UCSC continues to educate students about the risks of alcohol and drug use, provide alternative activities, and enforce University policies. Yet, ultimately, activities such as this are shaped by the individual choices and behaviors of community members. I encourage you to engage with your peers, other university community members and Student Affairs staff about these issues. We can support you in planning and participating in alternative activities that highlight your accomplishments as scholars and engaged world citizens.