Any comrades at UC Santa Cruz?

[Le Socialiste]

I recently was accepted to UCSC, and I'm seriously considering it (attending, that is). While the presence (or lack thereof) of a socialist/anarchist group or organization doesn't factor largely in the decision-making process, it is something worth knowing about, I think. So, I guess I pose this question to those who attend or have already attended: what's the situation like at UC Santa Cruz, from an organizational standpoint? I'd say my views vary from Libertarian Socialism to Anarchism (or somewhere in-between). Any information on this would be very much appreciated, as I hope to get more involved (I live in a fairly conservative town). Thanks in advance!

[Jose Gracchus]

My girlfriend and I are hoping to go to grad school there and get involved, so here's to hoping we might be comrades next year!

[redasheville]

The ISO, Socialist Organizer and a bunch of anarchists organize at UCSC.

[Comrade Ian]

Yea, the International Socialist Organization is the only group with an independent self managing branch, and then there's also a large number of Anarchists (Most of whom are fairly informed by Marxism) who we've worked together with over the the last couple years. UCSC also has a History of Conciousness program which is where Huey Newton got his PHD that's great for getting a Marxist education on the side. I'm currently taking a Graduate Seminar on Historical Materialism with an editor of New Left Review, and I've also taken classes explicitly on Marxism or Social Movements theory from radical and revolutionary perspectives. The majority of normal classes are from a liberal perspective, but it is possible to get a fairly solid education in revolutionary theory while you're here. There's also a lot of spoiled rich kids and it is getting more bourgie as the University of California is getting privatized, but UCSC remains a good place to meet and organize with other radicals.

[CynicalIdealist]

I'm thinking about going to UCSC. How do you like being separate from most of the state? I sort of hate it here at my private liberal arts college because the student body is relatively small, and the college feels pretty separate from Portland (despite being there), and I'm worried that UCSC will give me the same feeling. That's why I'm heavily considering going to Berkeley instead.

[Le Socialiste]

My girlfriend and I are hoping to go to grad school there and get involved, so here's to hoping we might be comrades next year!


What are you guys studying, if you don't mind my asking? Hope to see you there (if I end up attending, that is)! :)

[Le Socialiste]

I'm thinking about going to UCSC. How do you like being separate from most of the state? I sort of hate it here at my private liberal arts college because the student body is relatively small, and the college feels pretty separate from Portland (despite being there), and I'm worried that UCSC will give me the same feeling. That's why I'm heavily considering going to Berkeley instead.


It's a little strange, living in a conservative town in a *mostly* liberal state. Granted, liberalism doesn't equate to leftism (something I think we can all agree on), but it would be nice to connect with those of a similar ideological background. What I mean is liberal states tend to attract genuine leftists (more so than conservative ones). Overall though, I've only visited the Santa Cruz campus three times in the last few months, and from what I can tell it's a fairly nice place (socially and politically). Like I've said before, I’m not going to let my politics necessarily affect where I ultimately choose to go—but it would be nice to have the ability to connect with those of like mind. What I like about UCSC is the fact that it’s not quite in the city, but it’s not entirely out of it either (meaning there isn’t quite that much distance between the two if you go by car, bike, or bus). Plus I can appreciate the way it’s organized into separate colleges within the greater university framework. I don’t enough about the student/social atmosphere to tell if it’s along the same lines as your liberal arts college, unfortunately. Berkeley is actually one of the schools I’m still waiting to hear from, but even if I was accepted I’d still have a tough decision on my hands.

[Le Socialiste]

Yea, the International Socialist Organization is the only group with an independent self managing branch, and then there's also a large number of Anarchists (Most of whom are fairly informed by Marxism) who we've worked together with over the the last couple years. UCSC also has a History of Conciousness program which is where Huey Newton got his PHD that's great for getting a Marxist education on the side. I'm currently taking a Graduate Seminar on Historical Materialism with an editor of New Left Review, and I've also taken classes explicitly on Marxism or Social Movements theory from radical and revolutionary perspectives. The majority of normal classes are from a liberal perspective, but it is possible to get a fairly solid education in revolutionary theory while you're here. There's also a lot of spoiled rich kids and it is getting more bourgie as the University of California is getting privatized, but UCSC remains a good place to meet and organize with other radicals.


How organized are the anarchists? I've heard of the ISO, but I've always been wary of joining (not because it's the ISO, but due to my general distrust of party/organizations that claim to be revolutionary but shy away when the situation presents itself). If the ISO is different, I would certainly consider joining. I also mean no offense when I admit my wariness of leftist groups, so please correct me if I've lumped the ISO into a category it doesn't belong (I don't know enough about it).

Is it safe to assume that you guys are fairly active in the Santa Cruz area? I really want to get involved as much as I can while I'm there (if I end up attending).

[Comrade Ian]

Well, not even the most sectarian anarchists would accuse the ISO here of shying away from the struggle, we were on the frontlines of the occupations last year and played a decisive role in building the strike last year that was the most advanced action of the Student movement in the US so far. This year things have calmed down but we're still doing plenty of hard movement work, sounds like there will be another huge swathe of fee hikes and budget cuts around the UC so hopefully we will be able to bring back some of last years energy.

The Anarchists don't have any sort of formal group, it's more an informal anticapitalist/new communist social circle which reaches from Anarcho-Primmies on one end to me on the other. Some are doing pretty awesome work in Santa Cruz Solidarity, a workers solidarity organization being built off the model of Seattle Solidarity, I definitely support it but haven't been to many of their meetings/actions cause I've always had schedule conflicts.

[Jose Gracchus]

What are you guys studying, if you don't mind my asking? Hope to see you there (if I end up attending, that is)! :)

I'm a chemistry and history student but looking at a broad swathe of graduate options [as well as employment] in CA. Obviously I'm attracted to UCSC for everything everyone has mentioned, about the intensity of the activist community and left academic opportunities there.

[Magón]

How organized are the anarchists? I've heard of the ISO, but I've always been wary of joining (not because it's the ISO, but due to my general distrust of party/organizations that claim to be revolutionary but shy away when the situation presents itself). If the ISO is different, I would certainly consider joining. I also mean no offense when I admit my wariness of leftist groups, so please correct me if I've lumped the ISO into a category it doesn't belong (I don't know enough about it).

Is it safe to assume that you guys are fairly active in the Santa Cruz area? I really want to get involved as much as I can while I'm there (if I end up attending).

Anarchists here, are no way as organized as say those in the ISO branch here, but we do what we do when we can. Anarchists and Marxists in Santa Cruz, are probably some of the most active and outspoken, in all of California. If you look hard enough, and meet the right people, there's almost something happening every day or through the week. Big or small. It just depends, but we're definitely the most outspoken than other places in California.



Well, not even the most sectarian anarchists would accuse the ISO here of shying away from the struggle, we were on the frontlines of the occupations last year and played a decisive role in building the strike last year that was the most advanced action of the Student movement in the US so far. This year things have calmed down but we're still doing plenty of hard movement work, sounds like there will be another huge swathe of fee hikes and budget cuts around the UC so hopefully we will be able to bring back some of last years energy.

The Anarchists don't have any sort of formal group, it's more an informal anticapitalist/new communist social circle which reaches from Anarcho-Primmies on one end to me on the other. Some are doing pretty awesome work in Santa Cruz Solidarity, a workers solidarity organization being built off the model of Seattle Solidarity, I definitely support it but haven't been to many of their meetings/actions cause I've always had schedule conflicts.

Whenever I talk to some Anarchists in the Solidarity group, here in SC, I always feel they're taking too much of what Seattle's doing, and just doing it. They don't always try and use what they've done, and meld it to the UCSC students way, or what's happening. They just basically copy and paste. But they have done some cool things, which I've also helped work on in the past, here and there.

[Kassad]

There is a branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Santa Cruz, as well as one nearby in San Jose. I'm providing contact information purely for informational purposes, since there are likely some ideological differences, but you can still get involved with us since we hold educational events and intervene in the struggle.

San José
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 408-829-9507

Santa Cruz
Email: [email protected]