Porter College: A Hub of Creative Expression and Community at UC Santa Cruz
Since its founding in 1969, Porter College has been dedicated to fostering achievement across all academic disciplines, with a particular emphasis on the visual and performing arts. This residential college at the University of California, Santa Cruz, offers a vibrant community where student creativity flourishes through a diverse array of activities, from student highlights and campus events to cherished college traditions and compelling community stories. Porter's creative spirit is vividly brought to life through its regular schedule of concerts, art shows, lectures, and engaging off-campus adventures, making it a dynamic environment for intellectual and artistic growth.
Genesis and Artistic Foundation
Originally established in 1969 as College Five, Porter College was formally dedicated on November 21, 1981. Its location on the lower west side of the university, nestled between Kresge College to the north and Rachel Carson College to the south, offers a scenic setting. Situated on a meadow overlooking the picturesque Monterey Bay, Porter's initial focus was deeply rooted in the visual and performing arts. This artistic inclination was further solidified through a unique college major in aesthetic studies, which encompassed areas such as criticism, creative writing, film, photography, and crafts - disciplines that often fell outside the purview of more traditional university boards of study. This foundational emphasis has cemented Porter's long-standing reputation as a significant center for fine and performing arts within the UC Santa Cruz campus.
A Legacy of Artistic Endeavor and Iconic Symbols
The college complex itself reflects its artistic heritage, featuring three active galleries, the History of Art and Visual Culture department, and numerous spaces frequently utilized for musical, theatrical, and dance performances. A testament to this enduring artistic legacy is the striking steel sculpture created in 1974 by Vietnam veteran and Porter College art student Kenny Farrell. This bold artwork has since become an enduring and iconic symbol of UC Santa Cruz, a visual representation of the college's creative energy and its connection to the broader university community. The sculpture, known colloquially as "The Squiggle," "The Flying IUD," and "The Porter Wave," is officially titled "Untitled." It stands near the college, serving as a popular gathering spot for students to play music, watch the sunset, or even engage with the artwork directly.
Distinguished Leadership and Academic Exploration
Porter College has been guided by a distinguished leadership throughout its history. The provosts of the college have included notable figures such as the writer James B. Hall, the painter and psychologist Pavel Machotka, filmmaker Eli Hollander, and composer David Cope. These academic and administrative leaders have played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual and community life of the college. The provost at UC Santa Cruz serves as the academic and administrative leader of an individual college, overseeing its educational programs, including the first-year core course, and contributing to the college's distinctive atmosphere. The Porter College curriculum is designed to encourage students to delve into unusual topics and provocative ideas, to critically examine and revise their understanding of their experiences, to embrace the inevitable failures that accompany new learning and discovery, and to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility for their academic choices.
Bohemian Roots and Evolving Traditions
While designed initially as a traditional dormitory with a centralized dining hall, Porter College quickly cultivated a reputation befitting its artistic student body by hosting outrageously bohemian parties. These events became legendary, including celebrations for Halloween, "Step on My Face," and "The End" - a multifaceted event that initially seemed to signify "The End of the World," but also served as a response to the college's name change from College Five to Porter. Later, it evolved into "The End of the School Year," "The Edge of the World," and eventually, "Porterpalooza." Another notable tradition, the "Queer Fashion Show," formerly known as the "Alternative Fashion Show," continues to be an annual program that showcases student-made fashion alongside a vibrant variety show.
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The college is also home to several apartment buildings, providing housing for second-year students and upperclassmen. While campus security personnel, including Coordinators for Residential Education (CREs) and Residential Advisors (RAs), maintain a strong presence in the dormitory and adjoining quad areas, the Porter Meadow itself sees less frequent patrols. In a similar vein, many students from Porter participate in the "First Rain" yearly tradition, a spirited celebration that marks the first rainfall of the Fall quarter. This tradition involves students running naked through all the colleges, much to the amusement of their peers, before returning to Porter College for warm showers. This unique ritual may have its origins in a naked "walkabout" that occurred in October 1989, where approximately 50 Porterians and students from Kresge and College 8 walked through the colleges unclothed. This act was partly a response to the stress induced by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which had cancelled classes for several days and left UCSC students with limited distractions.
Contemporary Atmosphere and Regulatory Shifts
Although Porter College has historically been associated with its reputation for extravagant parties, bohemian lifestyles, and uninhibited artistic expression, the current atmosphere at the college is considerably more subdued than in its earlier years. The decline in the number of Art majors at UC Santa Cruz has naturally led to fewer students affiliated with Porter compared to its initial decades. Furthermore, UCSC has actively contributed to this shift in reputation through the implementation of stricter regulations and disciplinary actions concerning event planning, noise levels, public indecency, and drug policies. These regulations, consistent with those across all UC Santa Cruz colleges, are enforced by CREs, RAs, and Campus Security Officers (CSOs). CREs, residing within the dormitory buildings, are responsible for addressing policy violations and providing support and guidance to Porter students.
A Diverse and Inclusive Community
Porter College is also a welcoming home to the Transfer Community. Utilizing sections of both the large A and B buildings, the Transfer Community theme provides housing for nearly all transfer students who live on campus, irrespective of their college affiliation. Like most residential halls, the standard room option at Porter is a triple room, with roommates carefully selected based on age appropriateness.
Campus Amenities and Resources
The Porter Dining Hall, one of five dining halls on campus, is a central hub for both meals and events throughout the year. It is conveniently located adjacent to the Porter Market, which has evolved from its earlier iterations as the Hungry Slug and the worker's collective Sluggo's Pizza. The servery offers a diverse menu, including chef-customized traditional entrees, signature salads, and pizzas. The dining hall is particularly recognized for its extensive vegetarian and vegan options and boasts a delightful outdoor deck with views of the adjacent Porter Meadow and the Monterey Bay.
Porter College offers a range of facilities and resources to support its students. The Porter Activities Office provides essential support for Porter events and facilitates student employment across various work teams, including the "Slugs," who are known for their role in Orientation. Nearby, the tranquil Koi Pond offers a peaceful spot for reflection and viewing the college's beloved koi fish. The Study Center, also located in the vicinity, is accessible to all students. On the second floor, adjacent to vibrant graffiti murals, are the Faculty and Sesnon Galleries, which host numerous exhibitions featuring the work of students and professional traveling artists each year.
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The Porter Circle and Sign mark the entrance to Benjamin Porter College. A unique historical detail can be found on the back of the sign: five Roman numeral 'V's, representing the college's former identity as College Five. The Academic Office serves as a crucial resource for Porter students seeking general academic assistance. Whether it's help with choosing a major or guidance on class registration, academic advisors and peer advisors are readily available to offer support.
The Porter/Kresge dining hall, beyond its function as a dining facility, transforms into one of the largest multipurpose programming spaces on campus. Hitchcock Lounge is a popular venue for various student activities and meetings of the Porter Senate, the student government. The entrance to the Bridge and J.B. Hall Galleries, typically reserved for student art exhibitions, is also located within the dining hall.
The residential facilities at Porter College, primarily housed in the A and B buildings, offer a variety of room configurations, including single, double, triple, and quad rooms. Some halls are themed, catering to specific interests such as Outdoor Experience, Film and Digital Media, Performing Arts, Substance Free living, and Visual Arts. The A-building primarily accommodates the Transfer Community, while the B-building is mainly for new frosh students. The Porter Apartments provide an alternative housing option, typically for sophomore, junior, and senior class students. Each apartment houses six students in single and double rooms and is equipped with a kitchen. The I-Lounge is situated at the end of the Porter Apartments complex, offering another communal space. The Housing & Residential Life Offices are conveniently located at Rm. J -301 in the Porter “J” Building, across the street from the I-Lounge.
Navigating to Porter College
Porter College is situated within the northwest area of the UC Santa Cruz campus. Visitors can enter through the university's West Entrance, located at the intersection of Empire Grade Road and Heller Drive. Proceed along Heller Drive, passing three stop signs. Turn left onto the indicated roadway, and parking will be available in three designated gray areas: two on the left and one on the right. Limited metered parking is available in addition to permit parking. Permits are required for parking in reserved spaces. Visitors can purchase permits from the Kiosk at UCSC’s main entrance at the intersection of Bay and High Streets. Notably, permits are not required for parking after 8:30 pm on weekdays or at any time on Saturdays and Sundays.
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