UC Santa Cruz Scheduled for Planned Power Outage on September 7, 2024

UC Santa Cruz has announced a planned power outage to take place on Saturday, September 7, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. This outage will impact most of the residential campus, including all ten colleges and various upper campus facilities.

However, power will not be affected in several areas, including Family Student Housing, Ranch View Terrace, Cardiff Terrace, Hagar Court, Lower Campus, Arboretum, Cowell Hay Barn, Westside Research Park, Coastal Science Campus, and Scotts Valley Center.

The maintenance and repair activities are necessary for the primary electrical substation and were identified during the last planned outage that occurred in late February 2024.

Students and faculty are encouraged to fully charge their electronic devices, which include computers, tablets, and mobile phones before the outage. Backup chargers should also be prepared in advance.

During the outage, the Cogeneration plant will continue to operate, and generators will provide backup power for some campus facilities. Notably, the College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on its regular Saturday schedule.

Santa Cruz METRO buses will maintain their normal routes through the campus, while Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) will continue to provide regular service. It is important to note that lighting levels in parking facilities may be affected, and elevators in the Core West Parking Structure will automatically reset to Level One and remain open until power is restored.

Researchers and laboratory personnel are advised to evaluate their equipment and resources in preparation for the outage. Developing mitigation plans is critical for safely pausing or continuing activities during this period.

There may also be disruptions to the campus network, telephones, WiFi, and computer labs. Although some areas will receive backup power from campus generators, many IT services could still be affected. Students are encouraged to use alternative locations for work and study, such as dining halls, McHenry, or Science and Engineering libraries, or to work off-campus.