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Administrative Message

June 27, 2006

To: Students, Staff and Faculty

From: David S. Kliger, Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Re: Denton Memorial and Other Updates

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty:

I write to let you know what has been happening since the tragedy of last weekend and to inform you of the upcoming memorial service for Chancellor Denton.

Many of us worked throughout the weekend to deal with the immediate items related to the Chancellor's death and its impact on the campus. We've coordinated closely with President Robert Dynes and other UC officials. In my capacity as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, I have been delegated authority by President Dynes to lead the campus until an Acting Chancellor is named. We anticipate that President Dynes will announce an Acting Chancellor and the process for selection of a new Chancellor in the near future.

The University of California, Santa Cruz campus will celebrate Chancellor Denice Denton's life and her professional achievements at a memorial service at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29, in the Recital Hall of the UCSC Music Center. A formal invitation will be transmitted later today. I hope you will accept this opportunity to come together as a community that values the uniqueness and diversity of individuals and understands the questioning and helplessness we feel in the face of such tragedy.

A web site dedicated to remembering Denice Denton is available. (http://www.ucsc.edu/administration/denice_denton/) The site includes links to campus resources for dealing with grief, along with an opportunity to submit written remembrances of Chancellor Denton and information about contributing to a memorial fund established in her name.

As we all individually and collectively cope with the tragic death of Chancellor Denton, I hope that each of us remembers the important work to which she devoted her life.  Let's not allow her death to define her life or this campus. She worked hard to provide to young people what she had experienced in her own life: the opportunity that a rigorous education provides for a challenging career that serves society by unraveling the mysteries of the universe, solving practical problems, and improving life for those in need.

On behalf of the UCSC leadership, I thank all of you who are persevering during this trying time. Characteristic of the dedicated staff and faculty who strive continually to ensure the work of the campus is done, I see many of you once again stepping up during this difficult time. I sincerely appreciate the numerous offers of assistance we have received in the past few days. I feel both proud and privileged to work with all of you, and I thank you sincerely for your humanity and selflessness, and for honoring the values we at UCSC hold dear.

Sincerely,

David S. Kliger
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

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