You’ve made it through summer STEP and now you’re wondering, “what do I do?” The answer is, get connected with our aggie connection. In this connection you will be the expert of your own experiences. You will have the opportunity to photograph and showcase the first of many experiences during your first year in college. This FYAC will celebrate your transition into your first quarter and will provide the opportunity to stay connected with fellow STEPpers. 

Open to STEP students only

Section 1:

• Day/Time: Tuesdays (2:00 – 3:00 PM)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

Section 2: 

• Day/Time: Wednesdays (11:00AM – 12:00 PM)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

Food for Thought: Exploring Basic Needs participants will explore campus efforts to improve health equity and reach the UC Davis students most in need. You will learn about campus resources, including food security programs, medical services, counseling services, and health education and promotion services, as well as the barriers that prevent students from utilizing these resources. Additionally, we will touch on social determinants of health, food systems, health care systems, weight stigma, and research limitations and gaps in relation to health equity. Throughout the quarter, we will explore select career paths within the food and health care industries by examining some of the existing food- and health-related programs on campus, including UC Davis Teaching Kitchen. We will also discuss opportunities for involvement in this area during your time at UC Davis, including volunteer and paid positions. 

(Food for Thought: Exploring Basic Needs participants will be able to provide support to and participate in UC Davis Teaching Kitchen programming and curriculum development.)

• Day/Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5pm) 
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

Explore ASUCD (Associated Students of the University of California, Davis) - Where you can earn while you learn and expand your campus connections at the same time!

Together we will explore over a dozen student run businesses that are operated on campus which YOUR student fees pay for. Find out where you can work on campus to be able to drive a bus, plan an event, host a concert, bake delicious desserts, fix a flat tire, write an article, organize food donations, and so much more - and get paid while doing it!

Learn about student government, organizational operations, and what it takes to run a successful business. ASUCD students graduate with valuable skills that they have learned while working here, as they get to take on incredible levels of responsibility as they continue to grow skills and elevate their positions year after year.

Working at any of the exciting ASUCD businesses gives you hands on work experience and allows you to join groups of students with similar interests too. It quickly expands your campus ‘community’ and ensures that you make valuable connections and new friendships, while providing opportunities to work part-time, grow skills and assume responsibility at the same time.

• Day & Time: Wednesdays (11:00-11:50) 
• Waitlist: This Connection is full. Use this link to be added to the waitlist in AggieLife.

ASUCD operations we will explore include:

• The California Aggie - newspaper and online media source for UCD campus
• KDVS - campus freeform radio station
• The CoHo - campus coffeehouse
• Bike Barn - bike repair and sales
• Unitrans - campus and city bus line - 100% student driven busses
• Aggie Reuse - campus thrift shop
• ASUCD Executive office - Student Government
• Picnic Day - annual campus open house
• Whole Earth Festival - annual campus art and music festival 
• The Pantry - food bank for students
• Creative Media - marketing and technical assistance provider for ASUCD
• Aggie Studios - video marketing
• Entertainment Council - campus music and entertainment services

What is it about a place that you love? Geography? People? Traditions? How do you adapt to being in a new place? This Connection offers newcomers the chance to learn more about the place that is Davis as much as to understand how we create our sense of place. Whether here, home, abroad or online, we are always adapting and negotiating to the times and places we inhabit. This Connection is student driven with opportunities to share and learn from each other as well as from guests.

• Day & Time: Tuesdays (10:00-10:50am)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

In this Connection, you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they define key global challenges that all countries must address. You will have an opportunity to meet current and recent UC Davis students and faculty who are addressing one or more of these challenges in their research or community-based work both in the US and abroad. You will also have a chance to see how your interests—including your major—connect to these global challenges and find ways to get engaged with them now!

• Day & Time: Thursdays (9:00-9:50am)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

In this Connection, students from rural areas will have the opportunity to meet other students from small towns. Together we will explore the UC Davis community and facilities as well as our own diversity as a unique student group. We will discuss the unique backgrounds that we all come from while reflecting on the advantages and disadvantages rural life has upon our academic choices. This Connection will engage new UC Davis students by attending short informational lectures, engaging in group experiences, and group discussions. Although this Connection is open to all new Aggies, it is intended for students who are transitioning from a rural community to UC Davis.

• Day & Time: Fridays (11:00-11:50am)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

Learn how to get involved in Networking, Community Service and Traditions on campus. In this Connection, staff at the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and UC Davis alumni will share tips for building a professional network, giving back to the community, and making the most out of your time at UC Davis. During our Connection, we will also complete some of the 49 Aggie traditions! Traditions are a fun way to learn about campus and build community.

• Day & Time: Tuesdays (3:10-4:00pm)
• Waitlist: This Connection is full. Use this link to be added to the waitlist in AggieLife.

Get oriented to the Library and learn information research tips from UC Davis librarians so you will excel as a student. Knowing how to navigate the Library will help you produce quality projects and assignments and enhance your confidence as a scholar.

• Day & Time: Mondays (3:10- 4:00pm)

• Waitlist: This Connection is full. Use this link to be added to the waitlist in AggieLife.

Did you know that UC Davis has been ranked as the most sustainable university in the US for three years in a row? Join this Connection to become a sustainable Aggie as we explore the many sustainability resources UC Davis has to offer and learn tips and tricks to navigate Res Hall and campus life sustainability! In this Connection, we will explore various social and environmental dimensions of sustainability by participating in lectures, group activities, and discussions. You’ll meet campus sustainability experts (both student and professional staff) to learn how to live and eat sustainably in the residence halls and dining commons. Students will also be exposed to sustainability opportunities get involved on-campus, including student organizations, job and internship opportunities, and actions they can take to help create a more sustainable UC Davis. 

Open to Freshman Only.

• Day & Time: Wednesdays (2:10-3:00pm)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.

Filming your First Year is all about exploring your first year at UC Davis from behind your camera! Whether you want to make films or thinking of starting a college YouTube channel, or just interested in learning how to capture the excitement of campus, this Connection will feature lessons in filming, exploring different aspects of campus, and discussing some of the opportunities to further your interest in video and digital media!

• Day & Time: Tuesdays (5:10-6:00pm)
• Registration: This Connection is not for credit. Use this link to register in AggieLife.