Events & Activities – Merrill College

While many of the programs and events we do at Merrill are new each year, there are also a few traditions that have been a part of Merrill on an annual basis.

Merrill College at UCSC. Redwood trees near Merrill College.

Commencement

Commencement is a time to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students. At UC Santa Cruz, students participate in commencement ceremonies hosted by their college.

Commencement

Students crossing a walkway at Merrill College at UCSC.

Event calendar

Stay up to date with upcoming events and activities. Check out our event calendar to see what’s happening.

Event calendar

Merrill College at UCSC building exterior with brightly colored mural of butterflies and flowers.

Merrill Moat Jam

Moat Jam is an outdoor dance party hosted by your OLs and RAs. With a DJ perched above the Merrill Moat in a balcony, it is wall to wall dancing filling the Merrill Moat with new friends and amazing music. The dance traditionally happens on the Sunday of move in weekend.

Merrill College at UCSC. Merrill College sign on the front of the admin building.

Halloween Dance

Another huge Merrill Dance, your chance to haunt the cultural center and show off your spooky style. Wear your costume and learn the steps to thriller another opportunity to dance through the witching hour.

UCSC Campus Life - Students walking on campus

College Night

College Nights is a tradition as old as UCSC, happening once or twice a quarter. Each one has a unique theme that influences the Menu, Entertainment, Decoration, and Co-Curricular. Some of our past themes have included Bollywood, Anime, Saturday Morning in the 80s, Local Organic, Hogwarts, Folkloric, and New Orleans.

Merrill College at UCSC building exterior with brightly colored mural of butterflies and flowers with a student walking by.

Faux Shaux

Faux Shaux is a gender expression drag performance done in partnership with the UCSC Women’s Center. it is an opportunity for anyone to perform an expression of gender in epic proportion.

A student works on a mural at Merrill College, UCSC.

Moat Day

A Merrill tradition for over 40 years. On Moat day the community gathers together for the new murals to be painted and to enjoy the laid back atmosphere of this spring art festival in the Merrill Plaza. The Merrill Programs and Leadership Office hosts a taco bar and the RA’s and PA’s host fun activities stations.