In 1965, with a 56% majority of students’ votes, the Anteater officially became UC Irvine’s mascot, modeled after Johnny Hart's B.C. comic strip anteater character, and “Zot” the official “war-cry.” UCI’s administration desired a “respectable” mascot, but students were steadfast to elect a unique mascot that set Irvine apart.
Left to right: Daniel G. Aldrich, Robert C. Weaver, and Ron Ridgle at Charter Day celebration, 1969. University Archives, UC Irvine Libraries Special Collections and Archives.
The UCI student newspaper, New University, was established in 1968. Originally a print newspaper, New University is now entirely online and shares everything from videos and comics to opinion pieces, sports, arts and entertainment, and campus news.
The UCI student newspaper, New University, was established in 1968. Originally a print newspaper, New University is now entirely online and shares everything from videos and comics to opinion pieces, sports, arts and entertainment, and campus news.
One of UCI’s oldest traditions, the student-run Wayzgoose festival began in 1971. The festival adopted Renaissance Faire lore on the UCI grounds, and students dressed up in medieval gear and jousted.
Greek Life at UCI started in 1973 with the formation of three sororities (Delta Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, and Gamma Phi Beta) and three fraternities (Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, and Phi Delta Theta). Today, the Greek community has more than 1,500 students in 36 sororities and fraternities representing a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds.
campus. Today, five student umbrella organizations continue to be recognized by the Cross-Cultural Center: Black Student Union (BSU), Alyansa ng mga Kababayan, American Indian Student Association (AISA), Asian Pacific Student Association (APSA), and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan (MEChA).
The first UCI Student Center, opened in 1981 and originally named the University Center, housed a bookstore, restaurant, and a few common areas. With additions and expansions in 1982, 1990, and 2007, the center today hosts student events and conferences and houses ASUCI, the LGBT Resource Center, and the Veteran Services Center, among other student services.
Shantytown
In 1990, UCI students demanded changes to campus housing policies for domestic partnerships. On February 5, 150 demonstrators set up a “shantytown,” living inside cardboard boxes to draw attention to campus housing issues.
Asian American Studies Strike
Asian American students mounted a 35-day hunger strike in 1993, demanding the foundation of an Asian American studies program. Following the strike, an Asian American studies major was offered in 1997, and Asian American studies became a department in 2003.
Affirmative Action Strike
On July 20, 1995, the UC Regents voted 15–10 to eliminate affirmative action. At UCI, protesters against the decision set up tents outside the administration building and organized hunger strikes. The students’ hunger strike eventually extended to the California State Capitol.
Anteater Recreation Center
The Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) was built in 2000 to enhance the campus community through recreational sports and fitness activities. Home to intramural sports, club sports, and classes, it is also the location of the annual Late Night at the ARC open house event.
Black Wednesday Protest
During a Black Wednesday protest in 2010, UCI students lined up and linked arms, back-to-back near the entrance of the Student Center courtyard. The silent protest held by the Black Student Union (BSU) was part of UC-wide student efforts to raise awareness about police brutality, anti-Blackness, Black identity and visibility, and institutional support for Black students.
Guinness World Records
In 2010, UCI students set their first Guinness World Record during Welcome Week for the largest game of dodgeball. Other records have included the world’s largest pillow fight (2014), water gun fight (2013), and game of red light/green light (2022), to name a few.
Basic Needs Center
In 2017, the FRESH Basic Needs Hub, a product of student advocacy, opened on campus as one of the largest facilities of its kind on a US college campus. Renamed the UCI Basic Needs Center in 2023, the center supports students’ financial stability by ensuring equitable access to basic needs, including food assistance, financial literacy, mental health services, and more.
Petr the Anteatr
The Petr the Anteatr sticker phenomenon was originally created by UCI student Qasim Shareh, who was initially anonymous and known as “Original Petr” on social media. Shareh created and released 13 designs through sticker “drops” between September 2018 and June 2019. Because he made Petr’s design open source, other students have continued to create new Community Petrs.
Starship Robots
Starship robots began delivering food and packages on campus in 2020. Initially launched to deliver to sequestered students during COVID-19 restrictions, the autonomous Zot Bots use satellite imagery, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and machine-learning technologies to detect obstacles.
Encampment for Gaza
An encampment was created at UCI on April 29, 2024 on Ring Road near Croul Hall and Rowland Hall in support of Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. On May 15, 2024, local law enforcement broke up the encampment and made a number of arrests.