Physical Education SCUBA Update

Dear SCUBA Stakeholders,

As the national search continues for the next SCUBA instructors, the University has concluded that active recruitment will result in the Department of Athletics & Recreation's inability to offer SCUBA instructional courses as part of the physical education program for the fall 2023 academic term.

We understand that a SCUBA certification is important to UC Santa Cruz students and we want to make it as accessible as possible. Unfortunately, we were not able to offer SCUBA instructional courses as part of the physical education program for the fall 2023 academic term, but we have been actively searching for the next SCUBA instructors through a national recruitment process during the 2022-23 academic year. Our aim is to identify and hire the most qualified SCUBA experts on behalf of the UC Santa Cruz student body, ensuring safe, legally compliant, and successful instruction for those seeking a SCUBA certification. 

For now, the Athletics & Recreation Department has received institutional approval to reimburse students who execute and complete a SCUBA certification with any SCUBA dive shop of their choice in the state of California. This reimbursement will be approved for SCUBA course fees from a certifying agency approved by WRSTC (such as NAUI, PADI, SDI, or SSI) and dive gear rental. NAUI courses are recommended, but we understand they may not be available to everyone. We know this may not be the ideal solution, but we hope it will help reduce any financial barriers to obtaining a SCUBA certification. 

If you are a student who will be completing and receiving their SCUBA certification effective on or after September 28, 2023, you can initiate a reimbursement paid by UC Santa Cruz by completing the Payee Setup 204 form and the Direct Payment for reimbursement form. Please complete the following two-step process to initiate a reimbursement paid by UC Santa Cruz enacted referenda Measure 32: 

1. Complete the Payee Setup 204 form;
2. Complete the Direct Payment for reimbursement form;
   1. Tier 1 Funding Authorizer: Cristen Babik, cbabik@ucsc.edu;
   2. Specify Tier 2 Funding Approver: Lela Vasquez, lela@ucsc.edu;
   3. No optional, additional approver is required;
   4. Payment Type: “Funded Activity”;
   5. Explanation of Payment: “SCUBA certificate reimbursement” 
   6. FOAPAL Information
      1. Index: LEAVE BLANK
      2. Fund: 20371
      3. Org: 680526
      4. Account: 001140
      5. Activity: LEAVE BLANK
   7. Please be prepared with your receipt showing the completed payment for SCUBA certification bearing your name. You will attach this receipt to the DocuSign form.

We want to assure you that this is an interim solution, and we are working hard to resume SCUBA courses as part of the Athletics & Recreation physical education programming as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,

Athletics & Recreation