California university parties “like it’s 1965”

The dining services department at the University of California Santa Cruz went retro on Thursday, Jan. 15 to pay homage to the campus’ 50th anniversary.

Dining services served ‘60s novelties such as JELL-O, Cool Whip and Pop-Tarts and popular appetizers, such as cocktail meatballs and pigs in a blanket. 

Entrees such as vegan stuffed bell peppers and Beef Burgundy—an ode to Julia Child—were served. Students also could enjoy a glass of Tang with their meal.

Although Pop-Tarts and JELL-O might be viewed as college-student staples nowadays, in 1965 these foods were considered innovative because they could be made quickly. At the time, this was a change of pace for students who were used to the typical meat and potatoes fare at home.

“It’ really rings true that it was the era of the convenience of fast food, of TV dinners,” says Candy Berlin, program coordinator for UCSC Dining. However, she points out that UC Santa Cruz’s students have returned to a preference for homestyle meals and some students could, once again, consider items such as Pop-Tarts as a fun novelty.

Berlin says that as many as 2,200 students were served on Thursday afternoon.

Students were encouraged to dress in their finest “Mad Men”-era attire to coincide with the “Dress Like It’s 1965” event, in which the best outfits were judged by UCSC alumna Tiffany White Stanton, a costume designer for “Mad Men”.