2016-17

Dear Colleagues,
 
What a great weekend for our campus, graduating students, and their families. Commencement is one of my favorite times of year, but it’s also one of the most challenging events our campus puts together. This year presented its own unique challenge, with our familiar South Bowl venue now a construction site. I could not be more proud of the many ways in which staff and faculty came together, rolled up their sleeves and created a truly memorable pair of commencement ceremonies.
 

Chancellor Dorothy Leland
“Challenges and Opportunities for Higher Education in California” 

Leadership California: Central Valley Women’s Forum 

Fresno Pacific University Campus Building
Fresno, California
March 29, 2017

Thank you, Barbara, for that warm introduction.

Dear Campus Community,

The support of so many members of our campus community for the plight of students who have been—or may be—affected by changes in immigration policy is truly heartening. We are a campus that values our diversity and expresses this value in its care for others.

Dear Campus Community,
 
By now you are likely aware of the recent executive order restricting entry into the United States for individuals from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. While the situation remains fluid and much is unclear, news reports indicate that individuals with immigrant and non-immigrant visas and those with green cards who are originally from these countries are being denied entry into the United States.
 

Dear Campus Community,
 
Welcome to 2017, and a new spring semester!
 
As you know, UC Merced is truly a special place. Our talented students represent the very best of California, and many are the first in their family to attend college. Our faculty and staff are committed to enriching the lives of our students while supporting our institution’s aspirations of academic distinction, research excellence and the success of all our students. I have never been more proud to be a member of our UC Merced community.
 

2016 was a busy year filled with milestones and accomplishments for our young campus. It’s with great hope that we look ahead to an even brighter future in the coming year.

Dear Campus Community,

Our campus, our state, our nation and the world are processing the result of Tuesday’s presidential election. Our students, many of whom are the children of immigrants and rightfully take pride in being the first in their families to attend college, have been exposed to a lengthy, divisive campaign full of hurtful rhetoric, and they are understandably uncertain about what the future might hold.

Dear members of the UC Merced community,

I am writing to share some wonderful news about the 2020 Project. This ambitious proposal will expand campus facilities dramatically over the next four years to accommodate future enrollment growth.