Dear colleagues:
With the spring semester over and summer underway, UC Merced is a bit quieter even though we continue to serve a growing population of students in our summer sessions. But summer is typically a time when faculty members can focus on their innovative research, staff members can work on bigger projects and everyone can take some time to relax before the bustle of fall.
With this lull, I want to update you on several topics.
I am pleased to announce we have a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the UC Office of the President that will help the campus continue its growth through 2020 and support its mission to educate students and through research make new discoveries and solve important problems.
Specifically, the agreement provides for the following critical campus needs:
- funding to support growth in our graduate and undergraduate student populations;
- a one-time $5 million budget increase for a special fund to support the start-up packages that faculty members receive to support their research;
- financial assistance with near-term capital upgrades and mitigation obligations; and
- commitment to significant financial support for the 2020 Project
I know I speak for the campus when I say I am extremely grateful for the support of UCOP and of President Janet Napolitano. UC Merced's development and success benefits both the UC system and the state of California, and a continued strong partnership with UCOP is essential as we move forward in a challenging funding environment.
Planning for the 2020 Project continues, with the request for qualifications (RFQ) for a development team closing in mid-July. The deadline was extended after an addendum was released last month. We are encouraged by the number of potential partners that have shown interest in this vital project.
The university aims to select the developer in the second half of 2015, begin construction in 2016 and deliver the first building as early as late 2017. The selected development team will be tasked with creating facilities that support an inspiring and dynamic environment for living, learning and research.
As many of you know, lawmakers are working to finalize our state budget.
The California Legislature convened its budget conference committee to send a budget to Gov. Jerry Brown by the June 15 constitutional deadline. The governor must sign it no later than June 30.
I joined my fellow UC chancellors in signing a letter to the conference committee encouraging it to adopt the Assembly version of the state budget, which includes an additional $100 million in ongoing general fund money over and above the augmentation in the governor’s budget of $142.2 million, and $24.5 million in one-time funding for deferred maintenance across the system.
The UC has identified $116 million in additional revenue it will generate internally to meet the Board of Regents' 2014-15 budget plan, which called for increased state funding of $383.1 million.
The additional funds in the Assembly budget would permit the campuses to meet their obligations in Fiscal Year 2014-15 without raising tuition, and further rebuilds the state’s contribution to the UC after the devastating cuts we sustained during the recession.
Just a few weeks ago, I watched more than 1,000 Bobcats turn their tassels, signifying the conclusion of their UC Merced education. Commencement is one of my favorite events of the year. These students are now applying their UC Merced experience to careers, graduate schools or other adventures.
I want to personally thank all the staff members who volunteered their time to make commencement a success. I know the students' families and friends appreciated the thought and attention that went into this special occasion.
The following week, UC Merced recognized the important role staff members play in the campus's mission. The events, organized by Staff Assembly and an army of volunteers, were well attended, as was the annual staff appreciation lunch hosted by my office.
We added a kayak race this year, which might very well become a campus tradition, with the deans of our three schools facing off against each other and several senior administrators. Staff Appreciation Week culminated with excellence awards, and I was able to again congratulate this year’s winners:
- Rosemary Braden, IT – Outstanding Customer Service and Job Performance award
- Kaitlin Harada, Center for Career and Professional Advancement – Creativity award
- Kari Mansager, Violence Prevention Program- Teamwork award
- Paul Edward Roberts, School of Natural Sciences – Organizational and Leadership Abilities awardFinally, I am so pleased the UC has settled multiyear contracts with 10 of its bargaining units and has a tentative agreement with another. We value all our employees, whether represented or nonrepresented, and we know that the new contracts bring welcome relief for a number of you.
I hope each of you takes time this summer to read a good book, take a trip or simply enjoy your friends and family. I’m hoping to do all of these things!
Sincerely,
Dorothy Leland
Chancellor
