Remarks and Writings

Reaffirming Our Principles of Community

September 14, 2017
Dear Campus Community, UC Merced is guided by our “ Principles of Community ” and the UC Board of Regents’ “ Principles Against Intolerance ,” which express the ideals that we strive to live up to. In this time of political discord and dissension, it is important that each of us work to affirm these ideals in our... Read More

DACA and our undocumented students

September 5, 2017
Dear Campus Community, As you have likely heard, today President Donald Trump is rescinding the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that was enacted in 2012 and has protected 800,000 young adult unauthorized immigrants from deportation and allowed them to work legally while pursuing their education. This action directly impacts... Read More

Welcome to the 2017-18 Academic Year

August 28, 2017
Dear Students, Welcome to the 2017-18 academic year! It has been a busy start, with 2,200 new students joining the Bobcat family. Our student body is diverse in beliefs, values, and identities but bonded through curiosity, diligence, and a desire to make a difference during their time here and beyond. There is a special Bobcat spirit at UC... Read More

Affirming Our Campus Commitment

August 21, 2017
Dear Campus Community,   UC Merced has always been a place that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, and where people from various backgrounds and with various identities can live, work, study and learn together. This week, now that our first-year students have arrived and as a new semester begins, I want to address events on the... Read More

Concern for Our Students After Weekend Incident

July 14, 2017
Dear Campus Community,   Yesterday, approximately one hundred members of the UC Merced community and others joined in a peaceful protest motivated by the recent troubling incident that occurred at the Chandelier Hookah Lounge this past weekend. Those of us who have seen the video clip showing a portion of the incident can surely... Read More

Thank you from Chancellor Leland

May 15, 2017
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... Read More

Central Valley Women’s Forum Keynote Remarks

March 29, 2017
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. It is not often that I get... Read More

Our Commitment to UC Merced DREAMers

February 8, 2017
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. I want to address controversy generated by the... Read More

Message from Chancellor Leland Regarding President Trump’s Executive Order

January 30, 2017
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... Read More

Welcome to Spring Semester 2017

January 17, 2017
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... Read More

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