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Remarks and Writings

Welcome to UC Merced’s 11th Academic Year

August 31, 2015
Dear faculty and staff, Welcome to a new academic year, one in which we celebrate the university’s many accomplishments while also sharpening our focus on what lies ahead. Ten years ago—on Sept. 5, 2005—UC Merced opened its doors with 875 students, a blank sheet of paper and high hopes for the first new University of California... Read More

Response to Hechinger Report Article

August 26, 2015
  Dear Hechinger Report editor, Matt Krupnick’s recent article about UC Merced’s development since opening in 2005 (“ A new university whose debut probably could not have come at a worse time ,” August 24) correctly observes that growth has been slowed somewhat by one of the worst recessions in state history, but... Read More

Winners of the Inaugural Chancellor's Innovation Awards

July 29, 2015
Dear colleagues, I am excited to share with you the results of the inaugural Chancellor’s Innovation Awards. This program, which I announced last February, was created as a vehicle for recognizing and rewarding staff members who develop innovative ideas designed to benefit the campus through enhanced efficiencies, custom services... Read More

Chief Campus Counsel Elisabeth Gunther

July 14, 2015
Colleagues, As many of you know, Elisabeth Gunther has been serving as UC Merced’s campus counsel in a part-time capacity since 2008. As the campus has grown in size and complexity, her work with UC Merced has increased and, as of the beginning of the 2015-16 fiscal year, Elisabeth will step into this role in a full-time capacity, hence... Read More

Chancellor’s Innovation Awards

May 27, 2015
Colleagues, From its founding, UC Merced has distinguished itself as a center for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. These qualities are as important today as they were at the beginning. We face challenges that will require us to be a leader among UC campuses, if not national higher education, in organizational excellence, customer service,... Read More

A Campus Update from Chancellor Leland

May 21, 2015
Dear colleagues, Congratulations on wrapping up our 10th academic year last week! Final exams were administered, papers read, projects evaluated and grades assigned. Much behind-the-scenes work was also completed to ensure the year ended on a high note. As I watched more than 1,100 graduates walk across the stage this weekend at commencement, I... Read More

A Budget Update about the Governor's May Revise

May 14, 2015
As everyone hoped would happen, UC President Janet Napolitano and Governor Jerry Brown have reached a compromise resolution with respect to UC funding for the next few fiscal years that brings more resources into the UC and minimizes student tuition and fees. According to the agreement, there will be no tuition increases for the next two... Read More

An Update from Chancellor Leland on the Presentation to the Regents

March 18, 2015
Dear faculty and staff, I want to report back to you on the 2020 Project update I gave this morning at the UC Board of Regents meeting in San Francisco. As I explained in my note to you earlier this week, this was an informational session to bring the Regents up to speed on the scope of the project and the strategy we’re proposing to... Read More

An Update on the 2020 Project

March 16, 2015
Dear faculty and staff, One of our top priorities over the last few years has been to find creative means of adding sufficient new facilities by the end of the decade to ease existing space constraints and support enrollment growth to 10,000 students, despite uncertain levels of state funding. Today, I want to advise you of a major step forward... Read More

New Innovation Awards for Staff

February 4, 2015
Colleagues, From its founding, UC Merced has distinguished itself as a center for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. These qualities are as important today as they were at the beginning. We face challenges that will require us to be a leader among UC campuses, if not national higher education, in organizational excellence, customer... Read More

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