Dear Campus Community,
In consultation with administrative and academic leadership, and with guidance from Merced County Public Health officials, we are canceling all remaining classes through the Thanksgiving break. Classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 26.
All campus locations will be closed on Monday, Nov. 19. A decision about Tuesday business operations will be made on Monday by approximately 5 p.m. Please see our FAQ on the campus closure, and visit emergency.ucmerced.edu for updates.
While the campus is closed, limited services will remain open:
- Housing: Residence halls will be open throughout the break. The Housing Office will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
- Dining Services: The Pavilion will be open Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., and will reopen for dinner Sunday night. Staff will work to ensure that students on campus during the break have dining options on those days.
- Health Services: The Student Health Center will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Monday.
- Library: The Library remains closed, but the first-floor Lantern will remain open through Wednesday.
- Recreation: The Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
- Athletics: The men’s and women’s basketball games scheduled for Tuesday have not been canceled at this time.
- Transportation: CatTracks will continue to run on its weekend schedule Monday through Wednesday.
During a campus closure, employees should not come to work unless they are designated as essential employees by their supervisor. Supervisors will be contacting employees designated as essential for campus operations. Managers will ensure continuity of critical functions, and staff may work remotely when feasible and appropriate. Employees will be compensated for closure dates.
Staff members experiencing physical ailments due to the air quality should notify their supervisors. Staff and faculty will retain CatCard access to buildings, labs and offices — if you need assistance gaining access to locked buildings, call 209-228-2677 (CAT-COPS).
Some of our students and their families have lost homes or are still waiting to learn the fate of loved ones. Some will remain on campus through the holiday break because it is safer or healthier than returning home. Please continue to keep those most affected by fires throughout the state in your thoughts, and consider donating to help victims if you are able to.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Leland
Chancellor
