A message from Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Charles Nies
Dear Campus Community,
In March 2017, the Graduate Cultural Resource Center (GCRC) opened its doors in Classroom and Office Building 2 (COB2), Room 190, as a much-needed space to affirm the experiences of those from historically marginalized identities while providing outreach that would strengthen the graduate community.
Students involved with the GCRC have hosted a number of important events, including conversations about institutional racism, neoliberal capitalism, cisgender heteropatriarchy and oppressive microaggressions faced in academia. These activities, coordinated by our students in a space dedicated for such dialogues, add value to UC Merced and support the campus’s goals for equity, social justice and inclusion.
Since the GCRC space in COB2 was not initially designed as assembly space, it was determined that upgrades to the heating and ventilation systems were needed in order to accommodate the increased number of occupants. When our design team evaluated the scope of work required, it was discovered that the extent of renovations is more substantial than expected.
The GCRC was temporarily closed in May. After a required bidding process, repairs on the space are scheduled to begin the week of July 10 and completion is expected before the fall semester begins.
In the interim, Room 470 of the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library has been designated so the GCRC can continue its meaningful work. The temporary space’s purpose and use is the same as the GCRC and signs have been posted to communicate those guidelines and expectations.
Information about the GCRC can be found in D.I.C.E. News, the UC Merced Graduate Dean’s Advisory Council on Diversity newsletter. Questions and concerns can be sent to Director of Campus Climate De Acker or Director of Social Justice Initiatives Onar Primitivo.
Sincerely,
Charles Nies
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
