As classes begin Wednesday for UC Merced's 20th academic year, the campus and its offerings continue to grow to meet the needs of students and the community at large.
Edwin Lopez was so excited for his college experience to begin that he volunteered to help his fellow students move in last week. The first-year student from Firebaugh was set to attend Fresno State when he got a scholarship offer from UC Merced he said he couldn't refuse.
"This campus feels like home," he said. As soon as he visited, he knew he wanted to attend and couldn't wait to start.
Lopez and thousands of students starting or continuing their UC Merced adventures are finding plenty of activities to welcome them back.
"We're thrilled to welcome our newest Bobcats to campus and kick off the fall 2024 semester," interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brian O'Bruba said. "Our staff from across campus has organized more than 80 events such as workshops, athletic games and cultural activities."
The UC Merced Welcome Back festivities include the annual Scholars Bridge Crossing, set for 9 a.m. Tuesday. Students will be led by a golf cart "Pawrade" across Scholars Lane Bridge, through the Beginnings sculpture and on their way to their future as staff and faculty cheer them on.
Other welcome activities include:
- Hypnotist Tina Marie - 7 p.m. Monday Aug. 27 at the Little Lake Amphitheater
- Student Club & Organization Fair - noon Friday, Aug. 30 on the CTK Quad
- Women's Soccer scrimmage vs. California State University, Stanislaus - 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
- Campus Activities Board celebration, 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
- Associated Students of UC Merced Senate meeting - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4
- Men's Soccer season opener vs. Lincoln University - 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
- Pride Center open house - noon Thursday, Sept. 12
Students will see and hear signs of the university's continued expansion, with construction of the Medical Education Building underway. Scheduled to open in 2026, the building will host numerous health-related numerous, including the undergraduate phase of SJV PRIME+, which packages years of undergraduate and medical school training within UC Merced and UCSF Fresno. A second cohort of students in the program begins this fall.
An expanded Honors Program will help dozens of students achieve lofty academic goals.
"We're excited to welcome 60 Honors Program students to campus," said Amy Bergerson, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. "While Honors students have been part of the UC Merced community in the past, the full Honors Program experience is new and includes a range of programs and activities to engage students with faculty and staff from across campus."
Many of those Honors students will be part of the new Honors Program Living Learning Community. LLCs, as they're called, offer students the opportunity to live and socialize with others who share their academic goals and personal interests.
UC Merced's growth isn't limited to academics.
Preparations are underway for the university's athletic teams to begin competition in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, starting in the 2025-26 school year. This will be the last year UC Merced's student athletes compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where the Bobcats have won 13 conference championships and eight tournament championships, as well as three NAIA National Championship Opening Round games.
In the arts, plans call for an exciting exhibit co-hosted by UC Merced's art galleries and the Merced Multicultural Arts Center downtown. And a new sculpture honoring mascot Rufus will be unveiled this fall.
The university's online presence also has expanded. Anyone who would like to visit but can't make it to Merced can now click on the College Tour, which shares the stories of the university and some of its students. A new campus climate initiative is being introduced this semester regarding freedom of expression in an effort to alert student, staff and faculty to their rights and responsibilities.
After a nice summer break, faculty and staff look forward to the campus bustling once again with returning and new students.
Gabriela Melchor, 18, is one of those students. The first-year applied math major from Visalia said she was already enjoying taking part in the activities offered around campus.
"I love the area,"' she said. "I like how centered the campus is, and how the dorms have easy access to everything.
"It's been so great meeting new people and having a new experience."
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