Dear Trustees,
Thank you for your continued participation, both during work group calls and through the Conversations with Campus Leaders (CCL) series. Our campus presenters have certainly enjoyed the opportunities to connect with you and receive your insights and feedback.
The fall semester began last week and we continue with a predominantly remote model for instruction. As previously shared, only a minimum number of classes are in person, and on-campus housing is offered to students for whom it is the best or only place to live while pursuing their education. About 350 students are living on campus, and we virtually welcomed about 2,000 incoming first year and transfer students with the video below, featuring the longstanding Bobcat tradition, the Scholars Bridge Crossing.
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You may have also heard about the new Student Dens program (see this handout from the CCL session with Charles Nies and Sarah Frey), which will be critical to ensuring both new and continuing students have access to services, connections, and a community to support their continued success. For those who would like to be involved in engaging students through these virtual communities, please complete this interest form and we will follow up soon with more information.
Chancellor Muñoz has enjoyed connecting with many of you during his first two months at UC Merced and is looking forward to further opportunities to hear from members of our board. We are pleased to share that he will deliver his first Chancellor's Annual Address, hosted by the UC Merced Foundation, on Monday, October 12 at 3 p.m. An email invitation for this virtual event will follow soon.
Lastly, we have an important announcement for our trustees. Blackbaud, a vendor that UC Merced has used since 2004 for some database management services related to philanthropy and strategic partnerships, has informed us it had experienced an IT security incident that has exposed some information. The UC Merced IT team has assessed the situation and confirmed that the data involved in the incident did not include sensitive financial information. We do not store social security, bank account, or credit card numbers in our database.
We will continue to remain in regular contact with Blackbaud to understand what actions they have taken to increase security and will monitor their response. Our priority is the safety and security of your personal information. We urge you to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity or suspected identity theft to the proper law enforcement authorities. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact Lisa Pollard Carlson at lpollard@ucmerced.edu.
Please continue to remain safe and well, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or comments to share.
Best,
E. Edward Klotzbier, JD
Vice Chancellor
President, UC Merced Foundation
Lisa Pollard Carlson
Associate Vice Chancellor
Vice President, UC Merced Foundation
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2020 Trustees' Impact Fund |
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The board is currently at just over 60% trustee participation in contributing to the 2020 Trustees’ Impact Fund in support of the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve. Combined with the funds received in 2019, we have raised over $265K for the project, meaning over $530K with the match funding. We were originally working with a late summer deadline to submit the project proposal, but that timeline has been extended. We now have until December 2020 to reach our goal and maximize our impact.
For those that have not yet made a contribution, you can give online by clicking the button below, or by completing and sending this remit card. Should you have any questions, please contact Lisa Pollard Carlson at lpollard@ucmerced.edu or (209) 291-8169. Thank you for your support of this important initiative!
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Work Group Meetings
Wednesday, September 22, 2:00 pm - Advocacy & Awareness
Wednesday, September 23, 2:00 pm - Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Thursday, September 24, 11:00 am - Nominations
Friday, September 25, 1:00 pm - Philanthropy
Friday, October 16, Time TBD - Executive Committee
Full Board Meetings
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Thank you for continuing to connect with UC Merced and our board through virtual platforms. Check out this group photo from the Executive Committee's recent "retreat" on Zoom.
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Conversations with Campus Leaders |
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You are cordially invited to register for upcoming Conversations with Campus Leaders. Note that prior knowledge of topics is not necessary - all are welcome to join the sessions to learn more about programs, initiatives, and research from across the university. You are also welcome to invite a guest that may be interested in learning more. If you have any questions regarding the series, reach out to Stephanie Sia at ucmfoundation@ucmerced.edu or (209) 382-4142.
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COMING UP...
Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 AM
Please join us for a conversation with Nancy Burke, Professor and Department Chair of Public Health in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Dr. Burke will discuss UC Merced Public Health’s faculty research and engagement with the COVID-19 pandemic response.
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A new chapter began at UC Merced on June 1 with the completion of the massive $1.2 billion Merced 2020 Project, an extensive expansion of the campus’ physical space and capacity.
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UC Merced is one of the country’s best four-year universities for quality, affordability and alumni outcomes, according to Money’s 2020 Best Colleges rankings by value.
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HP donated 100 computers to UC Merced in the late spring, 69 of which were used by incoming Bobcats participating in the Summer Bridge program.
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Marjorie Zatz now serves as interim vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, and her primary goal in the new role will be positioning the campus to earn R1 research status.
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After more than two years in development, the pre-proposal for the Ernest & Julio Gallo School of Management is now being reviewed by administrators and faculty on campus, the first step in the formal approval process.
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Armando Quintero’s passion for water, conservation, nature and responsible stewardship has carried him through his life, from his days as a National Park ranger, artist, teacher and leader of natural history journeys to his executive director position with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute.
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Before the rover left Earth, current and former members of UC Merced’s Fundamental Tribology Lab conducted critical tests that provided key information for the mission’s success.
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UC Merced is one of four campuses across the country uniting to harness the power of innovation and technology to develop precision agriculture for a sustainable future.
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Thanks to a three-year, $1.8 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, a team of researchers, including mechanical engineering Professor Ashlie Martini, are forming a new center on mechanochemistry.
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Check out the virtual concert here, hosted by UC Merced and the City of Merced through the Levitt Foundation. The performance opened with the UC Merced faculty rock band G Street Revolution, followed by Valley Wolf, an up-and-coming Modesto band that uses swirling organs, heavy drums and guitar to underscore socio-political lyrics arising from modern Latinx culture.
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On a hot June evening, UC Merced Professor Josh Viers joined farm advocate and farmer Tom Willey on his front porch near Fresno to talk about California’s water, disadvantaged communities, agricultural production and the future as part of the new “Down on the Farm” podcast that’s now available for all to hear.
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Tour the virtual gallery of art submitted by UC Merced students, faculty, and staff on Facebook here. Vote for your favorite student piece with a "heart" to determine the People's Choice Award winner!
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