Return to Campus
Getting Ready and Reaching Out
Signs of hope are popping up everywhere as UC Merced proceeds with care toward a new academic year that could boast record enrollment and enjoy a return to in-person activities.
California dramatically expanded its coronavirus vaccination criteria in April, opening inoculations to all residents 16 and older by mid-month. Hospitalization and infection rates are falling. Our social media feeds are filled with photos of friends showing off their bandaged shoulders.
Meanwhile, the university is reaching out to students with numerous innovative outreach and support services, following a record 30,105 applications from prospective freshmen and transfers.
UC Merced is preparing for largely in-person instruction this fall and targeting July 1 for the start of returning remote staff to campus. Consequently, there are plans in spring and summer that bring incoming students and their families to campus in limited numbers and physically distanced conditions.
One of the big things about all this is not just waiting for students to ask for help, but proactively providing that help in a way that comes from a place of care. It’s especially important considering how intelligent they are. Many of them were at the top of their classes, so asking for help can be a difficult thing to do.
Dustin Noji, Admissions Director
At the heart of UC Merced’s “culture of care” is the Students First Center, a one-stop shop for information about admission, class registration, billing and financial aid. The center is not new; it was in place when the university held its first classes in 2005.
The center, along with the Division of Student Affairs , uses data from the Office of Institutional Research & Decision Support to identify students who, because of their backgrounds, may need extra assistance to bridge the gap between acceptance or intent to register and those first classes.
One solution is this year’s newly identified enrollment coaches, who guide these students — and their families — through everything from financial aid verification to orientation events.
“We’re very intentional about our student success mission, and in providing holistic support in ways that are unique and transformative,” Dean of Students Jonathan Grady said.
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Drive Thru Tour Enables Campus Visits
Admissions data says an in-person campus visit by a prospective student improves successful recruitment by 35%. But how can such visits happen amid the tight controls of a viral pandemic? Enter the Drive Thru Tour – a creative solution that lets students and their families experience UC Merced from the safety of their vehicles.
Student Affairs and External Relations collaborated to develop the tour, which debuted in March.
Visitors enter through the health checkpoint at Bellevue Road, then stop at designated points around campus to view the surroundings and watch a brief video about the location.The videos, narrated by students, are accessed on the Drive Thru Tour site or via QR codes on prominent signs at the tour stops.
The campus is open for tours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Guests are told building interiors aren’t open to them, so please don’t offer a personal tour. However, please help our guests feel welcome by taking a moment to wave, smile and show your Bobcat pride.
