Skip to content

Services, Support & Resources

Services, Support & Resources

The Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs provides services, support and resource for the UC Merced Community to access. Whether you are seeking services, support and resources as an. indivudal,  student organization, faculty, staff or general UC Merced community member, we have many forms of engagement.
 

Services & Support

Academic Success Tutoring

Working in partnership with the Writing Center, Math Center, STEM Resource Center, Chemistry Center, and PALS: Peer Assisted Learning Support, scholars can gain academic support through tutoring.

Sessions:

  • TBA

CAPS Drop-in Hours

In partnership with Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers regular drop-in hours virtually and within the Multicultural and LGBTQ+ Pride Centers. The CAPS Drop-in Hours represents our dedicated to the holistic support and development of our campus community. 

  • Register to join a session
    • After registration, you will receive an email with the session link
  • Virtual Drop-in Hours: Tuesdays from 11-12pm

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion SJIIP Grants

The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Grant is an opportunity for recognized multicultural student clubs and organizations the opportunity to apply for funding on initiatives addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion/social justice. These grants are available for all registered multicultural clubs and organizations (MRCO) in good standing with the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) or communities that are partnered with MRCO. The EDI Grants for Multicultural RCO Collaboration contributes to student success by creating opportunities to create a sense of belonging, build community, develop critical thinking skills, learn about the impact of assessment on creating meaningful programs and initiates, and gain valuable skill regarding grant writing development.

  • Apply online

Grant/Scholarship Writing Sessions

The centers will partner with the Office of Financial Aid/Bright Success Center host workshops developed and presented by the Office of Financial Aid regarding applying for scholarships & grants, filling out financial aid, etc. Additionally, the center(s) will have a list of scholarships and grant opportunities available based on identities served by each of the centers. These binders will be generally developed over the 2020 summer/fall and expand and updated semesterly and as more/additional resources become available.

Session:

  • TBA

Healing Circle

Healing circles help us step out of ordinary time into a safe and accepting environment in which we can explore our healing. Together, we explore ways of deepening our capacity to heal, alleviating our suffering, and finding meaning in both challenge and joy. We access our own inner guidance to understand where the greatest healing—in body, emotions, and spirit—can occur. Healing Circles are available for all UC Merced. scholars, staff and faculty and are hosted virtually weekly on Fridays from 1-3pm and more often should the need arise. To attend a Healing Circle, you must use your UC Merced account.

  • Fridays weekly
  • 1-3pm
  • Zoom link:

Leadership Development

In partnership with the Margo Souza Leadership Center (MSLC), we will host leadership workshops, scheduled based on MSLC availability but preferable on Wednesday monthly (Angi’s area – scheduled over the summer)

Workshops:

  • TBA

Resources

There are a number of resources that can support you on your journey while at UC Merced. Below is a snapshot of some of those resources.

 

Campus

Basic Needs Security

We understand that Basic Needs has a direct impact on the mental-emotional-physical health, wellness, academic performance, professional development, and holistic success of our students.

The quality of life of our students has a major impact on their sense of belonging, persistence, graduation rate, and overall experience. Therefore, we refuse to accept hunger, malnourishment, and homelessness as part of our university.

Office: KL 184


Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE)

The Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) Office provides response to and education about gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. The CARE Office serves all individuals affiliated with UC Merced including students, staff, and faculty members.

  • Yessenia Curiel, Program Director
  • Lynna Cano, Campus Advocate
    • 209.386.2051
  • Valara Villanueva, Prevention Education Coordinator
    • 209.355.0763

Office: KL 107


Cat Cops (UC Merced Police Department)

The UC Merced Police Department serves the UC Merced community and associated university property 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department is a full-service agency.

  • Police Services
  • Emergency Management

Our police officers, public safety dispatchers, community service officers, student volunteers, support staff and managers provide innovative and caring professional service to the community. Services include but are not limited to notifying first responders to reports violence on campus, RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) training for students, faculty and staff, and Safety Escorts.

Email: police@ucmerced.edu

Phone: 209.CAT.COPS (228.2677)


Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling and Psychological Services exists to support each student’s academic pursuit by providing professional services that care for the emotional, personal and social wellbeing of students.

Email: counseling@ucmerced.edu

Phone: 209.228.4266

Office: CAPS offices are located on the first floor of the H. Rajender Reddy Health Center attached to the Joseph. E. Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center


Dean of Students

WE ADVOCATE. WE CONNECT. WE CARE.

The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at the University of California, Merced is a unit under the Division of Student Affairs that holistically promotes student development and advocates for student success through intentional programs and initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and policy/procedural development that enhance campus climate and facilitates the successful navigation of campus life. Utilizing a social justice orientation rooted in community cultural wealth, criticalness, collaboration, accountability, and care, the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students is a central space for students, parents, staff, and faculty to receive assistance with navigating the complexity of student life. The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students supports the University’s mission and values while placing students first in all endeavors.

  • Jonathan Grady, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students
    • Best way to contact – jgrady2@ucmerced.edu
    • Best way to schedule a meeting - Click the button below
    • Platforms for meetings – Zoom & Phone
    • Office Number 209.228.4482
  • Armando Contreras, M.A.Ed., Assistant Dean of Students
    • Best way to contact – acontreras39@ucmerced.edu
    • Best way to schedule a meeting - Click the button below
    • Platforms for meetings – Zoom & Phone
    • Office Number 209.228.4482
  • Emily Alpert, Administrative Assistant

 

LGBTQ+ Initiatives

The purpose of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, within the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs, is to affirm the unique lives, identities and intersectionalities of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Intersex, Pansexual, Omnisexual, same gender loving people and ally students, and faculty and staff members. We encourage a supportive and inclusive environment by providing education, outreach and advocacy opportunities that assist our LGBTQ+ and ally students and faculty and staff members to achieve personal and academic excellence.

Email: lgbtq@ucmerced.edu

Phone: 209.228.2250

Office: KL 167A


Student Accessibility Services

The mission of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to promote equal educational access and full participation by and for students with disabilities in the rich academic and campus life environment at UC Merced.

Phone: 209.228.6996

Office: 222 Kolligian Library


Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

***********

  • Dania Matos
  • Deserie Cravalho-Crews

Office of Social Justice Initiatives

The Office of Social Justice. Initiatives & Identity Programs (SJIIP) aims to enhance the retention of our historically-underserved scholars and to foster an inclusive campus environment for all by providing opportunities for holistic development, intersectional community building, and student agency.

Office: KL 167


Student Health Services

The mission of the Student Health Services is to help each student strive for maximum physical and emotional health while pursuing their academic and personal goals at UC Merced. Student Health Services is committed to providing the highest quality primary health care, in combination with health education and wellness promotion through caring, accessible and affordable services.


Email: health@ucmerced.edu

Phone: 209.228.2273

Office: Recreation and Wellness Building, Second Floor


Women's Programs

Women's Programs, within the Office of Social Justice Initiatives &. Identity Programs, provides opportunities for the UC Merced community to learn, grow and reinforce the leadership and well-being of womxn. Through a continuous examination of power, privilege and the intersections of identity, Women’s Programs establishes a network of support and advocates for the positive educational and co-curricular experiences for all members of the UC Merced community while maintaining a specific focus on gender and womxn.

Email: womensprograms@ucmerced.edu

Office: KL 167


Resource Binders

There are a number of resources available to our UC Merced community based on community and needs. The resource binders provide a one-stop shop where folx can learn about and access various resources at UC Merced, in the surrounding community, statewide and nationally. The binders are not fully inclusive as they will continue to be developed as resources become available. You can find these resource binders online here.