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.

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.

Calvin E. Bright Success Center

The mission of the Calvin E. Bright Success Center is to provide learning support, transition programs, and individualized interventions which empower UC Merced students to be successful in their academic and personal development. We provide opportunities and co-curricular experiences that aid students in enhancing their knowledge of university resources, academic and personal growth/ development, and advocacy and access. Through intentional collaborations and program delivery, we focus on overcoming barriers and celebrating academic milestones.

  • Kolligian Library, 2nd Floor, KL 222
  • Phone: 209.228.7252

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.

  • Office: KL 107
  • Yessenia Curiel, Program Director
  • Lynna Cano, Campus Advocate
    • 209.386.2051
  • Valara Villanueva, Prevention Education Coordinator 
    • 209.355.0763

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.

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

Fiut Lux Scholars Program

The Fiat Lux Scholars Program is a community of scholars and dedicated staff who take a holistic approach to empower a select cohort of first-generation, income-eligible students to enhance their development, growth and academic success. Through encouragement, motivation and engagement, the program inspires its Scholars to “let their light shine” by developing the necessary skills to obtain their degree from UC Merced. The benefits to Fiat Lux Scholars include:

  • Regular, frequent interactions with your Fiat Lux Coordinator or your assigned counselor, to review your progress and make sure that you have the support you need throughout the semester;
  • Special support programs outside of class, to optimize your learning and general college survival strategies;
  • Enrollment in USTU 010 Freshman Success Course, 1 credit, proven to improve first-year students’ academic outcomes; and
  • A strong support system from the Fiat Lux Scholars Program office.

Students in the program are expected to participate in all required elements, such as workshops, ongoing communications with the program, and meetings with the coordinator. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program in the subsequent semester.

Guardian Scholars Program

Our vision is to be the premier destination for foster youth seeking higher education throughout the Central Valley and California. We believe in the inherent strength, resilience and ability of every foster youth to obtain a college degree and conquer their chosen field.

Our mission is to provide a sustainable network of academic and personal support services that promote degree attainment for foster youth at UC Merced. College degree and conquer their chosen field.

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.

Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

***********

  • Dania Matos, Associate Chancellor & Chief Diversity Officer
  • Deserie Cravalho-Crews – Executive Assistant to Associate Chancellor & Chief Diversity Officer,  Dania Matos

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.

 

Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS)

Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) is an essential part of student support. It relies on peers who collaborate to learn and teach each other. It is unencumbered by the traditional power structures that exist in the classroom. As such, peer assisted learning advances the idea of learning communities by providing a less restrictive learning environment, increasing accessibility to knowledge, and modeling learning behaviors and skills that encourage success.

We encourage you to collaborate; we encourage you to learn. 

Services for Undocumented Students

Services for Undocumented Students is committed to empowering undocumented students to achieve their academic and personal pursuits, and actively contribute to the world.

We support a safe and inclusive campus culture that fosters and nurtures intellectual, societal and experiential growth. Provide individualized services for each student focused on academic assistance, financial aid resources, legal assistance, and utilization of a collaborative campus and community referral network. As well as advocate for campus practices that treat all undocumented students with respect and dignity.

STEP Scholars Program

trengthening Talents and Exploring Pathways (STEP) is a new and exciting program designed for students to transition into their academic and career interests. As a STEP Scholar, students receive a range of special privileges and professional connections on and off campus. STEP aims to empower students to take ownership of their education and professional advancement. STEP is open to all UC Merced students who are first generation, from low-income families, or have a documented disability.  If you are interested in applying to STEP, please submit an Intake Form. 

STEP is a TRiO funded Student Support Services (SSS) Program. 

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

 

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

Success Mentor Program

Founded in the 2007-2008 academic year, the Success Mentor Program empowers first-year students to make a successful transition to academic and social life at UC Merced through one-on-one mentoring with upper-division students and community based initiatives.Success Mentors support and empower first-year students to develop strategies and skills that will enhance academic, intrapersonal and interpersonal development and develop a sense of Bobcat pride!

Transfer, Returning and Veteran (TRV) Program 

The Transfer, Returning, and Veteran (TRV) program assists transfer, returning, and veteran students in acclimating to the university and locating necessary resources within it. It helps to engage students in the campus community as a whole while they prepare for their future in graduate studies, professional schools, internships, or careers.

In addition, the TRV program offers returning students who have fulfilled reinstatement requirements to the university after a period of withdrawal/dismissal assistance with reintegration into the UC Merced community.

TRV promotes academic achievement and excellence through supportive services, which include:

  • Study space
  • Book loans
  • Social/networking opportunities
  • Personal and professional development
  • Tutoring
  • Career services

Our program also provides assistance to prospective community college transfer students, with particular emphasis on underrepresented students, by visiting community colleges upon request during the academic year to provide transition advising workshops. Potential transfer students are encouraged to email us and ask about transfer student resources and community at UC Merced.

  • Coordinator Office: Kolligian Library 346
  • TRV Lounge: Kolligian Library 344
  • Phone: 209.228.2434 
  • Email: trv@ucmerced.edu

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.