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Events Prepare Campus Community for Fall

August 8, 2018
Two students hold a sign that reads: Welcome to UC Merced. Welcome to the Community. Welcome Home!
From Move-In Weekend and the Scholars Lane Bridge Crossing to staff and faculty convocations, UC Merced kicks off its 2018-19 academic year with a host of events for students, faculty and staff members.

Never mind the holidays. For Ron Radney, the most wonderful time is the start of a new academic year.

Since joining UC Merced three years ago as director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Radney and his wife, Terri, have been among the first people to volunteer for Move-In Weekend. When 3,500 students arrive Aug. 18 and 19 to move into campus housing, the couple will lend their hands and help forge connections with students.

“To see the excitement in their eyes and the pride of their families is really something special,” he said. “We love seeing students and their families taking pictures with Rufus, especially multigenerational pictures. Those will be great memories for those families and our many first-generation college students.”

Move-In Weekend is one of several events kicking off the 2018-19 academic year. With so much going on – staff and faculty convocations, the Scholars Lane Bridge Crossing, orientations for new campus community members and more – we’re highlighting several key events coming up in the next few weeks.

A crowd shot of staff members inside the Dr. Lakireddy Auditorium during UC Merced’s 2017 Staff Convocation.
Chancellor Dorothy Leland, senior leadership and others will address staff and faculty during their respective convocations, Aug. 17 for staff and Aug. 21 for faculty.

Aug. 16: New Faculty Orientation, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kolligian Library, Room 232

New faculty members will meet colleagues while learning the lay of the land at UC Merced during New Faculty Orientation. Academic Senate leadership will introduce the Senate and discuss the University of California’s shared governance practice . New faculty members will hear overviews of available programs and processes that support teaching and research, as well as presentations that offer demographics and other details about UC Merced’s 2018-19 undergraduate and graduate students. The day ends with a question-and-answer session with current faculty members. Throughout the academic year, new faculty members can attend workshops specifically designed to continue their acclimation at UC Merced. At the end of the 2019 spring semester, new faculty members will attend a luncheon with the interim executive vice chancellor and provost, where they can offer feedback on their first-year experience.

Aug. 17: Staff Convocation, 1-2 p.m., Dr. Lakireddy Auditorium

Chancellor Dorothy Leland and Staff Assembly invite staff members to start the fall semester at the annual Staff Convocation. The one-hour event will recognize last year’s accomplishments and look ahead to the coming year. Leland and members of her executive leadership team will provide campus updates, and Staff Assembly will announce recipients of the 2018 Staff Excellence Awards. Staff members can RSVP by Aug. 17 . An optional dessert reception will take place after convocation in the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library. Off-campus employees are encouraged to carpool. Parking enforcement will be relaxed in the Bellevue Lot.

Aug. 18 and 19: Move-In Weekend

Housing and Residence Life could still use some helping hands during Move-In Weekend. Volunteers are needed for morning and afternoon shifts. Meet and greet UC Merced’s new students and their families – and score a T-shirt to boot. Email Julia Flohr or call Conference and Event Services, 209-228-2313.

Two students hold a sign that reads: Welcome to UC Merced. Welcome to the Community. Welcome Home!
UC Merced staff members volunteer during last year's Move-In Weekend. This fall, 3,500 students will to move into campus housing.

Aug. 21: Scholars Lane Bridge Crossing, 9 to 10 a.m.

Dust off your blue-and-gold pompoms and get ready to high-five UC Merced’s newest Bobcats during the annual Scholars Lane Bridge Crossing .

Chancellor Leland, the UC Merced Cheer Team and Rufus Bobcat will lead hundreds of first-year and transfer students across the bridge and through the Beginnings sculpture to signify the start of their UC Merced journeys. Students marching in the procession will gather at 8:30 a.m. on Muir Pass near the Joseph E. Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center.

The atmosphere during the bridge crossing is like one big pep rally, with staff, faculty and student clubs and organizations lining Scholars Lane while holding posters and signs to welcome new students.

Aug. 21: ASCEND New Student Success Workshops

ASCEND New Student Success Workshops – specially designed for first-year and transfer students – are presented during Welcome Week and the first six weeks of instruction. New students receive information, tips and resources to help ensure a smooth transition from high school or community college and provide a foundation for a successful first year at UC Merced. Additional details are available on the ASCEND website.

Aug. 21: Faculty Convocation, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Classroom and Office Building 2, Room 130

Chancellor Leland, interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Gregg Camfield and others will address the academic side of the house during Faculty Convocation . Campus leaders will provide updates and an overview of the coming academic year, and celebrate last year’s accomplishments, which include the 2018 Senate Awards. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charles Nies will talk about incoming class of students and how to support their success.

If we missed your event in this list, don’t fret. Let the campus community know about it by adding it to UC Merced’s Events Calendar . Anyone with a UCMNetID can submit an event. Submissions are added to the calendar pending review and approval.