Dear Alumni,
As members of our incredible and steadily growing alumni base, you are better equipped than anyone to share the story of the University of California, Merced. You know from firsthand experience what makes this university so special and how to account for its meteoric rise within the first 16 years of its existence. You – our ingenious, resilient, and ambitious graduates – helped to shape UC Merced into what it is today and to chart the path forward, and are walking examples of the transformational impact of UC Merced.
For all these reasons and more, your voice is vital in sharing our story, championing our mission, and advocating for support. As the smallest and youngest campus in the University of California system, state and federal funding are even more critical to support our teaching, research, and public service missions than for our sister campuses. The American Rescue Plan will provide substantial and much-needed federal funding for UC and our campus for student emergency grants, distance learning needs, and COVID-19 response efforts. On the state level, we are actively advocating for the State budget to fully restore cuts that were made to UC last year and to provide additional ongoing funding to meet the critical needs of the University of California. Key to ensuring legislators support funding for UC is helping them see that an investment in UC is an investment in the future of California and in efforts that help to accelerate our state’s recovery.
Advocacy is important, and hearing from individuals that were directly served by UC Merced can be even more impactful in inspiring support. We invite you to participate in opportunities to advocate on behalf of our university, and would like to share two action items you can start with:
- Join the UC Advocacy Network – text “UC” to 52886 or sign up to receive email alerts with updates and advocacy opportunities.
- Sign the Double the Pell petition – Pell Grants provide critical funding to help low-income students pay for higher education.
On behalf of UC Merced, thank you for your continued engagement and support of your alma mater. We are proud of all that you are doing out in the world which reflects so positively on UC Merced, and hope that you may return to campus for a visit before long. Please stay safe and be well.
In partnership,
E. Edward Klotzbier
