Dear UCR Students,

I am writing as a follow-up to Chancellor Wilcox’s email sent on March 14, 2020, regarding the campus closure. As the Chancellor mentioned in his message, our efforts are driven by concern for the public’s health and safety. We recognize that this is a disruptive time and appreciate your understanding as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation.

As a reminder, all instruction will be delivered remotely for the entirety of the spring quarter. This is a change from the April 3 end date for remote instruction.

Student Housing and Meal Plans 

Students in all campus housing are strongly encouraged to go to their permanent place of residence if they are able. If you are a financial aid recipient residing in an on-campus residence and decide to leave campus, please notify the financial aid office immediately via financial aid’s self-service through R’Web. The financial aid office will ensure that all proper expenses are included in your cost of attendance to include an allowance for living at home. 

Campus housing will remain open, and dining services will be provided to those with meal plans.  Students can stay or go home, based on their individual circumstances. If students wish to cancel their housing contracts for spring quarter they need to submit a housing contract cancellation request online at MyHousing. Students will be financially released from their contract if they cancel. If you are a financial aid recipient, your financial aid award status may change.   

Student Life

All events and student activities scheduled on campus are cancelled until further notice.

Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Residential Life, Dining, and R’Pantry remain available to support students. Students should know that offices will implement procedures to minimize contact, such as providing telehealth services (e.g., Live Health Online) and social distancing measures to minimize in-person contact. We recommend that students visit websites first for information on accessing services.

Please note, R’Pantry will offer a limited supply of gift cards to the grocery store at Student Health Services, CAPS, and Residential Life.

R’Pantry can be accessed by appointment only from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For further questions or more direct support, please email at rpantry@ucr.edu. To set an appointment at R’Pantry please visit: https://rpantry.youcanbook.me/.

Please refer to the Keep Learning website for additional online resources. It will be updated accordingly. Computer labs in Watkins 2117 and 2111 and laptop kiosks remain available during finals week.

UCR Commencement 

There has been no decision made about 2020 commencement ceremonies. We advise families not to make arrangements at this time to come to the campus for commencement celebrations pending further guidance from Riverside County Public Health. We are actively looking at alternatives to celebrate our graduates in an appropriate manner. We understand that commencement is an important part of the UCR experience and we want to honor our students while still keeping our community safe. Graduating students should look for a separate message from the UCR Commencement office with details and information in the coming weeks.

Given the dynamic nature of travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, we advise students leaving campus for spring break to take course materials they would need to keep up with classes that are being taught remotely from an off-campus location. We strongly advise students to refrain from personal, non-essential travel (both domestic and international) during spring break.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. I’d like to wish everyone a successful finals week and to remember our staff and faculty are here to support you in any way possible.

Please refer to UCR’s COVID-19 website for the latest information.