Dear Campus Community, 

Last month, I wrote to you after traveling to Washington, D.C. for a series of meeting and events. This month, I’ve continued to represent UCR at meetings that foster collaboration and partnership among university leaders. 

In early July, I went to Singapore for an Annual Presidents’ Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. In addition to attending sessions on the topic of “Reconnecting in a Sustainable World,” I visited with alumni living abroad. The following week, I headed to Kansas for a meeting to discuss waves of change at public research universities.

While both meetings focused on anticipating what’s next, one of the things that struck me was something that never changes. No matter where I go in the world, I encounter UCR enthusiasts. Our mission and the work we are doing to create knowledge and support student success at the intersection of access and research excellence has gained fans around the world. Below you will find several updates that show how we will continue to expand our reach and influence.

2022-2023 Budget

Earlier this month, I sent a message to campus about the approval of the state budget that funds the University of California for the 2022-2023 academic year. Over the last 6 months, many of you helped highlight our needs. In your advocacy work, you exemplified the commitment and passion with which UCR employees would utilize requested resources to drive new opportunity for the region and state. I remain grateful to each of you, Governor Newsom, and our state legislators, who also advocated on our behalf, for the new funds to support climate initiatives, student services, and campus expansion.

This week we also received approval from the UC Board of Regents Finance and Capital Strategies Committee to move forward with a new building for the School of Business. The new building, which will include auditorium and classroom seating as well as a computer lab, follows plans in the Long-Range Development Plan to expand facilities in the east campus. 

Searches

Three administrative openings are currently an area of focus for my office. This past week we held candidate forums for Chief Campus Counsel. Search committee chair, Vice Chancellor Rodolfo Torres, sent a message to campus requesting feedback. Candidate credentials and forum recordings can be viewed on the Executive Searches website. 

Meanwhile, the search committee for Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief Human Resources Officer is continuing to evaluate candidates. We’ve also posted an opening for a Director, Campus Safety Services (Chief of Police). The new Director will also continue to lead the integration of the UCR Police Department with the Health, Well-being & Safety division. Applications are due to July 29.

We look forward to sharing updates as we make progress on these administrative searches.

College Tour

Lights, camera, action! From July 25-29, you may notice a film crew on campus. We are excited to announce that we will be featured in an upcoming episode of The College Tour, a series streaming on Amazon Prime. Ten of our best and brightest students and recent alumni will share their stories to explain why UCR is such a special place.

The episode, which will stream on Amazon and other services this fall, has a global audience allowing us to attract students from all over the world. I’m also looking forward to sharing a video conversation with host and show producer Alex Boylan on some of the reasons I think UCR is amazing. We will share more in coming months. You’ll find additional information about The College Tour on their website. 

Thank you, commencement volunteers

For the first time in two years, twelve full commencement ceremonies resumed on campus last month. A few numbers: 5,898 of 7,377 eligible graduates participated, and 34,224 guests attended. The events were a tremendous success thanks to the 419 volunteers and 248 faculty participants. Given all of the obstacles this year’s graduates had to overcome, delivering ceremonies was all the sweeter. Thank you to each of our volunteers. Thank you also to each of you, the entire UCR faculty and staff community, for supporting these students through your work each day.