August 21, 2010

Editor,

As we begin our sixth academic year at UC Merced, I invite our local community to join me in extending a warm welcome to our new and returning students.

This fall, we anticipate enrolling more than 4,000 students. About 1,500 will be living on campus, with 370 living in our striking new residence hall, which you may have seen if you visited campus recently. The design of The Summits supports the campus’ mission to promote sustainability, while the orientation of the floor plan and social spaces promote community.

But while many of our students will be living on campus, more than 2,500 will be living in the community. I’m excited about the great opportunity we have collectively to greet new residents and work together to promote positive relations between student and nonstudent Mercedians.

Having lived and worked in several college towns before coming to Merced nine years ago, I know how important it is for students and other residents to establish and maintain good neighbor relations.

UC Merced staff aim to educate students residing off campus in apartments and houses on the importance of good neighbor relations and on policies pertaining to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as city ordinances and general resources.

We address topics with them such as alcohol use, moderating noise and building positive relationships with neighbors. We also encourage our students to proactively introduce themselves to you — their neighbors — soon after moving in. Most students understand the importance of being respectful and responsive to concerns you may have throughout the year.

In turn, I hope Mercedians will reach out to their student neighbors and get to know them. A third of our students hail from the Valley, but many others come from throughout the state, country and abroad. Getting to know them, and perhaps even inviting them to join your neighborhood association meetings, should help establish a positive climate of mutual respect.

Knowing your neighboring students by name should also make it easier to discuss with them any concerns that may arise. Students often are not aware that their actions may adversely affect their neighbors, but in my experience, they are usually receptive to respectful feedback from those who live near them — especially if a rapport has already been established before issues arise.

I want to thank community members for the numerous acts of kindness they have shown to our students, faculty and staff over the last five years. We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all. As UC Merced continues to grow and serve as a vital catalyst for long-term economic growth in the region, we remain committed to working with Mercedians to establish town-gown ties that help the region flourish in years to come.

Go Bobcats!

Jane Lawrence, UC Merced Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs