March Edition

Dear Scholars,

Welcome to the March edition of “Q&A with the DOS.” This series will post mid-month to the Dean of Students webpage during the academic year and is designed to help increase communication between students and Administration. To submit your questions for the April 2023 edition, please email hfrench@ucmerced.edu or submit them here.

As questions submitted may not always be within my purview of responsibility, if I don’t know the answer, I will reach out to my colleagues or do some research to find out. Here goes!

Q: How can I take classes remotely?

A: Unless you have enrolled in an on-line course, instruction is in-person and remote participation is not an option. If you are sick or have experienced an emergency and will be absent from class for a brief period of time, please contact your instructors for guidance on how best to stay current in your courses during the time you are unable to attend. If you have a need to be absent for an extended period of time, please contact your academic advisor to discuss whether an educational leave may be the right option for you.

Q: What options are there for mental health counseling in addition to CAPS?

A: In addition to requesting an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), all students have access to 30-minute, virtual mental health coaching sessions through Black Girl Doctor. Additionally, those students who have UC SHIP insurance can access teletherapy through UC Merced affiliated providers. If you or someone that you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please utilize any of these urgent services including calling Campus Police at (209) 228-2677 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, among other resources.

Q: I missed the deadline to sign up for on-campus housing for the fall. What can I do?

A: First, if you wish to live on campus for fall ‘23 and have not yet applied for housing, you should do so ASAP. To learn more about how to apply for on-campus housing, please see here and submit your application on the student housing portal (linked in the upper righthand corner of the page). There will be spaces offered on a rolling basis as cancellations come in between now and the start of fall semester. Students with signed contracts will be housed. Students without signed housing contracts should start looking for off-campus housing options.

Q: How do I sign up for one of the cultural graduation celebrations?

A: There are four cultural graduation celebrations currently being planned collaboratively with university staff and student groups. To learn more or to sign up to participate in one of the ceremonies listed below, please see here. For questions, please contact

Pilipinx Grad:

Date: 04/23/23
Time: 5 PM- 7:30 PM
Location: COB 102

Lavender Grad:

Date: 04/28/23
Time: 6 PM- 9 PM
Location: California Room

Latinx Grad:

Date: 05/13/23
Time: 3 PM- 5 PM
Location: Merced Theatre

Black Grad:

Date: 05/13/23
Time: 6 PM- 9 PM
Location: Merced Theatre

Bonus Announcements:

Are you graduating this May and interested in serving as commencement speaker for the official University Commencement on May 13 or May 14? Applications are due by no later than April 7th! For more information and to apply, please see here.
Did you know? Pay By Text will replace the Way to Park app as of April 1st. For more information on this and other options to pay for on-campus parking, please see here.