Note: Beginning March 18, many campus services have moved to remote operations. Please contact specific office websites to determine how best to access staff and services.
Download our Bobcats Away Checklist, which outlines important deadlines and tasks you should complete while you are away from campus.
Distance Learning
Campus VPN
Students should utilize UC Merced's VPN service to facilitate remote connectivity and access on-campus resources such as library materials and campus computing resources: https://it.ucmerced.edu/VPN_Changeover
Preparing for Distance Learning (Educational Continuity): https://it.ucmerced.edu/EdContinuity_Students
UC Merced OIT Curated Resources for Students: https://it.ucmerced.edu/CuratedResourcesStudents
Zoom Virtual Background Images: https://marketing.ucmerced.edu/resources/images/zoom-backgrounds
Resources for Free Internet Access
Request for Loaner Laptop and Wi-Fi Hotspots
- Students who need laptops or access to internet via a hotspot can request these resources through this website: https://ue.ucmerced.edu/technology-resources.
Success in Distance Learning
- Planning for Distance Learning: PDF download
- Strategies for Success in Distance Learning: PDF download
- UC Merced OIT Curated Resources for Students
Learning Support
Tutoring/Learning Support
Most campus tutoring centers will maintain live remote tutoring sessions as well as additional resources to support your success. More information can be found at https://ue.ucmerced.edu/tutoring.
Online Workshops
The Bright Success Center offers on-demand workshops that support your success. Students should plan to complete 1 or more of the workshops related to success in distance coursework. More information at https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/online-workshops.
Library Hours
Connect to library resources and research assistance whether on or off-campus. All of the library’s journals, e-books, and databases are available via the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN). Ask your research questions through 24/7 Chat or a virtual research consultation. View our summary of services for details here: https://libguides.ucmerced.edu/lib-services.
Staying Well
Counseling & Psychological Services
- Community Behavioral Health: Students can access community behavioral health providers by contacting the Behavioral Health Services phone number on the back of their insurance card. There is typically a fee associated with this service, so please check with your insurance carrier to receive a list of covered providers. For more information please visit: counseling.ucmerced.edu and click on the “Off-Campus Provider” link.
- Live Health: Students who have UC SHIP can access Live Health services, which has the option for behavioral health therapy via online services with providers not affiliated with UCM. The service allows for a variety of options with regards to appointment and provider availability. There is a $15 fee for students enrolled with UC SHIP. Please contact UC SHIP for further information or visit counseling.ucmerced.edu and click on the “Live Health Online” link.
*Students who are not enrolled in UC SHIP can still access Live Health services for a fee of $95 per session.
- TAO: Online behavioral health and wellness resource addressing salient issues to college community such as depression, stress, anxiety, resilience, imposter syndrome and substance use. This service is free to UC Merced students and can be either downloaded to a mobile device from Google Play or Apple App store (signup with UCM email) or accessed at: thepath.taoconnect.org (select sign in with institution).
- ProtoCall: After Hours Crisis line will remain available regardless of CAPS and/or community closure.
- Crisis Text Support: Text “START” to 741-741 for free, text support.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Phone support at 1 800 273-8255, Chat support also available at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
- Resources
Student First Center
Beginning March 20, the SFC will offer services via phone and online. Students with questions regarding Admissions, Financial Aid or Registrar related services can contact staff via:
- Phone : 209-228-7178
- Email: studentsfirst@ucmerced.edu
- Chat: https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu
Students can also connect with SFC via the SFC mobile app (iPhone only) and by following Rufus Bobcat on Social Media: https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu/socialmedia
Cashiering and Student Business Services
Due to reduced campus operations, processes and timelines for payments and refunds have been changed. Please review https://bfs.ucmerced.edu/student-parents/guidance and https://bfs.ucmerced.edu/deptstaff-directory/financial-accounting-services/student-business-services/student-refundsfor updated information.
Basic Needs
We understand that Basic Needs has a direct impact on the mental-emotional-physical health, wellness, academic performance, professional development, and holistic success of our students. The quality of life of our students has a major impact on their sense of belonging, persistence, graduation rate, and overall experience. Therefore, we refuse to accept hunger, malnourishment, and homelessness as part of our university.
Click here for more information on Basic Needs resources during COVID-19.
- USDA Food Distribution: "Drive - Thru" Model : Friday, March 20th at MCC
- Available to students, staff and community members
- Location: MCOE Parking Lot (350 W Yosemite Avenue)
- Dates: Every third Friday of each month
- Time: 10:00-2:00 pm or until supplies last
- Please reach out to foodpantry@ucmerced.edu with any questions.
- Bobcat Pantry:
- Please complete the below form to pick up a pantry food bag with our modified operation hours. Students are limited to one bag a week.
- Please reach out to basicneeds@ucmerced.edu with any questions.
- CalFresh:
- Application assistance offered via Zoom appointments with student Calfresh Advocates. Through this method, we will have one of our staff guide you through the CalFresh application remotely while you complete it on your own (through the feature of screen sharing). Keep in mind that through remote services, we may not be able to advocate for you with county after your application has been submitted, though we will provide you with coaching on how to advocate for yourself (in cases there are delays or issues post-submission).
- Students can email calFreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu for any questions regarding the service. Our student staff will be monitoring emails and directing them to the Human Service Agency representative. HSA will reach out to students via phone only.
- All food recovery operations will be suspended as of March 18th, 2020
- Emergency Housing/Emergency Fund Crisis Support can be directed to the Dean of Students Office:
- Rental assistance, temporary housing for homeless students (student also receives meal swipes to the Pavilion), transitional housing, grocery store giftcards, emergency funds, etc.)
- Dean of Students office: https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students/emergency-funds
- Additional resources to be mindful of:
- UHAUL: UHAUL is offering free 30-day storage to any college student during this time (The free month applies to new customers with college IDs and is a limited-time offer subject to availability).
- Enterprise Car Rental: Enterprise Car Rental is lowering their age to rent a car from 21 to 18 and waiving the young renter fee for rentals until May 31st. If students need to get home and don't want to risk getting on a plane/train - this could help!
Remote Student Services
Academic Advising
Have questions about your grades or need to plan for your Summer or Fall courses? Be sure to stay in touch with your academic advisor. Note that many advising appointments have moved online –please check your advising website for more information :
- Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) –First year students and all undeclared students
- School of Engineering –Serves all non-first year Engineering students
- School of Natural Sciences –Serves all non-first year Natural Sciences students
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) –Serves all non-first year SSHA students
Student Financial Aid
Visit https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/covid-19 for information regarding financial aid.
Registrar
Updates to processes for remote processing of Registrar forms can be found at https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/forms/. Reminder: Course withdrawlforms must be received by your advisor no later than April 7, 2020.
Tutoring/Learning Support
Most campus tutoring centers will maintain live remote tutoring sessions as well as additional resources to support your success. More information can be found at https://ue.ucmerced.edu/tutoring.
Bright Success Center
Student Accessibility Services: Student Accessibility Services will be available for consultation by appointment. Meetings will be conducted via video meeting or phone meeting. Appointments can be made by through our accommodation management system, MyAccess. Urgent questions can be sent to access@ucmerced.edu or (209-228-6996).
To access resources to assist students who have learning accommodations, use this link: https://access.ucmerced.edu/covid-19-resources
BSC Program staff are available digitally to serve students. Visit https://learning.ucmerced.edu/available_services for updated contact information.
Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE)
The Campus Advocate, Lynna will be available to provide crisis intervention services via cell or text at 209-386-2051. The CARE Director, Yesenia is available via e-mail at ycuriel2@ucmerced.edu or cell phone 209-233-1746. During this difficult time, we would like to remind everyone to become proactive at being an active bystander in stopping behavior or attitudes that can contribute to domestic violence and sexual assault. During this pandemic and high crisis times, people may have difficulty controlling their frustration or anger.
CARE Tips:
- Reflect on the what you can control.
- Seek out support and resources.
- Seek out information from reliable resources.
- Develop your support system via cell phone or online.
- Practice good hygiene and physical distance.
For more information: https://care.ucmerced.edu
Center for Career & Professional Advancement (CCPA)
The Center for Career & Professional Advancement (CCPA) is continuing to offer career coaching and job search resources for undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni in a virtual environment. We are increasing our services and resources in order to help you achieve your career success, including virtual employer events, career workshops and trainings, increased email review of resumes and cover letters. Visit hire.ucmerced.edu for more information.
The Handshake Management System can be used to make appointments with Career Specialists and view postings for jobs and summer internships. . The CCPA team has identified the companies that are currently adding to their workforce, along with remote positions and part-time temporary employment.
Equity and Inclusion Toolkit: https://emergency.ucmerced.edu/covid19-resources-university
