Resources for UC Merced Students

The Fiat Lux Scholars Program is committed to the success of our scholars in the pursuit of their educational goals. Please utilize this web page to refer to important resources that may assist you in your journey here at UC Merced.

Important Student Information

• UC Merced Principles of Community: https://www.ucmerced.edu/principles-of-community
   
• UC Merced Diversity Statement: https://ejie.ucmerced.edu/diversity-statement
   
• UC Merced Land Acknowledgement: https://ejie.ucmerced.edu/welcome/values/land-acknowledgement
   
• For information about COVID-19: https://doyourpart.ucmerced.edu/
   
  • For UC Merced students: https://doyourpart.ucmerced.edu/student-information 

Student Services 

• Students First Center (SFC):  http://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu

E-mail: studentsfirst@ucmerced.edu

Phone: 209-228-7178

Online chat available on their website.

Check on the SFC website for location and hours of operation: http://https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu/location

• Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/
   
  • UC Merced Catalog: https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/index.php?catoid=21
     
  • Registering for Classes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akp7XAhBCtQ

• Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS): https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/
   
  • Contact the OFAS (Email, Phone, In-Person): https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/contact_us
     
  • Virtual appointments: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/virtualappts
     
  • Location and Hours: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/location-hours
     
  • Types of Aid (Grants, Loans, Scholarships, Work-Study, etc.): https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/types-aid
     
  • FAFSA: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/FAFSA
     
  • Cost of Attendance (CoA): https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/cost-attendance
     
  • Summer Session Financial Aid: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/summer
     
  • Scholarships page: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/scholarships  -Includes institutional scholarship opportunities, outside scholarship opportunities, and middle-class scholarship opportunities. Financial Aid Videos: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/videos. Helpful links: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/helpful_links
     

    • A Sample List of Competitive Scholarships:

      Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship
      Rhodes Scholarship
      Marshall Scholarship
      Goldwater Scholarship
      Truman Scholarship
      Strauss Scholarship
      Udall Scholarship
      Mitchell Scholarship
      Public Policy Leadership Conference at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
      UC LEADS
      Public Policy and International Affairs Summer Institute at Princeton
      Institute for Responsible Citizenship
      Gates Cambridge Scholarship
      Summer Institute for Emerging Minority Leaders

       

• UC Merced Library: https://library.ucmerced.edu
   

  • Library Workshops: https://library.ucmerced.edu/news/2018/library-workshops-expand-your-toolkit-for-success

  • Start Your Paper, which includes brief DIY tutorials on locating databases and using common search tools like Melvyl and Academic Search Complete.

  • Get it Online, which outlines the essentials of accessing online information with two short DIY tutorials on e-books, and UCeLinks.

  • Not sure where to start? Visit the Library’s FAQ page: https://libanswers.ucmerced.edu/ or Ask a Librarian (https://library.ucmerced.edu/about/contact/ask)

     

• Dean of Students: https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students

• Student Affairs: https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu

Personal Well-Being Resources:

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): https://counseling.ucmerced.edu/

Meetings can be held in-person or through zoom.

For inquiries or appointments, please call (209) 228-4266.

After-Hours Crisis Line: (209) 228-4266, option 1

• Health Services: https://health.ucmerced.edu/

• Basic Needs: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/   Email: basicneeds@ucmerced.edu

-CalFresh: Student staff is available to set up Zoom application assistance and presentations if needed. Students can email CalFreshoutreach@ucmerced.edu for any questions regarding the service.

-Bobcat Pantry: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support/bobcat-pantry

-USDA Food Distribution: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support/usda-food-distribution

-People's Fridge: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support/peoples-fridge

-Pop-Up People's Pantry: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support/pop-peoples-pantry

-No Food Left Behind & other Food Recovery Programs: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support/food-recovery-programs

• Housing and Residence Education: https://housing.ucmerced.edu/

• Dining Services: https://dining.ucmerced.edu/

• Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) Office: https://care.ucmerced.edu/ Prevention education and trauma-informed advocacy related to gender-based violence.

• Office of the OMBUDS: https://ombuds.ucmerced.edu/  -A safe, confidential, and informal space to talk and for conflict-resolution. To make an appointment, please call (209) 228-4410. Ombuds services are provided via phone, video chat, or in-person.

• Financial Wellness: https://financialwellness.ucmerced.edu/

• Student Accessibility Services (formerly Disability Services Program): https://access.ucmerced.edu/

• Health Promotion: https://healthpromotion.ucmerced.edu/

Academic Resources

• Calvin E. Bright Success Center: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/ Supporting students in their academic and personal development. The Calendar of Events can be found here: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/events
   
  • Learning Tools and Resources: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/resources
     
  • Bright Spot Video Logs: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/bright-spots-video-logs
     
  • Catcourses Tutorials: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/catcourses-tutorials
     
  • Mid-Semester Workshops: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/mid-semester-workshops
     
  • Online Workshops: https://learning.ucmerced.edu/learning-tools/online-workshops
     

    • 10 Tips for Success in Your Online Course

    • Effectively Communicating Online

    • Online Courses: Staying Motivated & Disciplined

    • Taking Tests Online: Strategies for Success

    • 10 Habits of Mind for College Success

    • Discover Your Learning Style

    • Emotional Intelligence: The Other Key to Academic Success

    • Exam Preparation Tips and Test-Taking Strategies

    • Handling Failure In & Out of the Classroom

    • Improving Student-Faculty Relationships

    • Overcoming Procrastination - Causes & Cures

    • Reading Comprehension Strategies

    • Study Tips and Note-Taking Strategies

    • Success Strategies for First Generation Students

    • Time Management - Strategies for Success

    • What it Takes to Be a Successful Student

       

• Academic Advising: https://advising.ucmerced.edu/who-my-academic-advisor Learn who your academic advisor is at UC Merced.
   
  • The Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) is for all first year students in every major, all lower division undeclared transfers, and all continuing undeclared students in any class year. After your first-year, once you have declared a major, your advisor will then reside in the School of your major, such as the School of Engineering, the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, or the School of Natural Sciences.
     
    • Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) Walk-In Advising: https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu/see-my-bac-academic-advisor/walk-advising
    • Bobcat Advising Center (BAC) Scheduling an Appointment: https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu/see-my-bac-academic-advisor/appointments
       

  • School of Engineering (SoE) Advising: http://engr-advising.ucmerced.edu/about

    -SoE Walk-In Advising: http://engr-advising.ucmerced.edu/see-my-advisor/walk-ins

    -SoE Scheduling an Appointment: http://engr-advising.ucmerced.edu/see-my-advisor/appointment
     

  • School of Natural Sciences (SNS) Advising: https://ns-advising.ucmerced.edu

    -SNS Walk-In Advising: https://ns-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor/advisor-walk-ins

    -SNS Scheduling an Appointment: https://ns-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor/advisor-appointments
     

  • School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA) Advising: https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu

    -SSHA Walk-in Advising: https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor/walk-in-hours

    -SSHA Scheduling an Appointment: https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor/advisor-appointments

• Information about Mid-Semester Grades (UC Merced Advising): https://advising.ucmerced.edu/student_information/mid_semester_grades
   
  • Mid-Semester Interventions for Student Success: https://teach.ucmerced.edu/mid-semester-interventions#prevention
     
  • Tips for Connecting with Your Instructor (Sucess Anywhere website): https://success.ucmerced.edu/mid-semester-grades
     
  • Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals: https://advising.ucmerced.edu/resources/smart-goals
     
  • MyDegreePath: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/mydegreepath MyDegreePath combines degree audits with academic planning.
     
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/SAP

• Summer Session: https://summersession.ucmerced.edu/

   

• Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) Tutoring: https://peertutors.com/ucmerced or e-mail pals@ucmerced.edu

• Campus Tutoring Resources: https://success.ucmerced.edu/tutoring
   
  • PLUS Center Group Sessions: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=ni5fo6go918oq8e70tqej43mu8@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles&pli=1
     
  • STEM Center Study Group Sessions: https://stemcenter.ucmerced.edu/academic-services/study-group-sessions

Professional/Career Resources: 

• Student Career Center: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/
   
  • Career Counseling: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/node/10
     
  • Career Assessments: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/career-assessments
     
  • Job and Internship Resources: https://studentjobs.ucmerced.edu
     

  • Iris Booth - Free Professional Portraits: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/students/iris-booth-free-professional-portraits

  • First Generation Career Conference: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/students/first-generation-career-conference

• Professional Clothing Closet: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/professional-clothing-closet

• Handshake: https://hire.ucmerced.edu/handshake A job portal.

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC): https://uroc.ucmerced.edu/ A resource center for students interested in doing or are currently involved in conducting undergraduate research at UC Merced.

Additional Resources: 

• Success Anywhere website: https://success.ucmerced.edu/
   
  • Academic Success Resources Catcourses site: https://catcourses.ucmerced.edu/courses/22642
     
  • UC Merced Academic Standing Policies (i.e. Progress-to-degree, etc.): https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=1794#ProbationDismissal

• GPA Calculator: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/grades/gpa-calculator
   
  • GPA Calculator Help: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/node/301
     
  • GPA Tutorial: https://ucmerced.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TPutGpPxv7q9VP

• Honors: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/honors

• School of Natural Sciences (SNS): https://naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu/

• School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA): https://ssha.ucmerced.edu/

• School of Engineering (SoE): https://engineering.ucmerced.edu/

• Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE): https://ue.ucmerced.edu/

   

• Graduate Division: https://graduatedivision.ucmerced.edu/

• Division of Equity, Justice, and Inclusive Excellence (EJIE): https://ejie.ucmerced.edu/

• Office of Student Involvement (OSI): https://studentinvolvement.ucmerced.edu/ Get involved on-campus!

-Campus Involvement Website

-Catlife: https://ucmerced.presence.io/ Learn about the various clubs and organizations on campus.

-Associated Students of UC Merced (ASUCM): https://asucm.ucmerced.edu/ Check out the undergraduate student government.

• Community Engagement Center: https://cec.ucmerced.edu/ Volunteer and give back to your local community.

• Office of Social Justice Initiatives and Identity Programs (OSJIIP): https://socialjustice.ucmerced.edu/

• Services for Undocumented Students: https://undoc.ucmerced.edu/

• Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center: https://studentleadership.ucmerced.edu/

• Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR): https://osrr.ucmerced.edu/

• Recreation and Athletics: https://recreation.ucmerced.edu/

• Office of Information Technology (OIT): https://it.ucmerced.edu/

-Technology Resources: https://ue.ucmerced.edu/student-resources/technology-resources

-UC Merced VPN Tutorial: https://it.ucmerced.edu/VPN-Installation-Guides (Can be used to access materials off-campus, such as the online UC Merced Library). 

-Laptop Loaner Program: https://ue.ucmerced.edu/loaner-laptop-program

    -Includes a personal wifi hotspot for students who don't have internet access at home. 

-Setting up a Zoom account: https://it.ucmerced.edu/Zoom

• Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS): https://taps.ucmerced.edu
  • Parking Permits: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/permits
  • CatTracks: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/transportation
  • CatCart Program: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/catcart-program
  • Bicycle Program: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/transportation/bicycle-program

     

• Merced County Transportation: https://www.countyofmerced.com/1499/Transportation
  • City of Merced The Bus: http://mercedthebus.com/220/UC---UC-Merced
  • Merced Amtrak: https://www.amtrak.com/stations/mcd
  • Merced Regional Airport: https://www.flymercedairport.com/

• Campus Safety: https://www.ucmerced.edu/news-tag/campus-safety

*Please note that this list of resources is not exhaustive nor does it represent an endorsement.