The
history of the University
of California, Merced dates back to 1988,
when the UC
Regents first authorized planning for at least
one additional campus based on projections of
long-range enrollment demand. From an initial
review of more than 80 sites in the San Joaquin
Valley, 20 were initially advanced for additional
study.
The
Merced community actively mobilized to attract
UC Merced and was successful in making the case
for the first new American research university
built in the 21st century. UC Merced is the 10th
campus of the prestigious University of California
system and is a very diverse university that is
committed to those ideals that serve the state,
nation and world through, research, education
and public service.
The campus opened
on September 5th, 2005. In 2012, UC Merced had
over 5,500 undergraduate and graduate students.
These students are conducting some of the most
cutting-edge research of our time, including stem
cells, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.