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.