Jul 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

General Policies


 

Nondiscrimination

Website: ophd.ucmerced.edu

The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans. The nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in University programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) at ophd@ucmerced.edu.  


Sexual Harassment

Website: ophd.ucmerced.edu
Policy: policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH

The University of California Merced (“University”) is committed to maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all people who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other behavior prohibited by this Policy interfere with those goals.

The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of such conduct in accordance with the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy (“SVSH Policy”). This includes action to stop, prevent, correct, and, when necessary, discipline behavior that violates the SVSH Policy. The SVSH Policy addresses the University’s responsibilities and procedures related to sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other prohibited behavior (“Prohibited Conduct”) to ensure an equitable and inclusive education and employment environment. The SVSH Policy defines Prohibited Conduct and explains the administrative procedures the University uses to resolve reports of Prohibited Conduct.

Inquiries regarding the SVSH Policy may be directed to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) at ophd@ucmerced.edu.  

Note on Federal Regulations: The Title IX regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”) that went into effect August 14, 2020, require the University to follow a specific grievance process (“DOE Grievance Process”) in response to conduct covered by the regulations (“DOE-Covered Conduct”). The SVSH Policy is more expansive than the regulations with the Prohibited Conduct (described in Section II) definitions and its coverage (described in Section III.B). In response to DOE-Covered Conduct, the University will apply the DOE Grievance Process only when required. It will follow its existing processes for all other reports. Appendix IV to the SVSH Policy describes how the University will determine whether it must apply the DOE Grievance Process.


Clery Act and Crime Statistics

UC Merced’s annual security report offers information about our police department, campus crime statistics and a wealth of information about safety and security. It can be found at police.ucmerced.edu or learn more about UC Merced’s annual crime statistics at ope.ed.gov/campussafety.


Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Website: ecar.ucmerced.edu/daapp

UC Merced is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive learning and working environment for students and employees. The university takes seriously and understands its obligation to inform the campus community of available resources and support, as well as the educational, disciplinary, health, and legal consequences of abuse of alcohol and illegal drug use for the benefit of the UC Merced community, and in compliance with relevant federal and state law.  UC Merced’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs (DAAPP) are intended to support student and employee health, safety and security by increasing awareness, preventing abuse, and decreasing potential drug and alcohol related crime. 


Policy on Prohibition of Abusive Conduct

Website: policies.ucmerced.edu

The University of California, Merced is dedicated to maintaining a respectful workplace environment that is free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, bullying or any behavior that a “reasonable person” would find abusive. Accordingly, under this policy, employees are prohibited from engaging in violent, threatening, or other behavior that a “reasonable person” would find abusive. 


Universal Requirements for Physical Mitigation and Reduction of the Transmission of COVID-19

This interim policy sets forth universal requirements applicable to all campus affiliates and non-affiliates for physical mitigation and reduction of the transmission of COVID-19 at UC Merced facilities, including, but not limited to the main and downtown campuses, Promenade, Fresno Center, Castle, and all field stations, reserves and other remote research locations. This policy applies to all staff, faculty, students, volunteers and non-affiliates entering or physically present on University property and facilities controlled by the Merced campus. Non-affiliates include, but are not limited to vendors, service providers, suppliers, and visitors and guests. More information can be found here: policies.ucmerced.edu/sites/policies.ucmerced.edu/files/documents/policies/interim_policy_on_physical_mitigation_and_reduction.pdf


Catalog Information

This catalog contains information about UC Merced. Because the UC Merced catalog must be prepared well in advance of the year it covers, changes in some programs and courses inevitably will occur. The selection of courses to be offered each semester is subject to change without notice, and some courses are not offered each year. The Schedule of Classes, available on the Web shortly before registration begins, provides more current information on courses, instructors, enrollment procedures and restrictions, class hours, room assignments, and final examination schedules. Students should consult the appropriate school or campus unit for even more up-to-date information. It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the announcements and regulations of the university that are printed in this catalog and other campus publications. The catalog is the document of record for degree requirements and is updated every year.