UC Mercd Magazine-Volume XVI, Issue 2

STATE BUDGET

Supports UC Merced Growth

The state budget passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in summer 2022 promises tens of millions of dollars for UC Merced to build the next generation of world-class programs and facilities. The budget appropriates new funding for campus expansion, climate-related initiatives, the university's Community and Labor Center and a potential housing partnership. "These new allocations will help UC Merced and our community move even more boldly forward," said Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. "We owe a great deal to $VVHPEO\PHPEHU $GDP *UD\ 6HQ b $QQD &DEDOOHUR Assemblymember Jose Medina and others for their tremendous advocacy for our students, faculty and researchers during the budget process, and of course to *RY b 1HZVRP ZKR KDV EHHQ D VWHDGIDVW VXSSRUWHU RI this university." The chancellor also praised UC Merced faculty and staff, foundation trustees, alumni and students "who, working with colleagues and peers across the UC system, helped to keep the story of our mission and our successes in front of state leaders." Detailed allocations toUCMerced include: • $31.5 million this year for campus expansion projects, with the legislature promising to allocate the same amount in the 2023 and 2024 budgets, for a total of $94.5 million over three years. • $18 million in funding for climate initiatives, and access to $100 million in seed and matching grants available across the University of California system. • $3 million in ongoing funding for the Community and Labor Center, UC Merced's newest organized research unit. • $564,000, in a budget trailer bill, for a housing planning grant in coordination with Merced College. "We are tremendously appreciative of this influx of capital with which our faculty and students will tackle big research challenges, especially in the critical area of climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, and wildfire and drought modeling andmanagement," said InterimVice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Marjorie Zatz.

California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, top, and 6HFUHWDU\ RI /DERU DQG :RUNIRUFH 'HYHORSPHQW 1DWDOLH 3DOXJ\DL ZHUH among officials coming to Merced to hear from faculty experts.

Labor Center Funding Particularly benefiting from the 2022-23 state budget is UC Merced’s newest Organized Research Unit, the Community and Labor Center (CLC). The budget included $13 million to fund research, education and public engagement on labor issues throughout the UC. The allocation, which will be ongoing in future state budgets, represents the single largest budget increase to UC labor centers since their establishment in 1964. The CLC has quickly established expertise on issues related to immigration, workplace health and safety, and high road economic development. The funding comes at a crucial time for a region facing a public health crisis and climate change. "Valley workers are on the frontlines of global economic and environmental challenges," said Ana Padilla, CLC executive director. "The expansion of labor centers and labor studies within the University of California will advance the university's public-serving mission across California's diverse regions." 5HFHQW &/& UHVHDUFK KDV IRFXVHG RQb&29,' VSUHDGbLQ counties with large and low-wage households, the need IRU XQHPSOR\PHQW EHQHILWV DPRQJb &DOLIRUQLD XQGRFXPHQWHG LPPLJUDQWVb DQG WKH UHJLRQ V ODUJHVW UHSUHVHQWDWLYH VXUYH\ RQ LVVXHV VXFK DVbFOLPDWH FKDQJH

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