The LGBTQ+ Pride Center encourages the broader UC Merced community to support our LGBTQ+ family. We also provide a number of resources for our LGBTQ+ community and aspiring allies. Whether your looking for something on campus, locally or resources nationally, we provide an extensive resource list covering a number of topics.
SJIIP Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Grant
The Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs (SJIIP) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Grant is an opportunity for recognized multicultural student clubs and organizations the opportunity to apply for funding on initiatives addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion/social justice. These grants are available for all registered multicultural clubs and organizations (MRCO) in good standing with the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) or communities that are partnered with MRCO. The EDI Grants for Multicultural RCO Collaboration contributes to student success by designing opportunities to create a sense of belonging, build community, develop critical thinking skills, learn about the impact of assessment on creating meaningful programs and initiates, and gain valuable skill regarding grant writing development.
Apply for a SJIIP EDI Grant!!
LGBTQ+ Specific
The purpose of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, within the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs, is to affirm the unique lives, identities and intersectionalities of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Intersex, Pansexual, Omnisexual, same gender loving people and ally students, and faculty and staff members. We encourage a supportive and inclusive environment by providing education, outreach and advocacy opportunities that assist our LGBTQ+ and ally students and faculty and staff members to achieve personal and academic excellence.
Email: lgbtq@ucmerced.edu
Phone: 209.228.2250
Office: KL 167A
Queer and Trans People of Color at UC Merced (QTPOC) is a safe and welcoming community for queer and trans people of color at UC Merced and the Merced community. QTPOC aims to celebrate and advocate for the intersecting identities and experiences.
Email: ucmqtpoc@gmail.com
Lambda Alliance is a safe space for queer and trans individuals to be themselves and utilize it as needed. As a registered club and organization, we celebrate the intersectionality of queer and trans identity. In doing so, we advocate against oppressions to build towards queer and trans liberation. We also provide the tools for straight and cisgender allies to advocate alongside the queer and trans community. We strengthen community partly by hosting social events and promoting learning opportunities. We recognize that individuals are at different moments in coming out to themselves and hope to support them in their journey.
Email: LambdaAlliance@ucmerced.edu
Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Queer Issues, CACQI
LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion (CCCI), works to identify institutional, structural, and cultural initiatives that advances the UC Merced campus climate for the LGBTQ2IA2 and expanding community. The advisory committee advocates on campus on behalf of the LGBTQ2IA2 community for participation, success, and visibility across multiple dimensions of inequality including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, ability, veteran, marital and familial status. The Committee will operate under a shared governance model, intentionally including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, senate and non-senate faculty and staff members.
Email: cacqi@ucmerced.edu
The Queer All Program is a program which identifies students, faculty and staff members who will provide empathy, acceptance, support and resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex students and all forms of gender expression. Individuals have a right to their opinion; however, if someone is stating myths or misinformation about gender and sexual diversity, Queer Ally Program members will provide more accurate information in a respectful manner.
Email: queerally@ucmerced.edu
Campus
We understand that Basic Needs has a direct impact on the mental-emotional-physical health, wellness, academic performance, professional development, and holistic success of our students.
The quality of life of our students has a major impact on their sense of belonging, persistence, graduation rate, and overall experience. Therefore, we refuse to accept hunger, malnourishment, and homelessness as part of our university.
- Bavneet Kaur, Assistant Director
- Email: bkaur23@ucmerced.edu
- Phone: 209.631.3871
Office: KL 184
Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE)
The Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) Office provides response to and education about gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. The CARE Office serves all individuals affiliated with UC Merced including students, staff, and faculty members.
- Yessenia Curiel, Program Director
- Email: ycuriel2@ucmerced.edu
- 209.233.1746
- Lynna Cano, Campus Advocate
- 209.386.2051
- Valara Villanueva, Prevention Education Coordinator
- 209.355.0763
Office: KL 107
Cat Cops (UC Merced Police Department)
The UC Merced Police Department serves the UC Merced community and associated university property 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The department is a full-service agency.
- Police Services
- Emergency Management
Our police officers, public safety dispatchers, community service officers, student volunteers, support staff and managers provide innovative and caring professional service to the community. Services include but are not limited to notifying first responders to reports violence on campus, RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) training for students, faculty and staff, and Safety Escorts.
Email: police@ucmerced.edu
Phone: 209.CAT.COPS (228.2677)
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services exists to support each student’s academic pursuit by providing professional services that care for the emotional, personal and social wellbeing of students.
Email: counseling@ucmerced.edu
Phone: 209.228.4266
Office: CAPS offices are located on the first floor of the H. Rajender Reddy Health Center attached to the Joseph. E. Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center
WE ADVOCATE. WE CONNECT. WE CARE.
The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at the University of California, Merced is a unit under the Division of Student Affairs that holistically promotes student development and advocates for student success through intentional programs and initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and policy/procedural development that enhance campus climate and facilitates the successful navigation of campus life. Utilizing a social justice orientation rooted in community cultural wealth, criticalness, collaboration, accountability, and care, the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students is a central space for students, parents, staff, and faculty to receive assistance with navigating the complexity of student life. The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students supports the University’s mission and values while placing students first in all endeavors.
- Jonathan Grady, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students
- Best way to contact – jgrady2@ucmerced.edu
- Best way to schedule a meeting - Click the button below
- Platforms for meetings – Zoom & Phone
- Office Number 209.228.4482
- Armando Contreras, M.A.Ed., Assistant Dean of Students
- Best way to contact – acontreras39@ucmerced.edu
- Best way to schedule a meeting - Click the button below
- Platforms for meetings – Zoom & Phone
- Office Number 209.228.4482
- Emily Alpert, Administrative Assistant
- Best way to contact – ealpert@ucmerced.edu
- Office Number 209.228.4482
Student Accessibility Services
The mission of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to promote equal educational access and full participation by and for students with disabilities in the rich academic and campus life environment at UC Merced.
Phone: 209.228.6996
Office: 222 Kolligian Library
Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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- Dania Matos
- Deserie Cravalho-Crews
Office of Social Justice Initiatives
The Office of Social Justice. Initiatives & Identity Programs (SJIIP) aims to enhance the retention of our historically-underserved scholars and to foster an inclusive campus environment for all by providing opportunities for holistic development, intersectional community building, and student agency.
Office: KL 167
- Onar Primitivo, Director
- Best way to contact: oprimitivo@ucmerced.edu
- Phone:
- Lorene Fisher, Program Coordinator
- Best way to contact: lfisher3@ucmerced.edu
- Angi Baxter, LGBTQ+ Initiatives Coordinator
- Best way to contact: abaxter3@ucmercd.edu
- Phone: 209.228.2250
The mission of the Student Health Services is to help each student strive for maximum physical and emotional health while pursuing their academic and personal goals at UC Merced. Student Health Services is committed to providing the highest quality primary health care, in combination with health education and wellness promotion through caring, accessible and affordable services.
Email: health@ucmerced.edu
Phone: 209.228.2273
Office: Recreation and Wellness Building, Second Floor
Women's Programs, within the Office of Social Justice Initiatives &. Identity Programs, provides opportunities for the UC Merced community to learn, grow and reinforce the leadership and well-being of womxn. Through a continuous examination of power, privilege and the intersections of identity, Women’s Programs establishes a network of support and advocates for the positive educational and co-curricular experiences for all members of the UC Merced community while maintaining a specific focus on gender and womxn.
Email: womensprograms@ucmerced.edu
Office. : KL 167
Merced Area
The Merced LGBTQ+ Alliance exists to contribute to and enrich the cultural life and expression of LGBTQ+ persons, their families, friends, and supporters through awareness and education of the diversity and history of the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Valley.
Email: info@mercedlgbtq.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedlgbtq/
California
California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network
The California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network is an LGBTQ-specific program of Health Access, bringing together more than 60 non-profit providers, community centers, and researchers to advocate collectively for state level policies and resources that will advance LGBTQ health. Founded in 2007, the Network provides coordinated leadership about LGBTQ health policy in a proactive, responsive manner that promotes health and well-being as part of the movement for LGBTQ equality, and ensures that there is a distinct LGBTQ voice in health policy decision-making venues.
Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve.
3701 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 725
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 323.848.9801
Fax: 323.848.9246
Transgender Law Center changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.
