The history of UC Merced dates back to 1988,when the UC Regents first authorized planningfor at least one additional campus based onprojections of long-range enrollment demand. From an initial review of more than 80 sites inthe San Joaquin Valley, 20 were initially advanced for additional study.
After a full environmental impact report, the
UC Board of Regents selected a site in eastern Merced County adjacent to Lake Yosemite Park as the location for the 10th campus of the University of California in May 1995.
Faculty members began to arrive in 2003 with graduate students in tow and began setting up research laboratories and programs.
The first graduate courses began in fall 2004. The campus celebrated its official grand opening and the arrival of the first class of undergraduate students on Sept. 5, 2005.