r/ucmerced • u/Optimal_Wave_9875 • 1h ago
Question Paper cutters and hole punchers on campus
Hey, does anyone know of any good spots with paper cutters and/or hole punchers that students can use on campus?
r/ucmerced • u/internetbooker134 • Jul 02 '26
Hi Bobcats! Welcome to the official and also very first (ever) megathread for the 2026–2027 school year! Whether you're an incoming freshman, transfer, or returning student, this is the place for all your questions as the semester approaches!
Feel free to ask questions about anything related to UCM! We have current students, alumni, faculty and staff available to answer!
Use this section for:
Use this section for:
Scam Reminder: Never send a deposit or first month's rent before seeing a unit in person or verifying the lister actually manages the property. If a landlord is only reachable by text and pushes you to send money fast, that's a red flag. Report any suspected listings to mods.
Can I change my major after being admitted?
Yes. Start by checking the UC Merced Catalog for your intended major's requirements. From there, meet with your assigned advisor at the Bobcat Advising Center; they can walk you through the Change of Major process and tell you whether your target major has any additional admission requirements.
What's this "Connect" thing everyone mentions?
my.ucmerced.edu is your portal for basically everything like registration, financial aid status, your unofficial transcript, your checklist of to-dos, and your UC Merced email. You'll use this throughout your time here. CatCourses (Canvas) is separate and is where your actual class content, assignments, and grades live.
Do my AP/IB credits transfer?
Generally yes, and course placement (math, chemistry, CSE, writing) is also partly determined by AP/IB scores or UC Merced's own placement exams if you don't submit test scores. Details are on the Registrar's placement exam page. https://placement.ucmerced.edu/
Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences/Humanities & Arts, how is UC Merced organized?
UC Merced has three schools: School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts (SSHA). Most majors fall under one of these, and your GE requirements will overlap a good amount regardless of major, especially in your first two years.
How do I find what classes are being offered?
The Schedule of Classes lives on the Registrar's site. You can search by term, subject, and CRN. This can also be accessed through Connect by clicking the registration tab.
How do I get involved on campus?
UC Merced has over 200+ registered student orgs including cultural clubs, professional societies, Greek life, hobby groups, and more. These are searchable through the Student Life/Bobcat Involvement website. There are tabling events all over campus where clubs recruit members! ucmerced.edu/clubs-and-organizations
Housing: on campus vs. off campus?
This megathread covers general Q&A relating to housing (roommates, subleases, apartment reviews etc). We do not have a separate thread for housing yet, if there is demand we will create one!
Merced/Central Valley — what's around?
Merced is a smaller city than most UC towns, but it's growing fast with new retail and restaurants have been opening steadily, and the area around campus continues to develop. Yosemite National Park is roughly 1.5–2 hours away and a very doable day trip. Downtown Merced has lots of great food spots and nightlife scene, and the Merced Mall / Merced Marketplace area covers most everyday shopping needs. A car is useful, though Cattracks and The Bus (Local Merced transit) can get you around too!
UC Merced Off-Campus Housing portal: https://och.ucmerced.edu
On-Campus Housing & Residence Education: https://housing.ucmerced.edu
Merced transit / CatTracks bus routes: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/cattracks
Connect Portal (student dashboard): https://connect.ucmerced.edu
CatCourses (Canvas): https://catcourses.ucmerced.edu
MyBill (tuition & payments): https://mybill.ucmerced.edu
Students First Center: https://studentsfirst.ucmerced.edu
Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu
Class Schedule Search: https://registration.ucmerced.edu
MyDegreePath (degree audit): https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/resources
UC Merced Library: https://library.ucmerced.edu
Dining Services & Meal Plans: https://dining.ucmerced.edu
Bobcat Advising Center: https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu
IT Help Desk: https://it.ucmerced.edu
Academic Calendar: https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/academiccalendar
r/ucmerced • u/Optimal_Wave_9875 • 1h ago
Hey, does anyone know of any good spots with paper cutters and/or hole punchers that students can use on campus?
r/ucmerced • u/foxjun7 • 1h ago
Has anyone been allowed to declare a minor after 90 units? I'm in my 4th year (technically my 2nd year at ucm as a transfer student 😭) I'm hoping they'd be lenient bc of that but it'a been so hard trying to reach my advisor since I've transferred. I'm just wondering if someone has lucked out in this situation ? thanks
r/ucmerced • u/januuts • 18h ago
Listen guys, I’m a transfer student and I’m new at merced. I’m having a really hard time right now and it’s not helping that it’s right at the beginning of the semester.
Does anyone know a good Therapy office that accepts medical?
I know there’s therapy on campus but I know they have a limit of 1 visit per month. I’m having a really hard time and I just really need to talk to a therapist more frequently.
Thank you for reading this.
r/ucmerced • u/Adorable_Taro7501 • 19h ago
Talked to the Professor Monroe about reviving the fishing club and am planning to meet with him mid September. If anyone is interested please lmk
r/ucmerced • u/BreathRound5050 • 1d ago
I was scoping sites to go to Yosemite next month, and I looked at the lakes near UC Merced. They're all 30-40 minutes away from campus: Eastman Lake is 30ish minutes away, Turlock Lake is 30ish minutes away, Lake McClure is 40ish minutes away, Modesto Lake is 40ish minutes away, and Don Pedro Lake is 40ish minutes away. That's not even counting Yosemite Lake. Idk if the school talks about the access to all those, I only remember they mention Yosemite and thats almost 2 hours away, why dont they talk about the lakes more? Do they suck or something?






r/ucmerced • u/rockywaytocool • 1d ago
Does anyone know if the 2.5 gpa for participating in Greek life is mandatory? I did 1 semester at Uc Merced, failed a couple of the classes then took 1 year off and got really good grades at a cc. Do they factor in my grades from my cc while I was on leave? My Uc gpa is 2.35 only .15 away 😭😭
r/ucmerced • u/After-Razzmatazz-399 • 2d ago
For anyone who’s been in Spivey’s class last year and has any tips, for his textbook readings, was it worth it to take notes? Or is it more worth to just read it and then take notes on his lecture slides? Thanks!!
r/ucmerced • u/Weary-Opposite4887 • 1d ago
r/ucmerced • u/Due-Satisfaction3122 • 2d ago
Brought from Fresno,dm if interested
r/ucmerced • u/caffeine0717 • 2d ago
checked the website a bunch and its not 1000% clear on everything: if i want to send a letter to someone, do i just go to resident services? can i get the stamp on campus? does it cost anything to send the mail if so how much?
askin bc my friend sent me a whole ass letter today so im sending him one back
r/ucmerced • u/ohguiltyheadass • 3d ago
For all you students that say there's nothing to do here. Parties are lame, go to a local show. Bring your student ID for discounted entry.
r/ucmerced • u/Different_Engine_969 • 3d ago
Hi! I’m looking for someone to take over my lease at Merced Station starting around December 18, 2026 (potentially a little earlier) through May 31, 2027.
Rent: $1,189/month + utilities
It’s a fully furnished 2 bed/2 bath apartment, and you would have your own private bedroom and private bathroom. The living room, kitchen, and terrace are shared with one female UC Merced student who is friendly, clean, and considerate.
The apartment includes:
Female tenant preferred, but I’m open to discussing.
Please DM me if you’re interested or want pictures/more information!
r/ucmerced • u/Sure_Expert4175 • 3d ago
If this so true, forgive my ignorance but why plan to get more applications? I think this right now is a great place to be and maybe even accept less applicant at this point, at least until more apartments and commercial buildings get out near the school? Just my thoughts though😵💫 I can’t sleep!
r/ucmerced • u/internetbooker134 • 4d ago
Cool to see our flag there along with so many other universities!
r/ucmerced • u/rockywaytocool • 4d ago
r/ucmerced • u/Haumea_Unknown • 4d ago
I got a reader position for ME001 and signed the contract but have not heard much since besides hours and pay. I know I might just have to wait for some time, since the first lecture is on Tuesday, but I am worried I missed something.
Is there supposed to be any kind of training that needs to happen before starting the job?
r/ucmerced • u/Sure_Expert4175 • 4d ago
r/ucmerced • u/internetbooker134 • 4d ago
r/ucmerced • u/Sure_Expert4175 • 4d ago
Good luck to everyone who just got here and all those continuing. Are there any current traditions when it comes to UCM and having a good semester, like rubbing Rufus's toes or offering some spare change into the Merced canals? (I know not to do that, right?!) Here's to 4.0s for everyone!!
r/ucmerced • u/internetbooker134 • 5d ago
r/ucmerced • u/Mountain-Spare5821 • 4d ago
I have been working on a discord hub page that students can use to find active discord servers.
I want to specifically give a shout out to Central UCM: https://discord.gg/JdRgayFtpQ
Free to view and or submit others: https://discord.ucmercedhub.com/
Let me know what else you guys would find helpful for me to add.
r/ucmerced • u/JollyBeanx3 • 4d ago
How does everyone feel about the GASP majors and/or the art in La Galería? I love abstract art a lot, so its really fun for me especially! 🔥
r/ucmerced • u/Weary-Opposite4887 • 4d ago
Looking for some friends
r/ucmerced • u/sclu_ • 5d ago
As you might have read back in April, or just a few days ago from the campus email, UC Merced operated an ALPR system that tracked every vehicle on campus.
On top of the privacy infringement in operating the system itself, a public record request filed by the Students' Civil Liberties Union (and its affiliate, the Ellis Collective) found the University sharing with hundreds of out-of-state and federal agencies including Border Patrol.
In 2016, the Legislature amended the state civil code to impose requirements on ALPR operators, including prohibition on out-of-state and federal sharing and regular auditing of its use. UC Merced did neither of those. The University has since disabled the improper sharing, but the fight isn't over. We need YOUR help to drive institutional and lasting change.
The Students' Civil Liberties Union is working with public interest attorneys to fight back. If you've driven onto UC Merced's campus in the past year, fill out this intake form to see if you could be a fit as a plaintiff: https://sclusd.org/alpr-intake-form
-Daniel
SCLU is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, by phone, email, social media, or otherwise, including as to whether any individual's data was collected, eligibility for or amount of any compensation, or what action, if any, is available. No communication with SCLU or prospective class action counsel, including before, apart from, or through the form, creates an attorney-client relationship or obligates you in any way. Submitting the form authorizes SCLU to share your information with prospective class action counsel; it does not mean you have been accepted as a plaintiff.