Campus Safety

The inaugural UC Merced Safety Conference is an effort to bring nationally recognized subject matter experts to the San Joaquin Valley to share critical safety information, best practices, and the latest innovations in enhancing community and campus safety with conference attendees. The overall goal is to amplify and grow the resources within area communities to prepare, recognize and respond to safety concerns.

Just in time for the start of the academic year, UC Merced's newest landmark has opened —The Labyrinth.

Located in Kelley Grove overlooking Little Lake, UC Merced Art Director Collin Lewis calls The Labryinth "a testament to our university's commitment to fostering creativity, contemplation and community engagement."

As someone who has overcome many obstacles to get where he is now, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Public Safety and Chief of Police Chou Her understands the importance of uplifting his community.

Her's efforts to build a strong bond with the campus community and surrounding areas have not gone unnoticed as he has been awarded the prestigious Kevin McCauley Memorial Outstanding Staff Award.

The United States is implementing COVID-19 vaccine programs across the nation bringing hope for brighter days ahead. However, it also brings many questions.

UC Merced’s Director of Medical Education Dr. Thelma Hurd and staff physician Dr. Michelle Brinkop joined together to answer some common questions about the vaccines, so people can get their shots with confidence.

UC Merced is taking the necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of the campus community with the least amount of disruption to its mission of education, research and public service.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led the campus to implement social distancing by moving all classes to fully remote delivery. Classes are not cancelled. They will be delivered through online and remote platforms through the remainder of the spring semester.

The UC Merced Police Department and its student partners ventured off campus and into the local community to work alongside elementary students to improve their campus through the inaugural Beautification Project.

The project is one part of the UC Merced Police Department’s Trailblazers program, which affords officers and college students the chance to give back to the community by mentoring local students, providing positive role models and encouraging the pursuit of higher education. The mentorship program started in 2006.

Emergencies can come in many forms, from a burst pipe that causes a flood, to a major earthquake, to a threat of violence. No matter its character, Laura Rodriguez-Mascorro will make sure the campus is ready.

Rodriguez-Mascorro joined UC Merced in September as the campus’ first emergency manager, bringing with her years of experience with the police department at CSU Stanislaus.

Rodriguez-Mascorro’s skills and knowledge made her the ideal person to fill the new role, said UC Merced Chief of Police Chou Her.

The University of California, Merced, announced today (April 12) the appointment of Chou Her to chief of police, effective immediately.

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (

UC Merced was ahead of the curve in 2009, when it created the Violence Prevention Program to combat sexual violence, dating and domestic violence, and stalking on campus and in the community just four years after opening its doors to students.