Anything change much at Merced?

raiderfan4eva · 01-10-2009, 12:48 AM

Its been a while since a student has put his/her perspective on anything at Merced...
has the school gotten any better? how bout the food? the girls? student body in general? social life? anything good at all? lol...
Did all those people who were talking about transferring to other colleges/universities (in other threads) transfer yet? if so where to? and do you like it better there?
Did any of you current freshman i saw on this thread last year wind up liking UCM...
how are those leadership opportunities?

anything at all about the school?
tryna get this place bumpin again...
getting curious about UCM's progression

UCMrcdStdnt11 · 01-10-2009, 01:24 AM

UCM has come a long way since its beginning in 2005 and is currently making progress...

They recently started building new dorms which will compensate for the 200 freshmen left without housing for the 2008-2009 school year and also provide rooms for many of the freshmen admitted for 2009-2010 school year.

The new dining commons has been put to good use and looks amazing. However, the quality of food and service is still lacking.

Greek Life has officially begun. Currently, there is Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Chi, and Delta Gamma for sororities. For fraternities, Alpha Sigma Chi Omega and Sigma Alpha Epsilon are now becoming active on campus.

As a current sophomore with a 3.6 cumulative gpa, I am excited about the opportunities at UCM and do not plan on transferring. I would argue that the coursework is not as easy as many people say it is.

The parking situation was really bad for awhile (many students' cars were swimming in clay, mud, and rocks during the rainy season), but the new parking lot recently opened before the winter break.

Leadership opportunities are abundant on campus, you just need to get involved. Start a club, participate in intramurals, or run for ASUCM. UC Merced provides many other ways to kill your time (not including coursework).

Due to the fact that I am a girl, I don't have much to say about that topic.

Socially, UC Merced has grown quite a bit. However, due to the tragic death of two students and the size and "infancy" of UCM, there has been a lot of caution exercised in throwing off campus parties, many of which are broken up within an hour or two.

raiderfan4eva · 01-10-2009, 01:39 AM

Thanks for the quick response UCMrcdStdnt

"Due to the fact that I am a girl, I don't have much to say about that topic."
would you like to speak on part about the guys?

Does the Greek system at UCM have houses?

"tragic death of two students"
what do you mean?
what happened?
i feel so bad for not knowing anything about this?

UCMrcdStdnt11 · 01-10-2009, 01:56 AM

Haha. Every school has their pros and cons. In my opinion, looks...is a con for UC Merced. I mean, don't get me wrong...we are not all repulsive, but many of us didn't come to UCM to play sports or join the Greek system. Therefore, you don't see jocks or the "stereotypical" sorority girls on campus.

As a founding member of Delta Delta Delta, I have been told that Greek Housing will not begin for a few years. Primarily, Greek Housing will not begin until UC Merced is ready to build it. Sorority and Fraternity housing must be built from the ground up because it must be able to house a minimum of 30-60 women / men, which can be very expensive and take quite some time. They are estimating that Greek Housing will begin in Fall of 2011 and will be located down Lake Road.

A couple of years ago an underaged student passed away suddenly after consuming alcohol at an off-campus party and suffering a head injury after returning to campus. Very recently, a freshman at UCM died off-campus after being hit by a train. Both tragic incidents have caused local media to focus on UCM's alcohol awareness and education. Therefore, UCM parties have been exercising more caution and many of the larger parties are easily broken up by police after less than an hour or two.

raiderfan4eva · 01-10-2009, 02:15 AM

A FREAKING TRAIN! wth.... wow... that sounds hardcore...

You seem like a pretty active person in the school...
will you be around to see that new (Greek) housing in 2011?

i hope some more people see this thread : ( lol

UCMrcdStdnt11 · 01-12-2009, 06:04 PM

yeah...the accident was really sad...especially since he was only a freshman.

and yes, i consider myself to be pretty active. it helps to keep me busy.

and i will be graduating in spring of 2011. haha.
its ironic, really...all those who set up the greek system at UCM will be leaving just before the housing is built. i guess that is what is sooo amazing about UC Merced right now tho. we get to start the clubs, establish the traditions, and build the community...
and then watch it grow after we leave.

raiderfan4eva · 01-12-2009, 07:26 PM

So then I assume you plan on being involved in UCM after you graduate?
just out of curiosity, how many undergrads do you think their will be attending by the time you graduate?

only a freshman... thats harsh...

whats there to do outside of UCM, like in the Merced area? i hear from many it's a very boring place, but how boring exactly?

UCMrcdStdnt11 · 01-12-2009, 11:58 PM

hmm...i havent really thought about my involvement after i graduate.

and just to clarify, i meant only a freshman as in age, not in "status". he was so young and just beginning in life on his own.

and i have to admit, Merced is pretty boring.
movie theaters, bowling (in atwater), partying, and the tiny mall. thats pretty much it.

raiderfan4eva · 01-13-2009, 12:32 AM

Hahah, so what do you do to keep from growing insane... assuming that hasn't already happened!

Thats like the only thing that scares me out of going to UCM! i was hoping by the time i got in (im a jr. in hs) there would be a much bigger incoming class... especially due to America's financial crisis, some people I'm sure would have to go cost effective and goto a state university...

UCMrcdStdnt11 · 01-13-2009, 01:56 AM

well, me and my friends have gone to yosemite a few times...and there is always modesto and fresno to keep you busy.
idk...be creative? for example, my boyfriend and i once had a date at the 99 cent store. we found the weirdest things and bought them...such as a cracker container (purpose: to prevent broken crackers?) and a pink doo-rag. it was quite entertaining.
haha. or maybe we have already gone insane...

anyways, ive mainly kept busy.
as long as you can prevent partying from consuming your free time, the bonus of a boring town is better grades, and not to mention more extracurriculars to put on your resume.

raiderfan4eva · 01-13-2009, 05:30 PM

LMFAO... thats so funny!

i certainly hope UCM doesn't become the next UCR... though i can't seem to find a reason why everyone hates UCR...

can you give a little scoop on construction projects that are currently going on, and those that are soon to come?

Cali Trumpet · 01-14-2009, 07:24 PM

There are just a lot of stuck up cali kids on these boards. That is why "everyone hates UCR." If you go to a UC, you are golden.

fusionall · 01-18-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

can you give a little scoop on construction projects that are currently going on, and those that are soon to come?

Just for background purposes, I am a freshman here at UCM.

Currently, there is a business and management building being put up as well as a medical school. Also, there are some new dorms being built, as mentioned earlier.

I believe people take a disliking toward UCR because its been around for 50+ years and yet still has not managed to shake its terrible reputation. However, I agree with Cali Trumpet. Going to a UC is already an accomplishment in and of itself.

Oh, and as for the girls, let's put it this way.

2/10 are really attractive
3/10 are average
5/10 leave something else to be desired.

I hope this helped. Feel free to ask any more questions. I would be more than happy to give you a freshman perspective of things here at UCM.