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2020 Expansion at UC Merced

What's being Built?

Since opening in 2005, UC Merced has advanced the UC system's rich heritage in a fast-growing region, improved levels of educational attainment and quality of life while conducting life-changing research into society’s most challenging problems.

With demand for the UC system increasing, development of new facilities is critical to UC Merced's success and to the University of California's ability to provide access to eligible students. The Merced 2020 Campus expansion represents a commitment by the State of California and the University of California to increase access to the UC System and to support a repidly growing region. The exansion project is a key element of Merced's vision.

The 1.2 million GSF project is being designed and built in three phases between 2018 and 2020. 

  • First Delivery (Fall 2018): 700 new on-campus student beds, a 600-seat multipurpose dining facility, new classrooms and 940 new parking spaces.
  • Second Delivery (Fall 2019): 150,800 assignable square feet in size and includes a new laboratory space with faculty offices, study space and arts related studios.
  • Substantial Completion (Fall 2020): 478,000 assignable square feet in size and includes a new wet-lab building with faculty offices and classrooms, 980 new beds in student housing, 630 new parking spaces, a conference center, a dedicated transit hub for buses, a new wellness center, an enrollment center, expansion of the existing Early Childhood Education Center, a swimming pool, three tennis courts and four basketball courts. 

Success for the University of California, Merced's campus expansion is not just defined by timely delivery of new facilities.  It is also measured by whether the facilities meet the long term academic, social and health related needs of Merced's students, faculty and staff.   

For more information, visit the Merced 2020 website for progress updates and developments.