UCR Newsroom

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) -- Two months ago, as students returned to classes at the University of California, Riverside, they were greeted by bright yellow banners. In a move befitting California’s most ethnically diverse campus, each banner included the word, “Welcome,” written in ten different languages.

But UCR’s diversity extends far beyond ethnicity. In recent years, the school has become increasingly attractive to students from many underrepresented and non-traditional populations, including homeschooled students, military veterans, disabled students, commuters, and members of the gay and transgendered communities, just to name a few.

The last day to apply for Fall ’09 enrollment is this Sunday, Nov. 30.

According to UCR Admissions Director Merlyn Campos, the mix of students from such disparate backgrounds makes for, “an extraordinarily rich and friendly campus environment.”

In many cases, UC Riverside has been a pioneer in providing support to certain populations. For instance, UCR was one of the first major universities to actively recruit home-schooled and nontraditionally educated students.

“Regardless of their background, we want our students to feel at home,” adds Dean of Students Susan Allen Ortega. “So we’ve created a support system that does just that. From our ethnic and gender program offices to C.A.R. – the Commuters at Riverside student organization -- to Student Special Services which handles everything from services for students with disabilities to veterans’ educational benefits.”

With a new Chancellor now on board and the university’s 55th anniversary right around the corner, spirits are high at the Riverside campus. Freshman enrollment is up 18.6% over last year. New facilities and construction are visible all across campus. A new school of medicine is on the way. And U.S. News and World Report recently called UCR one of the top ten “up and coming” schools in America.

“UC Riverside is an exclusive university with high academic standards. But we also have a very welcoming atmosphere,” says Campos. “And that’s something every student can appreciate.”

The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment of over 19,000 is expected to grow to 21,000 students by 2020. The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion.

A broadcast studio with fiber cable to the AT&T Hollywood hub is available for live or taped interviews. To learn more, call (951) UCR-NEWS.