April 27, 2009

William Shakespeare once said, “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.”  That spring spirit is certain to last through May on our campus, with Senior Spring in full swing, our brand-new Conrad Prebys Music Center on the verge of opening and thousands of UC San Diego seniors and graduate students preparing for commencement.  At the same time, thousands of high school seniors and transfer students are looking forward to their arrival at UC San Diego in the fall.

Welcome, New Students
After receiving more than 47,000 applications – the third highest application rate in the University of California system – we offered admission to 16,863 students for the fall quarter, fewer offers than last year.  The university was asked to reduce next year’s enrollment of freshmen by 520 students due to budget constraints and a larger than expected freshman class from the previous year.  We expect roughly 3,775 freshmen on campus this fall, a decrease of about 10 percent from last year.  Overall, we were very impressed with this year’s applicants.  In fact, the mean grade point average for our admitted students is 4.08 and the most popular majors chosen by this class are biology, chemistry, bioengineering, economics, and mechanical and aerospace engineering.  We’re pleased to see a diverse range of disciplines represented, and we want to ensure a diverse campus for our students.  Many of our senior leaders have been calling our newly admitted students, including those from underserved and underrepresented communities, to promote the benefits of attending UC San Diego and obtaining a world-class education here.  We have so much to offer our students, including a unique six-college system within the framework of a major research university, opportunities for undergraduate research and study abroad, more than 400 diverse student organizations and a wide range of sports for students at all levels. 

New Housing for Transfer Students
Our new transfer students will have the benefit of living in new housing on campus.  We expect a class of 1,920 transfer students in the fall, after receiving more than 11,500 applications.  Over the last several months, we’ve been constructing The Village at Torrey Pines housing complex for our transfer students on the north side of campus.  The first phase of construction will be completed by fall, adding more than 1,000 new beds.  This will mark the first time we’ve provided campus housing specifically for transfer students.  Our goal is to create a complete community.  Phase two of The Village at Torrey Pines, which breaks ground in May, will add a new café, bookstore and another 800 beds.  In addition, the entire project was designed and is being constructed with sustainability in mind.  The community features sustainable building materials and landscape design, low-flow plumbing, shading for the building, energy efficient lighting and green interior finishes including flooring and paint.  The apartments also feature modern amenities and a sleek design – and many have ocean views.  For more information on The Village at Torrey Pines, click here.

Spring Spirit Abounds
This spring offers a jam-packed schedule of activities for our students.  Whether you’re looking forward to commencement or to the arrival of summer, there is a celebration for you on campus.  Students can take part in established traditions, like the 27th annual Sun God Festival, and new ones, such as Senior Spring, which is an expansion of last year’s Senior Week to a full-quarter celebration.  The goal of Senior Spring is to give our soon-to-be graduates the opportunity to enrich their final weeks at UC San Diego, create memories, and bond with friends and classmates.  We also encourage seniors to celebrate their achievements, and we want to support their transition from student to alumni.  That’s why we’re holding networking events and presentations such as Hot Jobs in a Cool Market.  There also will be a grad fair and Senior Salute event.  You can learn more about Senior Spring by clicking here.  In addition, all students are being encouraged to give back to the community during UCSD Cares Week, held the first week of May.  There are many ways to get involved.  Students can participate in community service campaigns or projects, donate items to charities or contribute to fundraising efforts.  If you would like to get involved with UCSD Cares Week, click here.  Student life is an important part of the college experience, and I encourage all students to get involved on campus, and take advantages of the opportunities and activities offered to you.  According to our student satisfaction survey, students who get involved find life at UC San Diego much more enjoyable.  And the memories you make today will last a lifetime.

The Sound of Music
We’re looking forward to a lifetime of music at the Conrad Prebys Music Center.  After years of planning, research and design, and eagerly anticipating the sound of music, the center will celebrate its opening May 8 and 9.  A weekend of concerts will highlight our talented faculty and students from the Department of Music, including the premiere of several new works.  The campus and community are also welcome to attend an Open House and tour the facility.  The new center features state-of-the-art classrooms, practice studios, audio labs and world-class performance spaces, including the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, designed by renowned acoustician Cyril Harris.  It is destined to be one of the finest concert halls in the world.  The Music Center will be a gateway to our community, drawing thousands of people each year to campus to hear world-renowned musicians in a range of performances, from jazz and classical to new, experimental and computer music.  For more information on the Conrad Prebys Music Center and the opening, click here.  We are especially grateful to our university friends and donors, including Conrad Prebys whose generous contributions enabled us to finish construction of this high-tech facility and establish an endowment to continue supporting the Department of Music.  His kindness and leadership not only have provided a new home for the department, but also have helped launch it into the future.  

The Promise of Algal Biofuels
Speaking of launching into the future, we’re hoping the creation of The San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology (SD-CAB) will lead to future success in algal biofuel research.  The new center is uniting researchers from various disciplines and institutions – including UC San Diego, The Scripps Research Institute and other regional research organizations and private industry – to create a national facility capable of developing and translating research discoveries in algal biofuels into real-world application and commercial success.  Our hope is that our collaboration will lead to sustainable algae-based fuel production and carbon dioxide abatement within the next five to 10 years.  This will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and other economies, and will provide opportunities for a new economy and workforce.  It will also help the state meet its energy goals and will support the goals of UC San Diego’s Sustainability 2.0 initiative, to preserve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint.  SD-CAB researchers are now using a 40-acre algae research center in Imperial Valley, where the abundance of sunshine and acres of desert land are ideal for growing algae, the fastest growing organisms for turning sunlight into chemical energy and the most promising source of renewable alternative transportation fuels.  They also take carbon dioxide from the air as part of the growth process.  SD-CAB will also train young scientists, educate the public, and facilitate discussion and collaboration with regional, state and national policy makers.  For more information on SD-CAB and algal biofuel research, click here.

A Call to Reaffirm Our Principles of Community

Our university embraces spirited debate as we engage each other across disciplines in lively, complex, often passionate discussions about the controversies of our world and our times.  We challenge our faculty, staff and students to broaden and deepen their individual experiences by studying and understanding the perspectives of others.  We’ve articulated these ideals regarding campus climate and civil discourse in the UC San Diego Principles of Community.  I encourage all campus citizens to reaffirm these principles.  Please click here to read more about this important message.

With all of the spring activities and openings, there is a renewal of energy at UC San Diego.  And we’re pleased that the University of California Regents will hold their May meeting on campus and have the opportunity to experience our dynamic environment.  Enjoy the spring festivities.

With warm regards,

Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor