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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Dear Campus Community,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">In November, I announced the establishment of the
<a href="https://chancellor.ucr.edu/athletics-working-group">Athletics Working Group</a> to conduct a thorough assessment of Intercollegiate Athletics on the UC Riverside campus; review challenges and opportunities; and make recommendations on the long-term
sustainability of the program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Over the past few months, the working group has engaged many internal and external stakeholders, carefully assessed the Athletics financial situation, conducted a competitor
analysis of similarly-sized institutions and athletics programs, and made recommendations on next steps.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Now that the efforts of the Athletics Working Group have nearly concluded I can confirm that Intercollegiate Athletics will continue at UC Riverside at the Division I level
in the Big West Conference with 17 sports. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Thank you to the student-athletes and staff who have gracefully remained committed to excellence in and outside of the classroom during this period of uncertainty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">While Athletics will continue at UCR, we are making notable structural changes in response to its significant financial challenges. These changes range from permanent budget
reductions, increasing revenue generation activities, and organizational restructuring to help ensure the program’s long-term viability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Intercollegiate Athletics will integrate with the Student Affairs division, with Interim Athletics Director Wes Mallette now reporting to Brian Haynes, Vice Chancellor
for Student Affairs. We anticipate that this organizational integration will help achieve operational efficiencies and fiscal savings, improve the fan experience, enhance recreational and club sports on campus, and deepen the connection between Athletics and
current and future UCR students.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Beginning immediately, Intercollegiate Athletics will implement a three-year financial and operational plan to achieve substantial permanent budget reductions, increase externally
generated revenue, and move toward financial stability. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">In coordination with student leaders, the university will explore a potential student referendum in the 2021-22 academic year to consider an increase to the Division I athletics
fee, which is the lowest in the Big West Conference and has remained unchanged for 20 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">These and other changes will be evaluated annually to confirm that we make consistent and tangible process toward these goals, which are essential to assuming the long-term
viability of Division I athletics at UCR. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Thank you to the entire Athletics Working Group, Vice Chancellor Brian Haynes, and Interim Athletics Director Wes Mallette for their considerable efforts in recent
months to thoughtfully assess our situation and make recommendations on the future of Athletics on the UCR campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><img border="0" width="59" height="59" style="width:.618in;height:.618in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D741D6.130E9AD0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Kim A. Wilcox,
<br>
Chancellor <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="146" height="44" style="width:1.5208in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01D741D6.130E9AD0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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