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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dear Campus Community, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The coronavirus pandemic wrought substantial devastation on our nation and community since the first diagnosed U.S. case in January 2020. In the 18 months since then, Congress has passed three rounds of stimulus
acts, each of which offered financial relief to institutions of higher education. Chancellor Wilcox and I, in consultation with campus leaders, have sought wherever possible to direct these funds to support, acknowledge, and recognize the tenacity and commitment
of our students, staff, and faculty. The people of UC Riverside are our greatest asset, and I know that many of you have experienced untold personal and professional challenges as a result of the pandemic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">While these relief funds will not fully compensate for the many tens of millions of dollars of losses UCR sustained, nor for the losses in learning, research, and other university activities, the
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan provide opportunities for us to recover and rebuild in strategic and targeted ways. Closing much
of the campus during the pandemic resulted in delayed progress toward degree completion, suspended research and creative activities, and hiring pauses that caused hardships for our campus community members.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Each round of federal financial relief was mandated to be split between
</span><a href="https://financialaid.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm1731/files/2020-05/CARES%20Act%20Reporting%20Requirement.pdf"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">student financial aid</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> and partial restoration of lost revenue
or offsetting of expenses directly related to COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">The
</span><a href="https://provost.ucr.edu/campus-finance-committee"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;background:white">Campus Finance Committee</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">, which advises Chancellor Wilcox and me on major
institutional budget decisions, met several times over the past two months to review proposals for use of these one-time relief funds, which must have a direct nexus to the pandemic and will be audited for compliance. We have accepted the committee’s recommendations,
which are intended to support our students, faculty, and staff as we make strides toward a mostly in-person fall quarter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">Below is a summary of the approved recommendations that will be implemented this fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">FACULTY</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">For assistant professors and assistant professors of teaching, the campus will fund employment of a PhD or MFA student (GSR) for one academic year, paying their tuition, fees, and salary. If the
faculty member chooses not to hire a graduate student to support their research, they can instead receive a one-time grant of $15,000 to fund research expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Unlike associate and full professors, assistant professors do not yet have security of employment. Many of them experienced disruptions to their research programs due to the pandemic. Graduate
students also experienced disruptions in their research, delays in their progress toward completion, and increased challenges securing funding. This plan is designed to assist both groups.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Faculty should contact their dean’s office for further information.</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">STAFF<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Many staff never left campus when the Governor’s “stay-at-home” order was issued. There are campus functions that require a physical presence, so these colleagues endured risks to health, emotional stress,
and safety mitigations shared by on-site workers across the country. Other employees had to create makeshift, sub-optimal workstations in their homes, balancing work with childcare, online school, family financial uncertainties, and myriad other distractions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We are mindful of the significant burden placed on staff during this time and will respond with several programs using one-time funding intended to offer relief and recognition during FY2021-22, including:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:#17365D;letter-spacing:-.1pt;font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal">Expansion of<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt">
</span>R’Pantry<span style="letter-spacing:.3pt"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing:.15pt"> </span>one-year<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt">
</span>pilot<span style="letter-spacing:.2pt"> </span>program<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt"> </span>include<span style="letter-spacing:.2pt">
</span>access<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing:.15pt">
</span>UCR<span style="letter-spacing:.3pt"> </span>staff<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>experiencing food<span style="letter-spacing:-.4pt"> </span>insecurity<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:#17365D;letter-spacing:-.1pt;font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal">Funding for colleges, schools, and administrative units to purchase equipment and furniture for staff approved to work hybrid or remote schedules<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:#17365D;letter-spacing:-.1pt;font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal">Expansion of mental health and wellness resources for staff
<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:#17365D;letter-spacing:-.1pt;font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal">Funding for career-related trainings and resources for employees and supervisors, including training for individuals working on a hybrid basis, to make
up for many training and professional development opportunities missed due to COVID<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal">More information will be forthcoming as these programs are implemented.<o:p></o:p></span></i></h4>
<h4 style="margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">GRADUATE STUDENTS</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The pandemic seriously disrupted graduate education, notably at the dissertation (research) stage, and across disciplines. For humanities, arts, and social science students, access to archives
and research sites was significantly restricted. For many in the life sciences, restrictions on travel to field research sites has meant an inevitable delay in those projects tied to natural cycles. Lab-based disciplines also saw delays. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">In order to address the financial and other stresses our early-career researchers face as they work to complete their PhD and MFA degrees, the campus will allocate funds to expand the Graduate
Division’s dissertation fellowship completion program to support 150 students between fall 2021 and summer 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">UNDERGRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The pandemic’s effects were magnified for UCR’s student population, many of whom are first-generation university students. Many were sheltering in homes with multiple distractions, digital access challenges,
no dedicated study space, and the mental health challenges of isolation and hypervigilance.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Campus Finance Committee reviewed a range of student success interventions to support a return to campus and made recommendations that will be implemented during this academic year. They include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Financial assistance for students adversely affected by the pandemic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Expansion of tutoring and supplemental instruction
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Technology upgrades across campus, including classroom and conference room upgrades, expanded Wi-Fi and laptop access, and online student advising and services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Expansion of peer mentoring and advising<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Events and programs for incoming students who have spent little to no time on campus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Research experiences for undergraduates<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In addition to these specific programs, one-time funding was provided to all core units to help mitigate the impacts of budget reductions.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">None of the activities and interventions described above will allow us to reclaim the 18 months we experienced as a community and a nation. Through the allocation of this one-time emergency relief funding,
in strict adherence to the federal guidelines, we hope to provide assistance, encouragement, and recognition to our faculty, students, and staff as we return to campus in the fall.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I wish you all the best for the coming academic year.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Elizabeth Watkins, PhD<br>
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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