Chancellor Gary S. May sent the following letter to the campus community this morning (Sept. 25):

•••

Dear UC Davis community,

Welcome to the 2017-18 academic year. We are entering a time of incredible opportunity and global reach, and I wish all of you the best in your pursuits during these exciting days ahead.

It is an honor to lead an institution of such excellence, and I am proud of our students, faculty, staff and alumni who care so deeply about our university. We are a community that appreciates and is committed to scholarship and research. We are constantly striving to provide opportunities for students to excel, from our student success centers, to our holistic student wellness services, to our mentoring of students throughout their studies.

Here at UC Davis, we are recognized nationally and internationally for academic excellence, scholarship, the upward mobility of our students, our contributions to the public good, environmental friendliness and a diverse, inclusive community.

The foundation of our university is strong, and we will continue to build on that foundation. One of the pillars that keeps us grounded is our Principles of Community. We find strength in our diversity, be it ethnicity, political belief, citizenship status or sexual orientation. As a community, we not only earn degrees together but also learn how to live harmoniously and communicate respectfully with one another.

I know we will grow together over the coming year. I want you to know that the well-being of our UC Davis community means everything to me. We will work together to make sure our campus is one that encourages civil dialogue and respectful freedom of expression.

Every one of us deserves to experience UC Davis as a nurturing environment, free of violence in all its forms. I want to be especially clear that UC Davis will never relent in the fight against sexual violence, as I vowed in a public statement earlier this month about Title IX protections for students who experience sexual violence on campus. I have taken the Upstander Pledge and encourage you all to do so as well. For more information, please visit sexualviolence.ucdavis.edu.

Finally, I want to thank you for your warm welcome to me as your chancellor. I’ve enjoyed meeting and hearing from you, and I look forward to more conversations with you.   

As we launch into the new academic year, let’s continue to create opportunities that not only empower individuals but also have the power to change the world.

Go Ags!

Gary S. May
Chancellor