UC Merced comes a-courtin'
Visalia Times-Delta 5/1/07
Like an eager suitor, Kang visited several places in the San Joaquin Valley last week on what he called a "listening tour." Meeting with political, educational, business and civic leaders, Kang sought feedback on how UC Merced could serve this area and what advantages there might be both for the university and San Joaquin Valley communities.
In fact, a relationship between institutions in this area and UC Merced holds enormous potential for both sides.
Many in this area have long promoted the vision of a four-year college in Tulare County. It hasn't happened. But in the meantime, several four-year institutions have moved here, sort of: UC Davis, Fresno State, Fresno Pacific, Chapman University, University of Phoenix and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have all opened satellite learning centers here, or joined as a partner with College of the Sequoias. No question that other institutions will also explore this area's potential for attracting students. While we wait for the long-promised four-year school, it remains a good idea to cultivate those other relationships.
UC Merced is in a unique position to collaborate with many local institutions. It is the closest UC site to Tulare County in California. Like other UC sites, it is a research university. That kind of work needs subjects to study, and this area is in a good position to provide the testing ground.
UC Merced's specialties are well-suited to this area. From the beginning, the university expressed interest in developing a medical school and emphasizes health-care research. It already has developed one of the best centers in the state for environmental research. The university will also concentrate on technological innovation in agriculture and business.
Kang describes the university as developing "21st century education," with emphasis on high technology and integrated disciplines.
Those specialties can serve this area well. Our Valley is crying out for technological solutions to its environmental problems. High-level research would serve our ag industry and business. Our hospitals and clinics would benefit from collaborations with the UC Merced medical school.
Kang's visit shows a willingness to engage in those relationships on the part of the university. The area must also be open to developing that relationship and using its access to UC Merced. And we have to work on creating the infrastructure that supports sophisticated technology.
In the past, our area has suffered from an unwillingness to broaden our vision beyond our borders. Many people set their higher education sights no further than Fresno State or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Those universities have certainly made valuable contributions to our community, in terms of graduates and opportunities. We need to be open to extending even a little further.
Kang has said that his vision is that UC Merced become known as the university of the San Joaquin Valley. If we are being wooed by such a prestigious suitor, it makes sense to make ourselves available.