<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">Dear Academic Advisors, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">Please see the message below from VPDUE Rodriguez and VC Haynes. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;white-space:pre-wrap">Dear UCR Campus Partners,</span><br></div><div class="gmail-tVu25" style="min-height:100%;color:rgb(32,33,36);font-family:"Google Sans",Roboto,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><div class="gmail-nH" style="width:1719.46px"><div class="gmail-nH" style=""><div class="gmail-nH gmail-aqk gmail-aql gmail-bkL" style="display:flex;background-color:transparent"><div class="gmail-nH gmail-bkK" style="overflow:hidden"><div class="gmail-nH" style="border-radius:16px;margin-bottom:16px;overflow-y:hidden"><div class="gmail-nH gmail-ar4 gmail-z"><div class="gmail-aeI"><div class="gmail-AO" style=""><div id="gmail-:3" class="gmail-Tm gmail-aeJ" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;overflow-y:scroll;padding-right:0px;height:686px"><div id="gmail-:1" class="gmail-aeF" style="padding:0px;vertical-align:bottom;min-height:496.118px"><div class="gmail-nH"><div class="gmail-nH" role="main"><div class="gmail-nH gmail-g"><div class="gmail-nH gmail-a98 gmail-iY" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;min-height:64ex;min-width:502px;margin:0px;padding-right:16px"><div class="gmail-nH"><div class="gmail-aHU gmail-hx" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(34,34,34);min-width:502px;padding:0px"><div role="list"><div class="gmail-h7 gmail-ie" role="listitem" aria-expanded="true" tabindex="-1" style="padding-bottom:0px;max-width:100000px;clear:both;outline:none"><div class="gmail-Bk" style="margin-bottom:0px;border-width:0px;border-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(239,239,239) currentcolor currentcolor;border-radius:0px;float:left;width:1308.04px"><div class="gmail-G3 gmail-G2" style="border-width:medium 0px 0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor rgba(100,121,143,0.12);padding-top:0px;background-color:transparent;border-radius:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px"><div id="gmail-avWBGd-138"><div id="gmail-avWBGd-139"><div class="gmail-adn gmail-ads" style="border-left-width:medium;border-left-style:none;border-left-color:currentcolor;padding:0px;display:flex"><div class="gmail-gs" style="margin:0px;min-width:0px;padding:0px 0px 20px;width:auto"><div class="gmail-"><div class="gmail-ii gmail-gt" id="gmail-:1u0" style="direction:ltr;margin:8px 0px 0px;padding:0px;overflow-x:hidden"><div id="gmail-:1r4" class="gmail-a3s gmail-aiL" style="direction:ltr;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:1.5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;overflow:auto hidden"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div><span id="m_-2640974781934642688m_-2841458253962815475m_-3204016450729470805m_-1314033420529014618m_-5397524547960863999gmail-docs-internal-guid-fe4e15b1-7fff-4243-f8d3-3e1e8c37ca1a"><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">On behalf of the UCR Reimagining Orientation Workgroup, thank you for everything you've done in support of our newest Highlanders this summer. From placement assessments and Highlander Foundations to Student Engagement programming and Highlander Advising Support and Registration, your time, energy, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our incoming students and their families. We are grateful for your partnership and for the many ways you helped create welcoming and informative experiences throughout the summer.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As we begin wrapping up 2026 orientation activities, we're excited to share an important change to the way we will welcome incoming students next year. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Beginning in 2027, Highlander Orientation will transition from a series of sessions held throughout July and August to a comprehensive orientation experience during a Welcome Week in September.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Highlander Orientation activities will now take place after students have moved into campus housing and continue up until the first day of class on Thursday, September 23, 2027. Placement assessments, Highlander Foundations, and Highlander Advising Support and Registration sessions will continue to take place during the summer months, as they did this past year.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This decision reflects an opportunity to better align our resources with UCR's evolving needs, while creating an even stronger onboarding experience for our students that moves UCR closer to meeting its strategic goals. Specifically, moving Highlander Orientation to a Welcome Week model will:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Create a stronger sense of community among our newest students by allowing them to meet and connect with a much larger portion of their incoming class.</span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Continue integrating Student Engagement programming closely with Welcome Week programming, so students can begin learning campus traditions, exploring academic resources, discovering student support services, and building relationships with their peers from the very start of their university experience.</span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Provide a more unified, engaging transition into campus life by connecting orientation programming with the excitement and energy of the new academic year.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Strengthen students’ sense of belonging through deep engagement just before the beginning of the quarter</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Broaden access to Highlander Family Orientation activities just before the beginning of the quarter recognizing the essential role that families play in supporting students’ transition and continued success at UCR</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:11pt;list-style-type:disc;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Aligning institutional resources and onboarding activities with retention and student success goals</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We recognize that this represents a significant shift, and thoughtful planning will be essential to ensuring a successful transition. To guide this work, the Reimagining Orientation committee will explore the most effective strategies for implementing the Welcome Week orientation model, and work closely with campus partners to develop a program that meets the needs of our students. Your expertise and ideas will continue to play an important role in shaping an orientation experience that is welcoming, engaging, and impactful for every new Highlander.  In addition, we know that retention and persistence efforts begin the moment a student is admitted to UC Riverside and this change will help us work toward one of our campus strategic goals of boosting graduation rates and student success. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As we look ahead, we see 2027 as an opportunity for innovation — a chance to embrace new ideas, rethink long-standing practices, and explore new approaches that better serve our students and our campus community. Additional information about the transition process, opportunities to participate in the Welcome Week subcommittee, and planning timelines will be shared in the coming months.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Thank you once again for your continued partnership and your commitment to student success at UCR.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sincerely,</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dr. Louie Rodriguez</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Vice Provost, Dean of Undergraduate Education</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dr. Brian Haynes</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs</span></p></span><div class="gmail-yj6qo"></div><div class="gmail-adL"><br></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"><br></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div><div class="gmail-adL"></div></div></div><div class="gmail-WhmR8e" id="gmail-avWBGd-156" style="clear:both"></div></div></div><div class="gmail-ajx" style="clear:both"></div></div><div class="gmail-gA gmail-gt gmail-ac5" style="padding:0px;width:auto;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-top-width:medium;border-top-style:none;border-top-color:currentcolor;background:transparent"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div></div></div><div class="gmail-nH"><div></div></div><div class="gmail-nH"><div class="gmail-l2" style="margin:0px 0px 16px;padding:0px 16px;text-align:center;background-image:url("//ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/rfr/blank_1x.png");background-position:50% center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:20px;min-height:56px"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail-nH"><div class="gmail-aUx" style="display:flex;height:734.115px"><div class="gmail-bAw gmail-bcf gmail-tRcrsc" style="height:734.113px;min-width:56px;width:56px"><div class="gmail-brC-aT5-aOt-Jw" role="complementary" aria-label="Side panel" style="background:rgb(248,250,253);border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;box-sizing:bor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