Was it just one more lie UC told us? -- BLJ

Distinguished guests, parents, students, members of the UC Merced family, our good neighbors throughout the Valley, our wonderful Chancellor - referred to as Carol by the young and old, and everyone will soon know her as Carol - on behalf of the Regents and the entire University, I thank you for joining us on this momentous day.

UC Merced has been in the making for 17 years since the Regents first proposed adding a 10th campus to address the education needs of the Valley and accommodate the rapid population growth projected for California. That makes the planning process as old as some of the freshmen who will begin college careers here this week.