Dear Colleagues,

Spring Quarter is starting off with some excellent news.  

First, in the state of California, all adults age 50+ are now eligible to sign up for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 and those age 16+ will be eligible as of April 15. Vaccinations are now universally accessible through the state’s MyTurn portal. To promote public safety, we’ll be continuing our practices of symptom screening, asymptomatic testing, distancing, and masking throughout the coming months.

Second, our university continues to receive recognition for the excellence of our academic programs at all levels. In the K-12 arena, the Preuss School UC San Diego has earned a Distinguished School Award from the State of California, for providing an outstanding education and closing achievement gaps. Preuss was also recently featured in the local CBS News Innovate 8 segment; Dr. Phil Ensberg and his scholars showed off the Rube Goldberg projects they created at home during the pandemic. At the other end of the pipeline, US News & World Report’s latest rankings praise many of our graduate programs; to cite two notable examples: our Department of Political Science now ranks 8th nationwide, while the Jacobs School of Engineering is 9th in the nation.   

Third, UC San Diego’s new 66,000 square foot building at Park and Market in downtown San Diego is rapidly nearing completion. As University Extension Dean Mary Walshok discussed in her recent keynote address at the Educational Innovation Winter Expo, this new building will facilitate programming related to research, education, performance and engagement -- and support the development of strong partnerships with community organizations that will have a presence there. 

I recently had the opportunity to tour the new space -- and it is fantastic. High ceilings and large windows connect to the cityscape and trolley stops right outside. The areas for performances, lectures, exhibits, gatherings, and classes will be spacious and welcoming. An outdoor area flows naturally into adjoining neighborhood spaces, to create a sense of community. The neighborhood is ideally located, adjacent to a wide variety of office buildings, housing, schools, and cultural organizations, ensuring that our Park & Market offerings can connect to people of all ages through work, education, and entertainment.  

I look forward to being able to take the UC San Diego Blue Line trolley directly from our new Design & Innovation Building to the entrance of the Park & Market building starting in the fall -- and I hope many of you will join me.


Wishing you all the best for the spring,
Elizabeth H. SimmonsElizabeth H. Simmons