To Our UCR Athletics Community:
Several days ago, our campus faculty and staff received a communication from the Chancellor's office with updates on the status of the campus budget, recommendations from the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), and additional information about impending cuts and budget review process. Part of the BAC's recommendations included a suggested recommendation on the elimination of our Athletics program.
We understand this is just a recommendation at this juncture. However, we clearly want Athletics to be here as we believe we bring tremendous value to our university, and along with all those affiliated with and concerned about UCR Athletics, we are committed to ensuring our future is sustainable for years to come.
In addition, the
Press-Enterprise recently published a story focused on this very issue. The story is balanced and highlights the support for Athletics from some of our most prominent alumni and former leaders.
Below is our official position on this issue and the statement we sent to the
Press-Enterprise in response to the inquiry surrounding the story and the issue:
We are incredibly proud of our Intercollegiate Athletics program at the University of California, Riverside, and the upward trajectory we are on. Our Athletics program has made a tremendous impact on the campus and in the lives of the several hundred student-athletes we serve and the thousands who have graduated from this great institution and have gone on to change the world in their respective fields. Academically, athletically, on our campus and in our community, the impact and contributions our UC Riverside student-athletes are making as leaders, students and citizens is second to none. Our Athletics program has focused heavily on ensuring student success (our student-athletes are winning championships and achieving a cumulative grade point average above a 3.0) and that our values and mission are aligned with that of our institution.
This once in a century pandemic that is COVID-19 and the significant impact it has had on all of us, has presented everyone across our collegiate landscape with challenges none of us have ever encountered. As good campus partners, our focus is on taking the most responsible approach to adjusting our program accordingly based on the impact of COVID-19 and we have already made initial and painful reductions due to the impact of COVID-19.
I am humbled and honored to be leading our Athletics program during these unprecedented times. Along with our coaches, student-athletes and their parents, staff, donors, and fans, we are committed to ensuring the future of UCR Athletics is sustainable for years to come.
As always, thank you for your continued support for our Highlanders.
It is greatly appreciated.
- Tamica
Tamica Smith Jones
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
University of California, Riverside
