UC Merced sees record enrollment

MERCED, Calif (KFSN) -- UC Merced is starting off the school year with a record enrollment. More than 6,300 students headed to class for the first day of school.

The UC Merced campus is alive again with students starting off the fall semester. For nearly 1,600 freshman and transfer students, it's the start of a new academic journey.

"It's really exciting," said Freshman Adrianne Carpio. "All of my friends are really excited for classes to start because we didn't know what to do with all the spare time we had."

Student leaders say they look forward to getting others connected to the bobcat community.

Junior Dalton Rogers explained, "We have a strong entrepreneurial spirit as we come into this year and we're excited to be able to start a lot of new things and continue building traditions for our school."

This new school year comes with a new facility, the sciences and engineering building two.

Carpio said, "I'd pass by and just be amazed at all the new equipment and be excited about classes."

Inside, Professors like Fabian Filipp are ready to begin work with students.

Filipp explained, "My lab is focused on cancer metabolism and in particular we are studying the metabolic cycle of melanoma and we're trying to stop melanoma in its tracks."

Students can also use the seminar room to collaborate with others. The 102,000 square foot building is energy efficient and even runs off the solar panels that adorn it.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Charles Nies said, "So that's really exciting to know that space has come online and the hub adds a great opportunity for our students to continue to do this cutting edge research, whether that's around drone research or health research, cancer research. All of that's going on across the way here."

This school year marks the tenth operational year for UC Merced. University officials say with new buildings and new students, they're excited to see what's ahead.