To the UC Davis Community:

I’m excited to welcome new and returning Aggies to campus for the 2026-27 academic year. Each fall, I’m reminded of the energy and ambitious spirit our students bring to our community. Their shared commitment to do good is at the heart of what we achieve together, and it makes UC Davis a vibrant place for innovation.
 
I encourage our students to pursue their ideas boldly. Inspiration doesn’t have to wait or be observed from a distance. About half of undergraduate students engage in research and creative projects outside the classroom, and places like the Student Startup Center and Aggie Square are designed to support entrepreneurial ideas. Facilities like the state-of-the-art Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, where students collaborate with industry partners and faculty to build more resilient crops and expand access to nutritious food, show there’s always a creative community within reach.
 
For some, innovation begins with an experiment. Last spring, teams of undergraduates tackled the challenge of dairy innovation, developing fermented dairy products from idea to market-ready prototype. The Food Tech Club’s 10-week competition encouraged students to experiment with flavor and nutrition, creating fruit kefir popsicles dubbed “K-Pops” and the winning entry, “Cultured,” a dairy spread with 25% less fat than regular cream cheese.
 
For others, innovation starts with a question. Josie Peinemann, a fourth-year student majoring in cognitive science and communication, is exploring aphantasia, a condition marked by the inability to voluntarily visualize images in the “mind’s eye.” She’s turning her personal curiosity and experience living with the condition into actionable inquiry through her undergraduate capstone research project to better understand this understudied area.
 
Sometimes, innovation means taking what we learn and applying it to a community need. Elina Kuang, who is majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior, is translating cancer research into public health solutions as part of the federally funded Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience. She’s implementing HPV vaccine education and outreach support for students as part of Professor Laura Fejerman’s lab.
 
Launching an idea can also be a team effort to solve a societal issue. In his spare time, Nils Fleig, a computer science major and co-founder and president of the Davis Autonomy Club, is developing autonomous drones alongside fellow undergraduates. Their latest technology is designed to support wildland firefighters by delivering critical, often heavy equipment to the fire lines. The club demonstrates the power of Aggies collaborating to drive impact.  
 
As these students show, UC Davis is the ideal place to test ideas, take risks and pursue solutions that can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Our shared responsibility

As we settle into the new year and all the promise it brings, I encourage you to refresh yourself on important policies, starting with free speech, annual campus climate notifications and participation in political campaign activity.
 
Independent thought and a diversity of viewpoints are essential to the university’s mission. The ability to hear, express and thoughtfully debate different ideas is fundamental to the culture of free inquiry that underpins academic excellence. At the same time, our Principles of Community aspire to foster an environment grounded in civility, respect and mutual understanding. As these principles remind us, “we affirm the dignity inherent in all of us.”
 
Our commitment to dignity extends to how we build and share information online. The entire university community can participate when we create accessible digital content. Visit the Digital Accessibility website for guidance on creating accessible content and information on the tools and training available to you.
 
Just as we look out for one another’s physical safety, we share the responsibility for protecting our community’s information from phishing attacks that put the entire university at risk. Learn more about how to protect yourself from the latest phishing scams. 

Health and safety resources

The well-being of our community is of the utmost importance, and I want to take a moment to ensure you are familiar with a few of the programs and resources that support our health and safety.
 
Our Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center provides students with services ranging from support with mental health, housing and finances to assistance with food security needs. The UC Davis Fire Department’s Health 34 provides free field visits and phone calls to assist in moments of stress and difficulty, from test anxiety and substance abuse to roommate challenges. More resources are available on our Aggie Mental Health site.
 
Through our Safe Ride program, Aggie Host personnel provide free escorts on foot or in security vehicles to any student, staff or faculty, every day of the week, until midnight.
 
I also want to encourage Aggies to move around campus safely. UC Davis recorded 119 bicycle crashes and 112 e-bike and e-scooter crashes in 2024 and 2025. Riding at unsafe speeds is the leading cause of collisions on campus, accounting for more crashes than all other causes.
 
This fall, UC Davis is expanding the frequency and location of Safety Corridors, an education-first approach to promote responsible riding. Representatives from the UC Davis Police Department, Transportation Services and Student Affairs will be at different high-traffic locations to share safety information and address prohibited riding behavior — starting with conversation and education but possibly including enforcement.
 
UC Davis is committed to addressing any incidents of sexual harassment or sexual violence. The Center for Advocacy, Resources & Education, or CARE, provides confidential support to those who have experienced any form of sexual misconduct. Please take some time to learn more about sexual violence prevention and the resources and reporting options available to you.
 
Unlawful discriminatory or harassing behavior is prohibited. Learn more information about resources and reporting options.

Opportunities to learn and build

As we look ahead, every step forward opens doors to new opportunities for growth at UC Davis. Our campus offers a range of entrepreneurial programs to help realize an idea, from the annual Big Bang! Business Competition to the Aggie Venture Accelerator for early-stage life science startups, which is now accepting applications for its next cohort.
 
There is a range of academic and mentorship programs for students to continue to thrive — from the Academic Retention Centers and Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers to the Undergraduate Research Center. For those seeking leadership experience, the Leadership Job Shadow program is now accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students to shadow a campus leader for a day and explore career pathways. With support and opportunities, there are no limits on what our students can achieve.
 
As we start the year, we also carry forward the legacy of those who have helped shape our university. I want to take a moment to honor and remember members of the UC Davis community whose contributions inspire us. In honoring them, we are reminded of the importance of supporting each other, just as they did at UC Davis.
 
Let’s continue to make a positive impact and foster a supportive community in the year ahead.

Sincerely, 
 
Gary S. May 
Chancellor