Skip to Main Content

Office of The President California State University, Sacramento

Support Page Content

Presidential Communications - Fall 2022

President Robert S. Nelsen’s messages to students, faculty, and staff.

Please save the dates for two important events

Dec. 15, 2022 - As the fall semester wraps up and the campus community prepares for the well-deserved winter break, please be sure to save the dates for two events scheduled for early in the Spring 2023 semester.

My Spring Address is scheduled for 9 – 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in the University Union Ballroom. Since it will be my final Spring Address, it will be like no other. There will be an option to watch the address via livestream. ASL and captioning will be provided. To request additional accommodations and to RSVP for in-person or virtual attendance, please use this form.

On Feb. 3, please plan to attend the Presidential Search Open Forum, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the University Union Ballroom. The open forum will allow members of the Trustees Committee for the Selection of the President to hear from campus and community members about the qualities and experiences needed by the next Sacramento State president. The committee also will share more information about the presidential search process. We will send out an invitation early in the spring semester with information about how to RSVP and options for viewing and participating in the forum. ASL and captioning will be provided, and requests for additional accommodations can be sent to events@csus.edu.

Dr. Carlos Nevarez to be Sr. AVP for Sac State Placer Center

Dec. 14, 2022 - I am pleased to announce that Interim Provost Carlos Nevarez has agreed to serve as senior associate vice president for Sacramento State Placer Center, effective Jan. 16. His expertise in higher education leadership and in building academic programs will be an outstanding asset to us as we lay the groundwork for Placer Center academic programming. In this new position, Dr. Nevarez will lead the strategic direction of the Placer campus, working with higher education, industry, and Placer County partners to deliver a new model in higher education that ensures educational and economic prosperity for generations.

I want to thank Carlos again for his outstanding service as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs over the past year. In this new role, he will be a strong advocate for balancing the academic, regional, and workforce missions of the Placer Center while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Stingers Up!

Please join me for a reception honoring Mark Hendricks

Nov. 29, 2022 - Please save the date and plan to join me to officially congratulate Mark Hendricks on his appointment as chief information officer and vice president for Information Resources and Technology, 3-5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at Engrained Restaurant in the University Union (first floor). Please click here or view the invitation PDF to RSVP by Jan. 3.

We stand with our LGBTQIA+ community

Nov. 21, 2022 - Yesterday, Jody and I attended Sacramento State’s production of “The Laramie Project.” The play documents the horrific 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Matthew was abducted, brutally beaten, and tied to a fence where he was left to die simply because he was a gay man in America. The play performance was powerful and moving and serves as an urgent call to end hatred in all forms.

Yet, we continue to see heinous acts of violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Six years ago, 49 people were gunned down at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. And just this weekend, we watched with horror and disgust as we learned of more senseless killings at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Too many people have suffered from the violence that stems from hatred. Sacramento State condemns these and all acts of hate and discrimination, and I ask once again for the Hornet community to come together as a healing and caring campus to support one another and end the violence in our society.

To our LGBTQIA+ community, we stand with you, we support you, and we will never relent as we fight against hate. No one should have to fear being murdered or attacked because of who they are, the color of their skin, or who they love. We must protect and care for one another and create a world where everyone feels safe and valued.

In the most recent three weeks, students have been viciously killed at three universities: University of Virginia, University of Idaho, and University of New Mexico. Students, faculty, and staff are rightly rattled and concerned. Again, we must be there for each other.

These horrendous acts of violence can cause a range of emotions, including fear, stress, and anxiety, and I know the holiday season can be a particularly isolating time of year. You are not alone. Students who need support should visit Student Health and Counseling Services online, or call 916-278-6461. We have counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online and at 800-367-7474.

To our students: I hear you.

Nov. 18, 2022 - Yesterday, ASI sponsored a student-led town hall where administrators, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to listen firsthand to the voices and concerns of our students about the sexual assaults on campus, and to hear their concerns about the University’s response. I want everyone to know that I heard loud and clear the fear, pain, and anxiety of our students.

The campus that once felt safe for you is now a place where you hesitate to walk alone or study in isolated areas. You feel fearful and unsafe, and you are wondering how our university will respond and put an end to what seems like a constant barrage of sexual assaults. You are tired of emails, and you want to know how will we make you once again feel safe.

Many of you feel that there is not enough lighting, that the Blue Lights need to be made accessible for deaf and hard of hearing students, that we need more cameras throughout campus, that there needs to be more of a police presence patrolling campus, while recognizing this presence could be triggering for undocumented, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQIA+ community members. You are asking what we will do to prevent these acts. You feel that resources and support for survivors are not adequately communicated and are not readily available at times when they are needed. You also want a less cumbersome and more trauma-informed reporting process.

The purpose of this message is to reassure you that I heard you, and the administration heard you. But I also want you to know that we did not just listen – we want to partner with you to address both your psychological and physical safety concerns. You clearly said that we must be proactive and not just reactive. To that end, I want to let you know of a few actions already in progress and additional actions we will be taking.

We will ensure that there are more readily available safety escort services for students at night and on weekends. We will implement a more secure check-in process in the Residential Halls. We will investigate staffing in computer labs, study spaces, and the library. We will use a trauma-informed approach to support individuals who are reporting incidences and share safety and survivor resources. We will increase opportunities for everyone to attend our outreach efforts and comprehensive education campaigns for prevention, bystander training, and consent education. We will finalize our hiring of additional staff in the Office for Equal Opportunity (Title IX), and we will finalize the new confidential advocate hire. We will work with faculty, ASI, and others to communicate to students through channels other than email. We will work with the Faculty Senate to add information to syllabi about resources such as the confidential advocates. We will hire a social worker who will work in the Police Department. We will continue to listen, be open to new ideas, critiques, and concerns. We, like you, want everyone to feel safe on our campus.

Thank you to the students who so bravely shared their stories, fears, concerns, and ideas. I also want to thank Michael Lee-Chang, the student representative for Sexual Violence Advisory Team (SVAT) for spearheading this event, and Dr. Sujatha Moni and the Women’s and Gender Studies Department for working closely with him in planning. Thank you to ASI and the Center on Race, Immigration, and Social Justice for supporting the event, as well. Together, we will build a strong network of support and solidarity in fighting against all forms of harassment, assaults, and violence.

Honoring International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

Nov. 18, 2022 - Please join me on Nov. 19, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, in honoring the survivors and those we have lost to suicide.

That day, Sacramento State is hosting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Sacramento Chapter and invites those who have lost a loved one to suicide to register to join us from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. This gathering provides an opportunity for survivors of suicide loss to find connection, understanding, and hope through sharing stories and shared experiences. This event encourages dialogue about mental health on college campuses and raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

The past several years have greatly highlighted the continued need for conversation and support for mental health and suicide prevention. Youth and young adult mental health and suicidal ideation is a public health crisis that has grown in severity because of events of the pandemic, and local and national events. A recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) survey found that young adults experience higher rates of suicidal ideation than the general population, with 25% of young adults reporting suicide ideation (CDC, 2020). In 2020, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for youth and young adults ages 10-34 (CDC, 2022). Connection to the campus and community, which support a sense of belonging for young adults, can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and suicidal ideation, and increase support for mental health.

Hornet Family, we are here to support you. Student Health and Counseling Services offers our students physical and mental health resources, including individual counseling, group counseling, and peer counseling. Our peer counselors are students trained to be supportive, helpful listeners, and problem solvers. You can find more information about the peer counseling program or book a peer counseling session online. The Employee Assistance Program is available to support our employees’ mental health and well-being with free, confidential services.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs mental health support, know that there is hope, and there is help. Information also is on the back of your Sac State One Card.

Please note the following resources:

  • Sac State Student Health and Counseling Services: 916-278-6461 or csus.edu/shcs.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “Brave” or “Steve” (BIPOC Counselor) to 741-741.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8.
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org.

For more information on survivor resources and support groups, visit afsp.org or contact Andre at andre_sillas@yahoo.com.

I am grateful for all you do to watch out for and take care of one another.

Steve Perez to return as Provost

Nov. 16, 2022 - I am very pleased to announce that Steve Perez will return to Sacramento State and again serve as our provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, effective Jan. 16, 2023. Steve valiantly served as San Jose State University’s interim president during a time of great turmoil. He clearly made a true difference, and I know that San Jose State and the CSU Board of Trustees are incredibly grateful. I am extremely proud of Steve’s steadfast leadership at San Jose State, and I look forward to his return to campus.

I wish to thank Carlos Nevarez for his stellar service as interim provost during the past year. Under his leadership Academic Affairs has continued to thrive, and he has been an invaluable member of the President’s Cabinet. He didn’t just help us continue to move forward; his leadership clearly made us better. We will have more information about interim Provost Nevarez’s exciting new role serving Sacramento State in the coming days.

Please join me in welcoming Provost Perez back to Sacramento State, and in thanking Provost Nevarez for his service in this interim capacity. Stingers Up!

Student-led discussion on campus sexual assaults to take place Nov. 17

Nov. 15, 2022 - In response to sexual assaults on campus this semester, a student-led discussion will take place from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the University Union Redwood Room. This student-organized event is designed to provide a platform for students to voice their concerns, provide suggestions, and share resources related to this critical topic. I want to thank student Michael Lee-Chang for spearheading this event, which he is organizing with the sponsorship of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, and the support of the Office of the President, the Division of Inclusive Excellence, ASI, and the Center on Race, Immigration and Social Justice. This is an opportunity for us to listen to student concerns about campus safety and security.

There will be an option to attend and participate via Zoom or in-person. ASL and captioning will be provided. To request additional accommodations please contact Dr. Sujatha Moni, chair of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, prior to the event. You can share questions and concerns prior to the event by scanning the QR code on the event flyer. For more information, please see the event flyer or contact event organizer Michael Lee-Chang.

The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff is the University’s top priority. Currently, Sacramento State is equipped with 200 Blue Light 24-hour emergency phones throughout campus, including in residential housing areas, which provide a direct line to emergency personnel. The interactive campus safety map includes all emergency Blue Light locations. Sac State Police Department personnel continue to regularly patrol campus, and can be reached at 916-278-6000. Please make sure you have that number programmed into your phone. You can also call 911 from any campus phone. The Hornet Safety Escort Program can be utilized by calling 916-278-7260, or you can contact Sac State police for an escort when on campus at night. You can get more information about campus safety resources on our website.

If you or someone you know needs support, several campus resources are available.

  • The campus confidential advocate can assist you in obtaining medical care and counseling, and with reporting sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (IPV), or stalking.
  • Confidential counseling services are available on campus for Sacramento State students through Student Health and Counseling Services. Call 916-278-6461 to make an appointment.
  • Employees can access counselors through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online or by calling 800-367-7474. Incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (including sexual battery and rape), dating or domestic violence, and stalking should be reported to the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO).
  • Crimes and any suspicious activity should be reported to Sacramento State Police Department at 916-278-6000.

I look forward to the opportunity to hear from members of the Hornet Family on this important topic.

Mark Hendricks to be VP for IRT and CIO

Nov. 10, 2022 - I am pleased to announce that after a competitive national search, Mark Hendricks has accepted the position of vice president for Information Resources and Technology and chief information officer, effective Dec. 1.

Mark joined the Sacramento State IRT team in March 2018 as the campus information security officer, where his duties included managing the Identity Management and Systems Operations teams. He is a recognized leader in the CSU, with nearly 25 years of information technology experience including IT roles at CSU Chico and Cal Poly Humboldt, where he also served as an adjunct faculty member. In December 2019, Mark stepped up to provide leadership continuity as interim VP and CIO when Christine Miller Divine departed.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Humboldt State and is certified as an Information Systems Security Professional. He is currently working on a master’s in Public Administration at CSU San Bernardino. Before his time working in higher education, Mark served for four years in the U.S. Navy and worked as a commercial fishing captain in Alaska.

It is rather an understatement to say that Vice President Hendricks has been a change management leader at Sacramento State. Just three months after he assumed his interim post, the pandemic struck. Mark’s demonstrated commitment, energy, and ideas for enabling our campus to maintain continuity have been crucial during periods of incremental and radical change. Under his leadership, teams were mobilized, equipment purchased, paper processes digitized, and technology equity and accessibility needs met. These collective efforts provided the critical bridge supporting faculty, staff, and students through one of the most difficult periods in our University’s 75-year history.

Simultaneously, Mark oversaw strategic, operational work including formalizing IT governance groups, aligning the campus IT project and budgeting processes, and strengthening operational standards, practices, and procurement safeguards to ensure campus network and device security. Under Mark’s leadership, IRT updated campus systems for accessibility, inclusivity, and compliance, and improved the way the campus engages with IT through approachable, simplified communications, service, and outreach.

Mark has demonstrated commitment to Sacramento State’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and antiracism initiatives through his work launching an inaugural campus IT DEI Council and revamping recruitment processes to support a diverse IT workforce. His commitment to student success and technology equity is a hallmark of his leadership across his roles, and I am confident that his investment in the future of Sacramento State IT will help us to evolve and innovate the way the campus teaches, learns, and works. As he says:

“This work matters because it’s not work – for me, it’s a calling. Our students are counting on us to support them during their time with us, and to provide foundational technology experience, service, support, and innovation that carries them into their own successful futures. I am excited to continue redefining what’s possible for Sacramento State as vice president and CIO.”

I extend my sincere thanks to the members of the hiring committee for their diligence and time during this process. Please join me in congratulating Mark in his permanent role as VP & CIO.

Stingers Up!

Reminder: Town hall is Wednesday, 11/9, at 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 7, 2022 - The campus and community town hall will be 4:30 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the University Union Ballroom. Please plan to join us at 4 p.m. for refreshments before it begins.

The town hall, scheduled in response to antisemitic symbols and hate language found on and near campus earlier this semester, will focus on the themes of collective healing, communal awareness, and collaborative action. The moderators, Professor Harvey Stark from Humanities and Religious Studies and Michael Nguyen from Inclusive Excellence, will be joined by Jewish community leaders, professors, and other stakeholders to discuss the history and impact of antisemitism and other forms of white supremacy and to help direct future campus actions. Please submit questions before the event so that community concerns can be reflected in the sessions and inform future collaborative action.

Virtual attendance is possible through a Zoom webinar. Captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided for in-person and virtual formats. Please RSVP and submit questions by completing the online form. Parking will be free with no permits required 3-7 p.m. the day of the event in Parking Structure 3 (PS3), near the University Union. Accessible parking is available in PS3 as well as Lot 5 and Lot 6.

I hope you will join us as we come together as a Hornet Family to listen, to learn, and to support one another.

It's been a great ride

Nov. 2, 2022 - Well, it’s been a great ride. It’s been a great ride because of you. But as of July 2023, it’s time to “hang ‘em up.” It's time to move on.

Please watch this video message from Jody and me.

You can access a full transcript of this video, here.

RSVP now for the Nov. 9 campus and community town hall

Oct. 28, 2022 - Earlier this semester, images of swastikas were found on and near campus, some accompanied by hate language. I said in a message to campus last month that we must continue to condemn strongly such hate symbols and language. However, in addition to denouncing hate, we must find ways to create an environment where people can learn from, respect, and care for one another. To provide space for collective healing, communal awareness, and collaborative action, we will hold a campus and community town hall, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the University Union Ballroom. Please plan to join us at 4:00 for refreshments before the town hall begins.

The town hall will feature sessions on the themes of collective healing, communal awareness, and collaborative action. Sessions will be moderated by Professor Harvey Stark, chair of the Humanities and Religious Studies department, and Michael Nguyen, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence. They ask that questions be submitted before the event so the largest number of voices can be heard. Issues raised by submitted questions will be reflected in the sessions and will inform future collaborative action.

Virtual attendance is possible through a Zoom webinar. Captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided for in-person and virtual formats. To request additional accommodations, please email events@csus.edu by Nov. 1. Please RSVP and submit questions by completing the online form. Parking will be free with no permits required 3-7 p.m. the day of the event in Parking Structure 3 (PS3), near the University Union. Accessible parking is available in PS3 as well as Lot 5 and Lot 6.

I look forward to this opportunity for us to come together as a Hornet Family to listen, to learn, and to support one another.

Campus safety information and resources

Oct. 27, 2022 - As you may have heard, multiple sexual assaults are reported to have happened on or near campus this semester. I want to clarify that there has not been a fourth assault, rather, there are three incidents known to police at this time.

An incident reported in the police department crime logs on Oct. 21 was of an alleged assault that had been reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity in September and shared with campus in a Timely Warning notice earlier this month. I share this information now because I want everyone to know that we do not believe that there is currently a heightened risk to the campus community. However, just one incident is too many, and I want to acknowledge the fear and anxiety that these attacks have created.

We are a caring campus, and we must remain vigilant to ensure it is safe and secure, and be deliberate in our efforts to protect each other and ourselves. I want to emphasize that Sacramento State remains a safe place, and that the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff is the University’s top priority.

Sacramento State is equipped with 200 Blue Light 24-hour emergency phones throughout campus, including in residential housing areas, which provide a direct line to emergency personnel. The interactive campus safety map includes all emergency Blue Light locations. Sac State Police Department personnel regularly patrol campus, and dispatchers responding to calls to 916-278-6000 can quickly reach them. Please make sure you have that number programmed into your phone. You can also call 911 from any campus phone. The Hornet Safety Escort Program can be utilized by calling 916-278-7260, or you can contact Sac State police for an escort when on campus at night. Individuals can be proactive by engaging in personal safety measures such as walking in groups or pairs, carrying a flashlight, whistle, and or pepper spray. If you see suspicious people or vehicles, go to a place of safety and immediately reach out to campus police. You can get more information about campus safety resources on our website.

If you or someone you know needs support, several campus resources are available.

Thank you for your continued care for one another. Together we can keep Sacramento State a safe and secure campus.

Today is International Pronouns Day

Oct. 19, 2022 - Today, Sacramento State proudly endorses International Pronouns Day. Using correct gender pronouns is a way to convey fundamental respect and to affirm human dignity. It is also an important element of creating an inclusive environment for people of all gender identities. As part of our commitment to becoming a more inclusive campus, we continue to recognize and celebrate the intersectional identities of all members of the Hornet Family, and acknowledge and affirm the spectrum of sexuality and the continuum of gender identity. Sacramento State should be a place where all people can engage and be accepted as their authentic self.

Students may add pronouns in their CMS Student Center, which will update automatically to Canvas. Faculty may add their pronouns in Canvas, and faculty and staff may add pronouns to the Meet Us webpages for their program areas or departments. Members of the campus community may also add pronouns to their email signatures and business cards. To learn more about pronouns and why they are important, please visit MyPronouns.org and the Inclusive Excellence Pronouns FAQ webpage.

My pronouns are he/him/his, and I am proud to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ members of our Hornet Family. Please join me, the PRIDE Center, the Queer & Trans Faculty & Staff Association, and the Hornet Family in celebrating the evolution of identity and pronouns by showcasing your pronouns today and every day.

This week we also celebrate PRIDE Week as a part of LGBTQ+ History Month. Today, all members of the Hornet Family are invited to Queer Picnic with UNiQUE at noon in Serna Plaza. Bring your lunch and come out to enjoy live music and make custom pronouns flairs. This evening, students are invited to join Student Health and Counseling Services and the PRIDE Center for Mingling Over Mocktails, which includes pronoun sharing and karaoke. Tomorrow, Oct. 20, don’t miss the Pride Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Library Quad. Tomorrow is also Spirit Day, a day to wear purple to raise awareness about suicides of gay teenagers related to bullying. For more details, be sure to check out the full list of events the PRIDE Center is putting on this week to celebrate PRIDE Week.

I hope everyone will take some time to learn more about inclusivity and diversity around gender and pronouns. For example, according to the American Psychological Association, the use of the term “preferred pronouns” implies that gender is a choice. Instead of asking people their “preferred pronouns,” ask what their “identified pronouns,” “self-identified pronouns,” or simply their “pronouns” are. The California State University has a Diversity and Inclusivity Style Guide that offers guidelines for speaking to or about particular groups of people.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to an episode of the Beyond J podcast, which explores the power of pronouns, and watch this short video montage created by Strategic Student Support Programs to celebrate International Pronouns Day. Stingers Up!

Voter information for the upcoming general election

Oct. 17, 2022 - Sacramento State is devoted to the civic engagement of our students, and I am pleased that the entire campus community again has made participation in this year’s election a priority. As I have said before, the simple act of voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and has never been more important. Our state’s general election is on Nov. 8, 2022, when we will vote for governor, legislators, and local officeholders, and on seven statewide propositions.

A new state law requires ballots to be mailed to all California registered voters, but polling places will still be open. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24, but eligible voters are encouraged to do so well in advance. You can register to vote and check your registration status online.

To vote in California, you must be:

  • A United States citizen and California resident.
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day.
  • Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
  • Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

Voters can return their ballots by mail or use a ballot drop box. A drop box in the front lobby of the Welcome Center is accessible during normal business hours through Election Day.

Sacramento State again will host a Vote Center at the Welcome Center. The Vote Center, operated by the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections, replaces the traditional Election Day-only polling places. It will be open for the three days before the election and on Election Day. All registered voters in Sacramento County can vote in person or drop off their completed ballots.

The Vote Center’s schedule is:

  • 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday-Monday, Nov. 5-7.
  • 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 (Election Day).

The Vote Center also will allow Sacramento County residents same-day registration and voting. Those ballots will not be counted until after the county elections office has verified registration, so it’s best to register before Oct. 24. Also at the Vote Center, Sacramento County voters can pick up replacement ballots, update voter registration information (i.e., change of address), and obtain voting materials in multiple languages.

I sincerely hope that each eligible member of the Hornet Family will register to vote and participate in this year’s election. For more information, please visit Sacramento State’s voting website.

Save the date for a campus and community town hall

Oct. 14, 2022 - In response to the swastikas and hate language found on and near campus last month, we pledged to hold a town hall to provide an opportunity for us to come together to show solidarity with Jewish and other communities targeted by hateful messages, raise awareness about antisemitism, and publicly condemn all instances of hate. Though we hoped to hold the town hall quickly, we also wanted to honor and avoid conflicting with the various religious holidays throughout October. The format and content are still being planned, but I hope that you will save the date and then attend the campus and community town hall set for 4:30 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the University Union Ballroom.

I will share more information, including remote options for attendance, as soon as possible. I look forward to this opportunity for us to come together as a Hornet Family to listen, to learn, and to support one another. Stingers Up!

Please join the Our Promise Campaign

Oct. 13, 2022 - For over six decades, California state employees have raised millions of dollars for charities through the Our Promise Campaign. Sacramento State is honored to support the 65th year of this incredible program that has had a significant impact on our communities. The Our Promise Campaign offers a heartfelt way for state employees to support charitable organizations in which they believe through convenient payroll deductions.

Through Our Promise, Sacramento State continues to demonstrate that we care. Now more than ever, we must find ways to support and enrich our fellow Californians. Donating to a local charity or to Sacramento State can be one of the many lifelines that our Anchor University extends to our region.

To learn more about the campaign and the types of organizations to which you can donate, visit the Our Promise About Page, where you will find resources about the campaign, a timeline, and more. You can learn more by watching the Our Promise introduction video. Our Promise also has shared a video with instructions about setting up your account.

Once again, I am challenging the Hornet Family not only to increase the number of donors from the previous year but also to bolster the overall donation total. I know we can succeed because the Hornet Family gives from the heart. Please consider giving to one of the many worthy organizations that need our help. Also, if there is a Sacramento State program that you would like to support, you can find more information about online giving and payroll deduction options on our Sacramento State Guide to Giving page.

Thank you for your generosity. Stingers Up!

Complimentary Homecoming football game tickets for all faculty and staff

Oct. 11, 2022 - Jody and I would like to invite all University faculty, staff, and their families to attend the Homecoming Festival and football game on Saturday, Oct. 29. The Hornets will take on the Idaho Vandals at 6 p.m. at Hornet Stadium. All current and emeriti faculty and staff can reserve up to four (4) complimentary game tickets here. In honor of Sac State’s 75th Anniversary, all current and emeriti faculty and staff can claim one limited edition 75th Anniversary jersey while supplies last. Reserve yours now by filling out the request form. Visit the Homecoming web page for more information on all Homecoming Week activities.

Let’s show our Hornet Pride by packing Hornet Stadium for Homecoming and all remaining home games. I look forward to cheering on our Hornets together. Stingers Up!

Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day

Oct. 10, 2022 - Today is Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to honor, celebrate, and pay homage to the native people of this nation and the original stewards of the land – the Nisenan, Puhtwihn, Miwok, Wintu, and Maidu – on which Sacramento State stands, as well as our Native American staff, faculty, and students, and all indigenous people in our state.

Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate the positive impact that Native Americans have had and continue to have on American society. It is also an opportunity to recognize the lived experiences of the native people of the Americas while acknowledging past and present injustices. At Sacramento State, we acknowledge that we have work to do to ensure that our Native American students have equitable access and opportunities on our campus. This work includes recruiting, hiring, and retaining more Native American faculty and staff. Further, we look forward to the grand opening of the ‘Esaḱtima Center in Lassen Hall, which will be a gathering place for our Native American students and the entire campus.

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, and every day, I ask the Hornet Family to reflect on and celebrate the knowledge, history, and diverse cultures of indigenous peoples. As we do so, let us denounce white supremacy and all organizations or practices that support it so that we can build a better future together. We are a Hornet Family. Stingers Up!

We continue to stand with DREAMers and the DACA program

Oct. 6, 2022 - Sacramento State continues to be dedicated to supporting our DREAMers, DACA students, and mixed-status students. As I have said before, I will not stop my unwavering support. We are a Hornet Family.

I am deeply saddened that the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 5 affirmed a lower court ruling that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is unlawful. However, the court stayed its decision and returned the case to the lower court in light of a new Department of Homeland Security DACA rule that goes into effect Oct. 31. The case now goes back to a judge in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas who will determine the legality of DACA with consideration of this new rule. The Oct. 5 ruling protects the status of current DACA recipients, but the impact and the future of the program and what it means for thousands of young people in this country remain unclear.

I want to reaffirm Sacramento State’s commitment to the success of our DACA students and employees and our DREAMers. Although uncertainty remains, we stand with you and will continue to support you. Below is important information about the current DACA policy:

  • Current DACA cases remain valid, and people with DACA status continue to receive protection.
  • DACA renewals will continue. People with DACA status or who had it in the past are still eligible for the program and should renew at least five months before the expiration date.
  • First-time DACA applications are on hold. No new DACA applications will be approved, including pending cases.

Our Dreamer Resource Center (DRC) offers programming and resources to support DACA students, including free immigration consultations with an immigration attorney. If you have a pending DACA case, or have questions about your DACA eligibility, I encourage you to contact the center for guidance and to schedule an appointment with an immigration attorney. To reach the DRC, email drc@csus.edu or call 916-278-7734. The center can connect students to free one-on-one counseling and socio-emotional support. I also encourage students, faculty, and staff to visit the center’s website and become acquainted with the services offered so we all can support DACA students and DREAMers going forward.

The DACA program has allowed thousands of young people who came to the United States without documentation to pursue their academic, personal, and professional goals. DACA has made a positive difference for many, including members of the Hornet Family, and the Oct. 5 ruling highlights the critical need for a permanent solution to this issue. DACA recipients and our undocumented youth have lived with uncertainty for far too long, and DREAMers deserve a clear path to permanent status and citizenship. I am proud to join the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration in calling on Congress to act now to protect DACA recipients and DREAMers. We must find an inclusive solution that allows young people to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

To our DREAMers, DACA students, and mixed-status students, we stand with you, we support you, and we will continue to fight for equity and justice. You will forever be important members of the Hornet Family, and together we will continue to advocate for your rights.

Campus holiday schedule for the 2022-23 academic year

Oct. 3, 2022 - Though we are only a few weeks into the fall semester, I know that it is not too early for people to start planning and looking forward to the semester break. The holiday schedule for the remainder of the academic year is listed below:

Friday, Nov. 11
Campus is closed in observance of Veterans Day.

Thursday, Nov. 24
Campus is closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day.

Friday, Nov. 25
Campus is closed. This is an academic holiday for Academic Year (AY) faculty and other AY Unit 3 employees. Staff, management, and Unit 3 employees holding 12-month appointments may use a vacation or personal holiday to cover the day. Employees who choose to work that day should contact their appropriate manager for further direction.

Friday, Dec. 23
Campus is closed (anticipated total of up to eight hours tentatively gifted from Gov. Newsom and President Nelsen).

Monday, Dec. 26 – Monday, Jan. 2
Campus is closed in observance of Christmas Day, Admission Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, and New Year’s Day. The campus will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Monday, Jan. 16, 2023
Campus is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Friday, Mar. 31, 2023
Campus is closed in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.

Monday, May 29, 2023
Campus is closed in observance of Memorial Day.

Thank you for all that you continue to do for our students and each other. Stingers Up!

Yet again, we strongly condemn acts of hate

Sept. 29, 2022 - I am saddened and disgusted to share that today an employee reported that another swastika has been found, this time defacing a sign in the Arboretum with the symbol and the words, “White pride nation wide.” The sign has been taken down so that the hate symbol and accompanying hate language can be removed, and we have asked campus police to investigate. In fact, legislation signed by Gov. Newsom this month makes it a crime to use hate symbols, including the Nazi swastika, on K-12 and college campuses, among other places.

We must continuously and vociferously condemn hate speech and hate symbols. This type of defacement is deeply troubling and hurtful and does not reflect the caring community that we want and need to be for our Hornet Family.

To show solidarity with Jewish and other communities targeted by such hateful messages, raise awareness about antisemitism, and publicly condemn all instances of hate, we are working to schedule a campus town hall in the near future. The town hall will provide an opportunity for us to come together as a Hornet Family to listen, to learn, and to support one another. We are consulting with rabbis and other leaders of local faith communities to identify a date for the town hall that will not interfere with the Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur and other holidays. We will share a date, time, and place as soon as the details are finalized.

When we found two swastikas in early September, we committed to doing quarterly campus walk-throughs. The first of those is scheduled for early October. Inclusive Excellence has been working to add hate symbols and hate messages to the list of items that should be reported using the Acts of Bias Reporting Tool. Data collected through that tool help inform the University’s efforts to be proactive in addressing these issues. If you see something, please report it immediately. We must work together to create and maintain an antiracist campus where everyone feels welcome and safe.

I know that many in our community are feeling pain and anxiety by the appearance of these hateful symbols on our campus and in our community, and I ask that you continue to support one another.

Open forums for candidates for VP IRT are next week

Sept. 27, 2022 - After a nationwide search, we are pleased to welcome to campus next week four outstanding finalists for the position of vice president for Information Resources and Technology (IRT) and chief information officer. Finalist interviews will begin Monday, Oct. 3.

We encourage you to participate in open forums with each finalist. Campus community attendance for the open forums can be in person or via livestream. A link to the livestream is included below for each candidate. Resumes/CVs for the candidates are available by clicking on their names. ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided. If you require additional accommodations, please email events@csus.edu.

Monday, Oct. 3, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Shawna J. Dark, Ph.D.
Chief technology officer, assistant vice provost for Undergraduate Education – Research, Teaching, and Learning, UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
University Union, Green and Gold Room, third Floor
Watch the Livestream

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Mark Hendricks
Interim chief information officer and vice president, Information Resources and Technology, Sacramento State
Sacramento, CA
University Union, Cottonwood Suite III, second Floor
Watch the livestream

Thursday, Oct. 6, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Rafael Espinosa, III
Chief information officer and associate vice president, CSU Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
University Union, Green and Gold Room, third Floor
Watch the livestream

Friday, Oct. 7, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Zach Gorman, Ed.D.
Chief information officer, Bradley University
Peoria, IL
University Union, Summit Room, third Floor
Watch the livestream

I commend the search committee for the care its members took in identifying high-quality candidates for this critical position. I extend my thanks to the committee members for their diligence and time during this process. We had an impressive pool and an outstanding initial round of interviews. I hope you will attend the open forums next week.

Please use this survey to provide comments and feedback about each candidate. The survey will open Monday, Oct. 3, and close at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Nikki Khamsouksay at nikki.khamsouksay@csus.edu.

Speaking out in support of Iranian women

Sept. 27, 2022 - Over the past week, Sacramento State students, alumni, faculty, and staff with family or other close ties to Iran have asked me to publicly share my support for the rights of Iranian women, given the horrific death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being detained for wearing her hijab too loosely.

I am compelled to add my voice to the chorus of those speaking out in support of women’s rights in Iran and anywhere else tyranny rears its ugly head. At Sac State, we are committed to the rights of all humans, wherever they are, and we stand by all members of the Hornet Family.

These events can cause a range of emotions, including stress and anxiety. You are not alone. Students who need support should visit Student Health and Counseling Services online, or call 916-278-6461. We have counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online and at 800-367-7474.

Rosh Hashanah begins Sunday

Sept. 23, 2022 - This Sunday marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 25, and is celebrated through nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Rosh Hashanah is a time of celebration for the Jewish community to look back and reflect on the previous year while looking forward to set intentions for the year ahead. Yom Kippur, which will be celebrated this year on Oct. 4-5, is a time of atonement that includes fasting for many Jews. To those who will be observing these High Holidays, I wish you Shanah Tovah, a happy, healthy, and sweet new year.

I do not usually send out messages to acknowledge religious holidays, but in light of recent attacks against our Jewish community in the form of vandalism on and around local campuses, and the general rise in antisemitism we are witnessing nationwide, I want to take this opportunity to make sure that the Jewish members of the Hornet Family feel seen and supported. I hope everyone took the time to read the message from Inclusive Excellence about multi-faith religious and cultural inclusion. It is my wish that in the coming year, people of all religions, backgrounds, and identities feel safe, supported, and a true sense of belonging on campus, in the community, and in the world. Stingers Up!

Reminder: Sac State's 75th birthday party is this Thursday

Sept. 20, 2022 - This Thursday, Sept. 22, the Hornet Family will gather in the Main Quad at 10 a.m. for a birthday party that no one will ever forget. Come out to sing “Happy Birthday” to Sac State, and help Herky blow out the candles on our birthday cake as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the first day of classes at Sacramento State. There will be treats for everyone, music, photo areas, and exhibit booths from campus organizations.

ASL interpretation and captioning for the program will be provided. Please contact University Events to request additional accommodations at events@csus.edu.

At 11 a.m. we will gather for this year’s Swarm photo, which I expect to be our biggest and best yet. All members of the campus and the community are welcome.

I am looking forward to celebrating together. Stingers Up!

Call for nominations for honorary doctorates

Sept. 19, 2022 - Sacramento State’s honorary degrees selection committee invites nominations for honorary doctorates to be conferred during 2023 Commencement.

The California State University (CSU) awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit humanity, CSU campuses, the state, the nation, and/or the world. Recipients serve as examples to be recognized and honored for their exemplary contributions. More information about honorary doctorates, including past recipients, can be found on our Honorary Degrees page.

To learn more about the criteria and to submit a nomination, please review the nomination form. The submission deadline is Oct. 21, 2022. If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Gladys Glaude at (916) 278-4952 or gladysg@csus.edu.

Information about the upcoming general election

Sept. 15, 2022 - Sacramento State is devoted to the civic engagement of our students, and I am pleased that once again Associated Students Inc. (ASI) has made participation in this year’s election a priority. The simple act of voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and has never been more important.

Our nation’s general election is on Nov. 8, 2022, when we will vote for governor, legislators, local officeholders, and on a number of state propositions.

All registered California voters will be mailed a ballot starting 29 days before Election Day. Polling places will be open on campus, as well as across Sacramento and the state. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 24, 2022, but eligible voters are encouraged to do so well in advance, as ballots will begin to be mailed in early October. You can register to vote and check your existing registration status on the California Secretary of State’s website.

To vote in California, you must be:

  • A United States citizen and a California resident.
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day.
  • Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for a felony conviction.
  • Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

I sincerely hope that each eligible individual will register to vote and take part in this year’s election. For more information, please visit Sacramento State’s voting website. Stingers Up!

Celebrating National Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week

Sept. 13, 2022 - This week, Sacramento State joins other Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in celebrating National HSIs Week with the goal of raising awareness about the work being done by the nation’s 559 HSIs, work that is a critical to ensuring access to educational opportunities and empowering Hispanic youth. On Monday, President Biden issued a Proclamation acknowledging the important work HSIs do to advance equity for all traditionally underserved students. We have increasingly been doing this critical work at Sacramento State since our founding.

As I shared in my fall address, the earliest data we have about the ethnicity of our students is from 1977, when just 3.4% of our students identified as Hispanic/Latino. By 1997, that number had grown to 12.5%. It wasn’t until 2013 that our undergraduate enrollment of Hispanic students reached 25%, earning us the designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). This year, 36.6% of our students report that they are Hispanic/Latinx, making this the largest population of students on our campus.

The HSI designation, an official certification by the U.S. Department of Education, allows us to apply for grants specifically created for HSIs to help recruit and support Hispanic and low income students. Since 2015, Sacramento State has received $16 million in such grants. Most recently, in 2021 we received $8 million in grants to support two major projects. The first grant, a $3 million Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) grant from the Department of Education, launched the Degree with a Purpose: Integration of Career and Development and Financial Wellness Into the College Experience project. We also received a $5 million HSI STEM grant to fund Stem4Equity, a project to create more culturally responsive courses to align with employer needs while helping students succeed in courses with high fail rates. Our faculty, staff, and students are doing incredible work on these and other exciting programs.

But we still have work to do to better serve our Latinx students. For example, we must extend our Anchor University efforts to ensure that parents and families of our Latinx students are engaged, supported, and honored. While I am pleased that this year we welcomed 10 new Latinx faculty members, we must continue our deliberate, intentional hiring practices to ensure that our faculty, staff, and leadership better resemble our students. We must also acknowledge the rich tapestry of our Latinx community, recognizing and honoring the diversity therein through programs and services that support and enrich identities and develop a sense of familia on our campus.

The Serna Center and the College Assistance Migrant Program are hosting La Bienvenida 2022 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the Library Quad. This community-building event introduces and reconnects Chicanx/Latinx students, staff, and faculty to Sacramento State and the Hornet Family and features speakers, music, and snacks.

Sept. 15 marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and there will be numerous events on campus to honor and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanics and Hispanic culture. As a part of this month of celebrations and events, on Oct. 1 Sacramento State will host the 10th annual Feria de Educacion in partnership with Univision 19. This free community event empowers Spanish-speaking students and parents with the information and resources they need to access higher education.

I am proud that Sacramento State is an HSI, and I am even more proud of the work that we have done and will continue to do to ensure more students can access higher education and achieve their dream of being Hechos en Sac State.

Stingers Up!

Remembering 9/11

Sept. 9, 2022 - It is hard to imagine that it has been 21 years since our nation was forever changed by the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001. For many, including myself, it still feels like yesterday.

This Sunday, Sept. 11, let us all take a moment to remember all who were lost that day, and to honor the bravery of the first responders who heroically rushed into burning buildings. And let us not forget the loved ones – the children, the mothers, fathers, wives, partners – who were left behind. Let us also remember and honor the members of our armed forces who were deployed in response to the Sept. 11 attacks and who have served and sacrificed for our nation.

To honor the 21st anniversary of this solemn occasion, please watch this short 9/11 commemoration video. I’m sure that you will find the experience moving, as I do.

We will never forget those who were lost. We must not. They are who we are.

Announcing the launch of Sac State's Policy Library

Sept. 9, 2022 - I am pleased to share that the Sacramento State Policy Library is ready for campus use. The Sacramento State Policy Library replaces the University Policy Manual as the repository for all University policies. This improved new system features multiple ways to search for University policies including keyword, title, area (e.g., Academic Affairs, University Advancement, etc.), and policy owner, and it makes University policies more accessible to the campus community. It also includes persistent URLs for policies, as well as policy histories as policies are updated.

I would like to thank the cross-divisional team of Dr. Nadya Lucas, Kathy Garcia, Dr. Adam Rechs, Karyl Burwell, Amy Brown, Sagan Bachtold, Dr. Margaret Hwang, and Ántonia Peigahi for their work and efforts over the previous academic year and summer.

As we transition to this new system, the University Policy Manual will be maintained, but not updated, for at least the 2022/2023 academic year. Please reach out to Ántonia Peigahi, director of Policy and Records Management at antonia.peigahi@csus.edu if you have questions.

Stingers Up!

You're invited to Sac State's 75th birthday party and swarm photo

Sept. 8, 2022 - Let’s have a birthday party that no one will ever forget – a birthday party that Sac State so rightly deserves.

Please join me and the rest of the Hornet Family in the Main Quad at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the first day of classes at Sacramento State. Come out to sing “Happy Birthday” to Sac State, and help Herky blow out the candles on our birthday cake. There will be treats for everyone, music, photo areas, and exhibit booths from campus organizations. Don’t miss your opportunity at 11 a.m. to be in this year’s Swarm photo, which I expect to be our biggest and best yet. All members of the campus and the community are welcome.

ASL interpretation and captioning for the program will be provided. Please contact University Events to request additional accommodations at events@csus.edu.

I look forward to celebrating Sacramento State’s 75th Anniversary throughout the 2022-23 academic year. Stingers Up!

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week

Sept. 7, 2022 - This week we honor National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 4-10. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students, claiming the lives of 1,100 students each year (Active Minds, 2018). Youth and young adult mental health and suicidal ideation has become a public health crisis over the past several years and has been compounded by the pandemic and other local and national events.

Thanks to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (S. 2661), the U.S. has a new national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The fully operational new number, 988, is easy to remember and accepts calls to better address the critical issue of suicide prevention in our country. Another source of help is the Crisis Text Line, which you can contact by texting HOME or STEVE to 741741.

At Sacramento State, for immediate help during business hours students can come to Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) in The WELL to meet with the urgent care counselors, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fridays.

We are proud to provide peer counselors who are ready and dedicated to support our students, providing nonjudgmental, confidential meetings about any topic students want to discuss. The peer counselors are not licensed professionals but, rather, students trained to be supportive, helpful listeners, and problem solvers alongside their peers. They are trained to refer the students to additional care and crisis support as necessary, and can help connect students to other health and wellness support programs on campus. Students can book an appointment and learn more about peer counselors online. Come out to The WELL from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 7, to meet our peer counselors and learn more about the program.

SHCS also offers students holistic and integrated physical, mental, and emotional health care with licensed clinicians and mental health providers. Please visit the SHCS webpage or call 916-278-6461 for additional information. Another valuable resource is the Red Folder, located on each campus desktop, which contains information about how to best support a student in distress.

For employees, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to employees and their families (dependents and permanent household members) in assessing and resolving personal problems that may be affecting well-being. Visit the EAP webpage for more information. Another valuable resource is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an organization that provides education, community groups, and support to those who have experienced suicidal ideation or have lost someone to suicide.

We must continue to take care of one another. A connection to campus and community support creates a sense of belonging that can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and suicidal ideation, and can increase support for mental health. Let us continue to be a Healing University by remembering and honoring those whose lives have been lost to suicide, and by taking action to help raise awareness surrounding the topic of mental health and suicide so that no one ever feels alone or afraid to seek support.

President's 2022-23 Budget Update

Sept. 6, 2022 - This past fiscal year has continued to bring many challenges as we shift back to on-campus work while still dealing with the pandemic. For instance, the budget projections and state outlook changed several times during the past several months. In the May Revise, Gov. Newsom confirmed the following increases to the California State University’s ongoing base general fund appropriation of the 2022-23 budget:

  • $211.1 million General Fund unallocated.
  • $81 million General Fund to support enrollment growth.
  • $12 million General Fund to support foster youth.

Newsom also announced many one-time allocations, including $100 million for deferred maintenance and energy efficiency projects. Notably, he committed to a multiyear compact with the CSU through 2026-27 to provide general fund base increases of 5% per year (2.8% of the total CSU Operating Fund). This year, I asked the University Budget Advisory Committee (UBAC) to consider two scenarios for baseline funding: 1), where we maintain the same allocation as last year; and 2), a scenario where $3 million in additional baseline could be given to divisions for new positions and operations.

We were optimistic about the state’s economic outlook and hopeful that it would translate to an increase to baseline for the CSU. However, the additional $100 million from the Legislature was later reversed. Smaller ongoing allocations were added for specific programs, which include:

  • $35 million for Graduation Initiative 2025.
  • $10 million for Student Basic Needs.
  • $8 million for Project Rebound.
  • $8 million for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program.
  • $300,000 for the Center for California Studies.
  • $200,000 for Cradle-to-Career.
  • $100,000 for the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California.

The final one-time allocations from the state totaled approximately $1.1 billion, with $125 million for deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects, $497 million for student housing projects on certain campuses (unfortunately, not ours), and $460 million for a variety of projects at several campuses (again, not ours) and the Chancellor’s Office. The final Budget Act of 2022 includes $365.7 million in new ongoing funding for the CSU.

While we appreciate the state’s investment in the CSU, the reality of this year’s budget cycle is that our Sources and Uses remain tight, with little extra baseline. Last year, we were able to restore the divisions’ baseline from the pandemic reductions and give out some strategic ongoing funding. This year, however, there is little funding to distribute to the divisions outside of supporting 7% salary increases and COVID-19 service awards, plus a portion of the $3 million scenario. Therefore, divisions will need to be strategic with the same resources as last year and find efficiencies to offset inflation. Funding for our employees’ raises was our top priority, and any unallocated baseline was used to offset increases to divisional salary costs. Faculty and staff salaries have remained flat for two or more years and though the strategic imperatives remain incredibly important to the future of Sac State, we are committed to focusing on the welfare of our existing employees. The CSU was not given enough state allocation for mandatory cost increases to fully cover the salary increases. Thus, we are not able to fully implement the $3 million UBAC scenario at this time. We only had a fraction of that remaining in baseline to allocate. After a careful review of the divisional requests and in consultation with Cabinet, we are providing baseline for the following new positions and expenses, totaling the remaining unallocated baseline of $1,198,500:

  • Academic Affairs - Faculty New Hires: $250,000
  • Admin and Business Affairs - Clery UBIT Director: $84,000
  • Admin and Business Affairs - Emergency Operations Director: $84,000
  • Inclusive Excellence - Title IX Investigator: $84,000
  • Public Affairs and Advocacy - Local Relations Director: $84,000
  • OIREP - Associate Director: $118,000
  • Student Success Operating Support - Chatbot: $125,000
  • Student Affairs - First Star Director: $65,000
  • Student Affairs - Project Rebound Coordinator: $50,000
  • Student Affairs - Regional Admissions Recruiter: $52,500
  • University Advancement - Annual Giving Associate: $52,000
  • University Advancement Operating Support - Donor CRM: $125,000
  • Positiion pool for final offer variances: $25,000
  • Total Baseline: $1,198,500

For the above approved positions, associated benefits will not be required from the divisions. However, any other new positions added this year through the exception process will require funding from the divisions to the benefits pool to cover associated costs.

Our Sources for the 2022-23 budget total $395,769,000. This allocation does not include the additional Graduation Initiative 2025 (GI) and Basic Needs funding, which will come as a separate allocation. Our Uses also total $395,769,000, which directs funding primarily to compensation and benefits increases. Salary increases effective in 2021-22 and 2022-23 are an estimated additional $15,173,000 for all operating fund units on campus. This increase necessitated a $5,603,000 increase to the central benefits pool. While these raises are a step in the right direction for our employees, we must work together to see that the Legislature and the governor fully fund the CSU staff salary study in 2023-24 (at a cost of approximately $287 million). We must ensure that we are paying fair market rates for our talent.

In July, following UBAC’s advice, Cabinet approved the recommended increases to All University Expenses (AUEs) and 2022-23 Lottery allocations. Considering recent discussions since UBAC’s recommendation and the Final Budget memo, we are moving to fund $1,198,500 in divisional costs. For the one-time awards, I am authorizing an additional $200,000 for the implementation of University Advancement’s CRM and $100,000 for Hornet Launch. To offset these adjustments and keep the total one-time allocations under $10 million, we are reducing the following:

  • Academic Affairs: professional development reduced from $200,000 to $100,000 (there should be funding from the GI to help replenish the funds).
  • Administration and Business Affairs: lighting survey reduced from $200,000 to $100,000 (more of the work should be able to be done internally).
  • Inclusive Excellence: $75,000 block party eliminated (funding was given for events and grants last year); executive sponsorship reduced to $25,000 (the President’s Office already pays for most of these events).

I am grateful we are able to allocate a large amount of one-time funding this year. Although this $10 million puts pressure on our reserves, many of the one-time awards are for critical academic and infrastructure projects. The largest portion is to backfill Academic Affairs’ lecturer costs at $1,800,000. Unfortunately, we were not able to cover this cost with baseline, but continue to make doing so a priority for future years. The College of NSM will receive $426,505 for a new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer, replacing the one that suffered a catastrophic instrument failure in 2020. Construction awards include:

  • $755,000 for multiple renovation projects for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center, the MLK Center, the Scholarship Office, and space in Lassen Hall.
  • $640,000 for renovations in the Library, Kadema Hall, and an existing lab in Amador Hall.
  • $500,000 for various campus safety projects.
  • $280,000 for all gender and lactation rooms.

We are also dedicating $500,000 for additional loaner laptops for students, $300,000 for classroom refreshes, and $750,000 for a campuswide computer refresh.

I want to thank the vice presidents and deans for their collaboration on their requests for existing resources and focusing their one-time submissions on the University’s strategic imperatives. I also want to thank the members of UBAC for their commitment and dedication to making these difficult budget decisions. Lastly, thank you to the faculty and staff who have endured the last few years and persevered through the turbulence of the pandemic. I look forward to seeing many of you this fall on campus. Stingers Up!

We strongly condemn and will act against antisemitism on campus, beyond

Sept. 2, 2022 - On Thursday, Sept. 1, a student reported finding a swastika on a classroom wall, and this morning, an employee reported a swastika on J Street near the entrance to campus. We are working to remove the offensive images this morning. While I do not believe that the two instances are related, the appearance of these symbols on and near our campus is a reminder that we must consistently and proactively stand against antisemitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of hate on our campus, in our region, and in our nation. We condemn this and all expressions of hate. These symbols and what they stand for violate the values of the Hornet Family – they do not represent who we are.

Defacing property is a criminal act, and it erodes the culture of care and belonging that we are working so hard to cultivate at Sacramento State. University police are investigating these incidents. Perpetrators of such crimes will always be held accountable.

I want to commend the student who reported seeing the swastika in the classroom and the employee who reported the symbol near campus. If you see a symbol of hate or any other concerning images or language on campus, please report it using our campus anti-bias reporting tool. Reporting these incidents ensures that we can quickly remove hateful images and publicly condemn them.

But that is not enough. In consultation with Inclusive Excellence, we are crafting a new goal in our Antiracism and Inclusion Campus Action Plan which will codify how we will respond to this type of defacement. We will also be instituting regular walk-throughs of all campus property by administrators to ensure our environment reflects our culture of care. We must remain committed to proactively creating a campus culture that is safe and welcoming, and where everyone feels that they belong.

I will say it again and again: There is no place for hate at Sacramento State.

Tailgating at football game and campus tabling suspended due to heat

Sept. 1, 2022 - Due to the excessive heat that is anticipated over the next several days, and in consultation with Sacramento County public health officials, we have made the difficult decision to suspend tailgating activities at this Saturday’s football game. Assuming conditions are deemed safe by NCAA referees, kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Water stations will be available inside and outside of Hornet Stadium, and a cooling room will be open in The WELL before and during the game.

We also are suspending all student tabling across campus after 1 p.m. beginning today until further notice. When temperatures come down, the Student Organizations and Leadership team will notify student groups that restrictions on tabling have been lifted.

No matter what your weekend plans are, please make sure that you take necessary steps to stay cool, hydrated, and out of the heat as much as possible. Sacramento County has published tips about how to stay cool and signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Continue to take care of yourselves and each other. Stingers Up!

Updated game times for football, men's and women's soccer due to heat

Aug. 31, 2022 - It is exciting to see campus buzzing with activity once again. Students are back on campus taking classes, clubs are tabling around the quad, and even the parking lots are full. Several fall sports also are underway, and I hope you will come out to see our talented student athletes. Jody and I will be there. Unfortunately, because of the anticipated heat wave, we have decided to change some game schedules. Please note the following updated game times:

Let’s show our Hornet Pride and support our student athletes as we start what is sure to be a great season of competition. Remember, students get in free to games with a valid OneCard, and discounted tickets are available for faculty and staff. For football tickets, be sure to claim or purchase your tickets online.

Let the games begin. Stingers Up!

Thank you to all those who made Hornet Nest Fest a success

Aug. 30, 2022 - Thank you to all who made the 2022 Hornet Nest Fest, our student welcome-back event on Aug. 26, such a tremendous success. Being together on the Housing Quad with our students, their families, and other guests as they ate, played games, socialized, and danced, warmed my heart and fed my soul. I truly believe that our students and all the employees who were there working or volunteering felt the same.

I am extremely grateful for members of the Hornet Family who put together this outstanding event for the 6,400 students and their guests who claimed tickets. Staff and volunteers arrived at the Housing Quad well before 6 a.m. to start setting up, worked through the heat all day, and were there to greet our students with a smile until after 9 p.m. that night. I was particularly impressed by the efforts of our Sustainability team and the volunteers who worked diligently to ensure this was a low-to-zero waste event. Standing by the compost and recycle receptacles for hours directing people about how to sort their trash is a thankless but critical job. As usual, everyone went above and beyond for our students.

Please join me in thanking:

  • University Events: Director of University Events Gladys Glaude, Special Events Coordinator Leah Walukones, and Special Events Finance Analyst Carmen Zorick.
  • University Housing Services, Executive Director Samuel Jones, and Conference and Marketing Coordinator Joe Loera.
  • All the staff who helped plan and execute the event, including Aramark, Epicure Catering, Dining Commons, University Enterprises, Inc., Athletics, Campus Conservation, Housing Team, Facilities Management, Admissions and Outreach, Administration and Business Affairs, KSSU, Information Resources and Technology, University Communications, Student Health and Counseling Services, Risk Management Services, University Print and Mail, Central Receiving, Procurement and Contract Services, University Transportation and Parking Services, University Police Department, Services to Students with Disabilities, ASL and Deaf Studies Program, and Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Planning.
  • Hornet Nest Fest event volunteers.
  • Sac State Marching and Pep bands.
  • Herky.
  • Sac State Dance and Cheer.
  • Athletic Coaches and Student Athletes.
  • Metro Media.
  • Celebrations Party Rentals.
  • Marching Order.

I know this list does not include every person or group who helped make this event a success, so please know that whatever role you played, large or small, I am grateful for your help. We truly are a Hornet Family, and I am so proud that we are together again. Stingers up!

Archive of Presidential Communications