Thank you for making Commencement a success

May 23, 2023 - It was truly a joy and an honor to shake the hands of all of our graduates at my final Commencement as President of Sacramento State. We set yet another record for the number of eligible graduates, with 9,574 crossing the stage at Golden 1 Center last weekend. I will always cherish looking out from the stage at the excited graduates, the proud faculty, and the friends and family of our graduates celebrating in the stands.

The event exceeded my expectations. I am extremely grateful to all who contributed their time, energy, creativity, and even muscle to ensure that the seven ceremonies were such a success.

Please join me in thanking:

• University Events, with special thanks to director of University Events Gladys Glaude, Special Events coordinator Leah Walukones, and Special Events finance analyst Carmen Zorick.
• All the staff who helped plan and execute Commencement, including Information Resources and Technology, the Student Affairs Marketing team, Associated Students Inc., University Communications, University Print and Mail, Facilities, Central Receiving, Moving Services crew, Procurement and Contract Services, and the University Registrar.
• Commencement event volunteers and volunteer leads.
• Shiva Pillai from Institutional Research and Planning, and Seima Pech from Information Resources and Technology.
• MaiNhia Moua from the College of Continuing Education.
• Sacramento State Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, and soloist Jonathan Saatman.
• KSSU, DJ Louie, and Samuel Jones for serving as MCs for Grad Jam.
• Marching Order.
• Wilted Beauty Floral Design.

I know this list does not include every person or group who helped make Commencement a success, so please know that whatever role you played, large or small, I am grateful for your help. I will be forever amazed by the love and pride that Sacramento State shows to our graduates during each and every Commencement ceremony. We are a Hornet Family, and you did what families do. You showed up. I thank you. Stingers up!

Congratulations to the recipients of the Outstanding Staff Awards

May 17, 2023 - I am incredibly pleased to share the names of the recipients of the inaugural Outstanding Staff Awards. There were over 100 nominations, representing every division and a wide variety of departments and positions.

Upon the recommendation of the selection committee, two winners were chosen in the category of Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success due to the large number of nominees. The committee also recommended recognizing individuals whose work behind the scenes was exemplary. As such, we are awarding four individuals with the Behind the Scenes Hero Award.

Congratulations to these 2023 Outstanding Staff Award winners:

Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success

Bridie Gilllespie-Carinci, first year orientation coordinator
Shelly Bingel, administrative support coordinator, Humanities and Religious Studies

Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Matt Heilmann, instructional support coordinator, Communication Studies

Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Michele Vincent, lead interpreter, College of Education

Outstanding Contribution to Resource Development and Sustainability

Heather Crummett, budget analyst, College of Health and Human Services

Outstanding Contribution to Dedicated Community Involvement

Pia Wong, associate dean, College of Education

Outstanding Contribution to Wellness and Safety

Reva Wittenberg, assessment and workplace-wellness manager, Student Affairs

Jody Nelsen MVP Award

Gladys Glaude, director of University Events

Behind the Scenes Hero

Stella Pan, custodian, ABA
Carl Oakes, Network Infrastructure and Program security lead, IRT
Dante Jadavi, Payroll team lead, Human Resources
Janet Dumonchelle, pharmacist, Student Health and Counseling Services

Please RSVP now for the Outstanding Staff Award ceremony and reception, 2-4 p.m. July 6 in the University Union Ballroom. Winners are encouraged to invite family and friends, and I hope that the entire campus community will attend to celebrate these outstanding members of the Hornet Family. ASL to English interpretation will be provided for the program. For additional accommodations, please contact events@csus.edu by June 9.

Thank you to the members of the Selection Committee, who had an incredibly important and difficult job to do. I appreciate the time and careful consideration put into choosing this year’s awardees. I also thank the individuals who took the time to nominate someone.

Finally, to the winners, thank you for all you do for our students, for our faculty, for our staff, for our community, and for each other. I can’t wait to celebrate you on July 6. Stingers Up!

The old University Policy Manual has been retired

May 16, 2023 - I am pleased to share that the Sacramento State Policy Library is fully available for campus use, and that the old University Policy Manual has been retired. 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 by keyword, title, area (e.g., Academic Affairs, University Advancement, etc.), and policy owner. It makes University policies more accessible to the campus community. It includes persistent URLs for policies and policy histories, as policies are updated.

I thank the cross-divisional team of Dr. Nadya Lucas, Kathy Honeychurch, Dr. Adam Rechs, Karyl Burwell, Amy Brown, Sagan Bachtold, Dr. Margaret Hwang, and Ántonia Peigahi for their work on this important project.

Stingers Up!

Open Forums for Executive Director UEI, Inc. will occur next week

May 3, 2023 - Open forums for finalists for the position of executive director of University Enterprises, Inc. will be held via Zoom next week. Dates, times, and links for each forum are below. Candidate résumés can be accessed by clicking on each candidate’s name. Live captioning and ASL will be provided during each forum. Additional accommodations should be requested by 4 p.m. Thursday, May 4, by emailing events@csus.edu.

Jussi Tinnemeyer
Date: Monday, May 8
Time: 10:15-11 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/87266367577?from=addon
Meeting ID: 872 6636 7577

John Melikian
Date: Wednesday, May 10
Time: 10:15-11 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/87266367577?from=addon
Meeting ID: 872 6636 7577

Tom Roberts
Date: Friday, May 12
Time: 10:15-11 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/87266367577?from=addon
Meeting ID: 872 6636 7577

Please share your feedback about the candidates by completing this survey, which will open on Monday, May 8, and close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 19. Thank you for participating in this important search. Stingers Up!

Commencement will be held at Golden 1 Center

May 1, 2023 - Yesterday’s loss by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA playoffs was heartbreaking. However, we can now proceed with our plans to host Commencement ceremonies from May 19-21 at Golden 1 Center.

The Commencement website has the detailed schedule and other important information about the event. Graduating students should check out the FAQ page for answers to common Commencement-related questions.

I am excited to celebrate graduation with our students, and their families and friends at this incredible venue one last time before my retirement. I’ll see you at Golden 1 Center soon. Stingers Up!

VP Lisa Cardoza leaving Sac State to become president of ARC

April 28, 2023 - It is bittersweet, but with great pride, that I announce that Dr. Lisa Cardoza, vice president for University Advancement, has accepted an offer to become the next president of American River College. She will leave Sacramento State in July.

Lisa has been a critical, driving force in the transformation of Sacramento State. She came to the University in 2015 as my chief of staff. She served as interim vice president for Human Resources in 2018, where she managed that area’s transition to the Division of Administration and Business Affairs. She took on the role of interim vice president for University Advancement in 2017, before being appointed to that position permanently in 2019.

Since then, she has led University Advancement through our overwhelmingly successful comprehensive campaign, raising nearly $239 million in support of students, knowledge, and community, doubling the number of scholarships for our students. She has revitalized the University Foundation Board at Sacramento State, ensuring sound policies, best practices, and setting us up for success. She has also advocated strongly for a new donor database to ensure the integrity of our data.

Just this week, Lisa’s team planned and executed the highly impressive fundraising event, the Green and Gold Gala, raising over $460,000 in sponsorships and $380,000 in the paddle auction, all to support the Seth Nelsen Emergency Endowment Fund to help students facing difficult situations stay enrolled and achieve their dreams of a college degree. On top of this success, she and her team led Give Sac State Day, bringing in over $424,000 for so many incredible causes on campuses.

I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Cardoza for 13 years, and I am incredibly proud that she will become a college president.

I am also pleased to share that Sharon Takeda has agreed to lead University Advancement as interim vice president. Sharon Takeda currently serves as the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Communications. Her passion for advancement work began at her alma mater, UCLA. There, she developed an appreciation for the foundational role that annual giving plays in a successful development program. Sharon has over 30 years of experience in higher education, including building and leading teams, engaging constituents, creating strategies, and raising philanthropic support. I know Sharon will provide steady and exceptional leadership in the interim.

This is a time of great change for Sacramento State, but I am confident that we will continue to rise and thrive thanks to our incredible students, our dedicated and talented faculty and staff, and our leadership teams.

Please join me in thanking Lisa for all that she has done for Sacramento State, and in congratulating her on her new position. And join me in supporting Sharon in her new role. Stingers Up!

Rita Gallardo Good to be Sr. AVP for Public Affairs and Advocacy

April 26, 2023 - I am pleased to announce that, after a competitive search, Rita Gallardo Good has been chosen to serve as senior associate vice president for Public Affairs and Advocacy.

In this role, Rita will be responsible for strategic advocacy, and for fostering and maintaining relations with elected officials and governmental agencies at local, state, and federal levels to promote University interests. In this critical position, Rita will oversee Sacramento State Downtown’s building operations and external public affairs programming. She will provide vision and leadership in the strategic direction of the Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy and Anchor University efforts.

Rita joined Sacramento State in 2020 as director of Civic Affairs for Public Affairs and Advocacy. She has a long history of community service and engagement in Sacramento. She represents Sac State as second vice president on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed by Mayor Darrell Steinberg to serve as a commissioner for Sacramento’s Parks and Community Enrichment Commission and the Stadium Area Public Financing Authority. Rita is a Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project board member. Before coming to Sac State, Rita was assistant director of Employer Relations at the California Teachers’ Retirement System and chief of stakeholder relations at the California Public Employees Retirement System. She has experience as a legislative consultant for then-state Sen. Alex Padilla. Rita has a master’s in Public Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of La Verne. She is in the second year of Sacramento State’s Doctorate in Educational Leadership program.

Please join me in welcoming Rita to this new role. Stingers Up!

Please join me for Take Back the Night and Denim Day

April 25, 2023 - April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge the impact of sexual assault on our community, and to support, honor, and empower survivors of all forms of sexual violence. It is also a time to raise awareness about safety and prevention. On Wednesday, April 26, I invite you to join me for two hallmark events of Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Denim Day and Take Back the Night.

Take Back the Night, hosted by Student Health and Counseling Services and WEAVE, is a resource fair and march that empowers survivors of sexual violence. It is also a protest that demands safety while promoting the end of gendered violence and focuses on marginalized groups. Take Back the Night started as a protest in March 1972, when women began marching on their campuses together in an organized and intentional manner, demanding a less violent future. I hope you will join me from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Library Quad for this important event. You can register here to attend.

Denim Day has been observed worldwide since 1999, with people wearing denim to show support for survivors of sexual violence. It began as a response to an Italian Supreme Court decision overturning a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. Student Health and Counseling Services and WEAVE will be in the Library Quad from noon-2:30 p.m. Wednesday to decorate and display denim to show that clothing does not equal affirmative consent. Please join me in wearing denim that day.

We are committed to preventing all forms of sexual violence, and to believing and supporting those who have experienced it. The 2022-23 Sexual Violence Prevention, Safety, and Support Action Plan includes every member of the campus community, because we must all act to end sexual violence. Together, we can foster a safe, supportive, and healing environment for everyone in the Hornet Family.

If you or someone you know needs support or resources, please reach out to Student Health and Counseling Services or the WEAVE Confidential Advocate.

VP Ed Mills is leaving Sac State

April 24, 2023 - It is with mixed emotions that I announce that Dr. Ed Mills, vice president for Student Affairs, has accepted a position as vice president of Strategic Enrollment at Sonoma State University and will be leaving Sacramento State this summer.

Ed is one of the longest-serving members of Cabinet, having been the VP for Student Affairs since 2015. Ed started his journey at Sac State in 2007, when he was recruited to help the University meet its enrollment targets, which had not been met the previous eight years. He worked with faculty, staff, and students to enhance recruitment, retention, and student services. Within a year, we met our enrollment target, a feat that has been replicated every year for the past 15 years. Ed not only led our enrollment growth, but he also spearheaded a new one-stop Student Success Center and streamlined student services. Another hallmark of Ed’s time at Sac State is the proliferation of equity and affinity centers. Ed also made time to teach a first-year seminar course every fall and has taught the Student Services course in Sac State's Educational Leadership doctorate program for several semesters.

A first-generation college student himself, Ed has dedicated his career to helping students navigate complex university processes and making sure that every student finds a community on campus – a place at Sac State to call home. He is an ardent proponent of world-class student services and experiential learning. Though his departure is a tremendous loss for Sacramento State, I know that the staff and administrators in Students Affairs will continue to provide outstanding service to our students. I am grateful that he will continue to serve students in the CSU at Sonoma State.

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Jenni Murphy, dean for the College of Continuing Education, will serve as interim vice president for Student Affairs for one year, providing leadership for that critical division. Jenni has served as the dean for the College of Continuing Education since June 2018 after two terms as the interim. She has served in many roles during her 22 years at Sac State, including associate dean, senior director of Marketing and Emerging Markets, special assistant to the dean, founding director of Extension Programs, senior program manager, chair of the Business Development Advisory Group, and executive sponsor for the Relationship Management Experience Project. Jenni is the founder of ProjectAttain! – a regional nonprofit organization grounded in equity that is working to reduce equity gaps, close the talent deficit, and increase educational attainment for adults. Dr. Murphy has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Phoenix, and earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sacramento State.

Dr. Pam Wimbush, associate dean for the College of Continuing Education, has agreed to serve as interim dean while Jenni is in Student Affairs. Pam has over 20 years of experience working in higher education, including positions at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northern Virginia Community College, Johns Hopkins University, Hampton University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Pam has been a valuable member of the dean’s leadership team with primary responsibilities for the college’s program support units (Enrollment and Marketing Services, Digital Learning and Technology Solutions, and Evaluations and Effectiveness, Compliance, People and Culture, Facilities, and Finance). She oversaw the growth and sustainability of institutional programs such as Summer Session and Winter Intersession. Dr. Wimbush holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Studies, master’s degrees in Distance Education, and Management, and a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Wyoming.

Please join me in thanking Ed for his service, dedication, and heart. He is a true Hornet and an incredible leader, and I know that his heart will always be with Sac State. Stingers Up!

Reminder: Nominations for Outstanding Staff Awards close April 17

April 13, 2023 - The nomination period for the Outstanding Staff Awards closes at 5 p.m. Monday, April 17. I hope you will consider nominating a staff member who demonstrates excellence in their work and goes above and beyond in their pursuit of the strategic imperatives in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. You can learn more about the criteria for each award and access the nomination form by visiting the Outstanding Staff Awards webpage.

All non-faculty personnel are eligible to be nominated (staff and managers). Members of Cabinet, faculty, and student employees are not eligible, but are encouraged to submit nominations. If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact Chief of Staff Sarah Billingsley at sarah.billingsley@csus.edu.

Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in June. I look forward to celebrating our talented and dedicated staff. Stingers Up!

We denounce all acts of antisemitism

April 7, 2023 - In response to an incident of antisemitism on campus, President Nelsen and ASI President Salma Pacheco prepared this video statement for the campus community. Please click here or on the image below to access the video.

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Staff Awards

April 5, 2023 - I am extremely pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the inaugural Outstanding Staff Awards. These awards will be given annually and are designed to recognize staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) who demonstrate excellence in their work and go above and beyond in their pursuit of the strategic imperatives in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. You can learn more about the criteria for each award on the Outstanding Staff Awards webpage. The nomination period closes at 5 p.m. April 17.

Thanks to all who put their names forward to serve on the awards selection committee. To ensure proportional representation, the selection committee is made up of two members each from Academic Affairs, Administration and Business Affairs, and Student Affairs, and one member each from University Advancement, Inclusive Excellence, Information Resources and Technology, the Division of the President, and University Auxiliaries.

Click here to access the nomination form. All staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) are eligible for nomination. Members of Cabinet, faculty, and student employees are not eligible to be nominated, but are encouraged to submit nominations. Nominations can be made in the following categories:

• Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success.
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and Creative Activity.
• Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging.
• Outstanding Contribution to Resource Development and Sustainability.
• Outstanding Contribution to Dedicated Community Involvement.
• Outstanding Contribution to Wellness.
• Jody Nelsen Staff MVP.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please contact Chief of Staff Sarah Billingsley at sarah.billingsley@csus.edu. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in June. I look forward to celebrating our talented and dedicated staff. Stingers Up!

Please join me for the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention

April 4, 2023 - These last few years have dramatically highlighted the continued need for conversation about and support for mental health and suicide prevention. In 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory citing mental health challenges as an urgent public health issue in our country. During the pandemic, young people experienced high rates of psychological distress which greatly impacted their lives. Depression and anxiety rates doubled, and suicide rates increased, the advisory states.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students, claiming 1,100 lives each year (Active Minds). Connecting to the campus and to the campus community helps support a sense of belonging that can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and suicidal ideation and can improve mental health and well-being.

I invite the campus and Sacramento communities to join me at the 12th annual Sacramento State Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, taking place in front of The WELL at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6. This event encourages open dialogue about mental health and raises awareness about suicide prevention.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is presented through the collaboration of Student Health and Counseling Services, Sacramento State’s Active Minds Chapter, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). A Mental Health Resource Fair will take place at 4-5:30 p.m. in front of The WELL and will showcase campus and community mental health resources.

The Out of the Darkness Walk presents the opportunity for all students, organizations, departments, faculty, staff, and community members to walk together and heal together. We must remember and honor those whose lives have been lost to suicide, while also acting to help raise awareness so that no one ever feels alone or afraid to seek support.

Register now for the Out of the Darkness Walk. If you have questions or need more information, please email Ali Orlando at orlando@csus.edu. Together, we can bring the topic of suicide and mental health out of the darkness and into the light. I hope to see you there. Stingers Up!

Invitation to upcoming campus visit by Dr. Paisley Currah

April 3, 2023 - All members of the Hornet Family are invited to attend “Sex, the State, and Trans Politics: A Conversation with Dr. Paisley Currah,” 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the University Union Pacific Suite, rooms 1 and 2. Dr. Currah is author of Sex Is as Sex Does: Governing Transgender Identity, and is a professor of political science and women's and gender studies at Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. The event will feature a conversation between Dr. Currah and Dr. Tristan Josephson, Sac State associate professor of Women's and Gender Studies. The event is free and open to the public.

There will be a reception following the talk. Sponsors for this event include the Office of the President, the Community Engagement Center, One World Initiative, the Pride Center, the Department of Women's and Gender Studies, and the Department of Political Science.

ASL Interpreters will be provided. To request additional accommodations, please email Dana Kivel at kivelb@csus.edu by April 6.

You are invited to attend ASI's town hall on sexual violence on April 3

March 30, 2023 - ASI is hosting a town hall on campus sexual assault, 1 - 3 p.m. Monday, April 3, in the University Union Redwood Room. This gathering will provide a forum for updates from administration on the Sexual Violence Prevention, Safety, and Support Action Plan and provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and voice concerns. Click here to access the flyer for the event, which has a QR code that will allow you to submit questions ahead of time.

To attend via Zoom use Zoom ID 892 3451 0908 and the passcode 238391. Captioning and ASL will be provided. Additional accommodation requests should be sent to ASIVPAA@csus.edu.

I hope you will join us at the town hall as we continue this important discussion. Stingers Up!

CSU AANHPI student success central office will be housed at Sac State

March 29, 2023 - I am pleased to share that Sacramento State has been selected to serve as the California State University Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program Statewide Central Office.

As a part of California Assembly Bill 190, signed into law in 2022, an annual appropriation of $8 million will be given to the CSU, funding this campus-based, statewide central office, which will operate the systemwide AANHPI Student Achievement Program. As the site of the central office, Sacramento State will provide culturally responsive services to enhance student educational experiences and promote higher education success for low-income, underserved, and first-generation AANHPI students and other underrepresented students at all 23 CSU campuses.

I want to thank Professor Tim Fong, Yvonne Harris, Shannon Rexin, and the team in the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development for their work on the proposal to house the center at Sacramento State. Dr. Fong, in collaboration with Ethnic Studies and the Asian American Studies Program, created the Full Circle Project (FCP) in 2011, and the program has since become a model used across the nation for student success programs. Our work to close equity gaps and improve our two- and four-year graduation rates, alongside programs like the FCP, made Sacramento State the obvious choice to lead this important new effort.

I am incredibly proud of our faculty, staff, and students for all that you do to make Sac State a place where dreams come true. Stingers Up!

Commencement contingency schedule

March 27, 2023 - With spring break behind us, the end of the academic year and our 2023 Commencement are just around the corner. In my message to campus on Jan. 10, I shared that we planned to hold Commencement again at Golden 1 Center. However, I also warned that in the unlikely event of the need to change the venue or schedule, I would notify the campus community as soon as possible.

As you may know, the Sacramento Kings are on the verge of breaking their 16-year playoff drought. While this accomplishment is a cause for celebration, it also presents uncertainty about our plans to hold Commencement at Golden 1 Center. Please read the information below carefully, as it outlines our contingency plans in the event that Golden 1 Center is not available for our use May 19-21.

What happens if the Kings make the playoffs?

If the Kings make it to the NBA Western Conference Finals, Commencement will be held at Hornet Stadium, rain or shine. Our University Events team is working to ensure that if Commencement is at Hornet Stadium, it will be a high-quality, unforgettable experience for our graduates and their guests. You will still be able to cross the stage and have your name called, and I will have the honor of shaking your hand.

Could some ceremonies be held at Golden 1 Center and some at Hornet Stadium?

If Golden 1 Center is unavailable on any of the days that we have ceremonies scheduled, or on our setup day, we will be forced to shift all ceremonies to Hornet Stadium. Setting up for Commencement takes a tremendous amount of time and effort, and we cannot do setups at two venues.

Will the schedule change if Commencement is at Hornet Stadium?

All Commencement ceremonies will be May 19-21, regardless of venue. However, if we shift to Hornet Stadium, there will be an alternative schedule. We are releasing this alternative schedule now so that graduates can plan accordingly for the changes to the times and days for some ceremonies. The changes are necessary, as we have been advised not to host ceremonies midday because of heat-related concerns and to allow traffic from one ceremony to be completely cleared from campus before the next ceremony begins.

When will we know whether Commencement will move to Hornet Stadium?

The latest that the final decision will be made is at the conclusion of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals, which we estimate will be no later than May 14. If the Kings are eliminated from the playoffs at any time before the NBA Western Conference Finals, we will proceed with our plans to host Commencement at Golden 1 Center using the originally posted schedule. We will continue to communicate with the campus community as we learn more.

Will there be changes to Commencement guest tickets?

The number of guest tickets allotted to graduates will not change, regardless of venue. Tickets will be honored at either venue and will not need to be exchanged, even if your ceremony day and time changes. As a reminder, selling Commencement tickets is prohibited.

For additional Commencement information, please visit the Commencement website at www.csus.edu/commencement.

I understand that this uncertainty may be stressful, but I assure you that whether you cross the stage at Golden 1 Center or at Hornet Stadium, your Commencement ceremony will be a great celebration of your tremendous accomplishments. I cannot wait to celebrate with you. Stingers Up!

Please register now to attend the AICP Symposium on March 28

March 14, 2023 - As a continuation of our commitment to fighting racism, bias, and social injustices while working to ensure that Sac State is an inclusive campus, I hope you will join us March 28 in the University Union Ballroom for the Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Symposium. It will be a day for the entire campus community to come together to build collective awareness, establish new spaces for belonging, and intentionally map our path toward collaborative action. I invite and strongly encourage every member of the Hornet Family to register to attend.

You can review the full agenda by clicking here. Sessions throughout the day will offer opportunities for expanding education, exposure, experience and engagement on topics, including:

• Textbook affordability as equity.
• Intersections of race and disability.
• Strategies for supporting our affinity centers.
• Sexual violence prevention.

Throughout the day we will hear from:

• Student researchers on “Finding Comunidad.”
• Faculty on re-examining the academic cannon.
• Staff and administrators on expanding inclusive practices in hiring processes.
• Community organizations on their impact on the Sacramento region.

I encourage managers to attend with their teams, and faculty members to attend with their classes. I hope everyone will take the opportunity to learn more about the important topics being explored throughout the day.

I want to thank Inclusive Excellence for working with campus stakeholders to develop an experience that will be meaningful and measurable. I look forward to being together at the AICP Symposium to advance our commitment to antiracism and belonging. Stingers Up!

Final call to submit names to serve on staff awards selection committee

March 9, 2023 - Please consider serving on the award selection committee for the inaugural Outstanding Staff Awards. If you are willing to serve in this important capacity, complete this form by 4 p.m. March 10. We anticipate that the committee will meet three to four times between March 20 and May 5.

To ensure proportional representation from all divisions, the selection committee will be made up of two members each from Academic Affairs, Administration and Business Affairs, and Student Affairs, and one member each from University Advancement, Inclusive Excellence, Information Resources and Technology, the Division of the President, and University Auxiliaries. Vice presidents from each area will select committee members from volunteers responding to this open call.

Please watch for a call for nominations to recognize staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) who demonstrate excellence in their work and go above and beyond in their pursuit of the strategic imperatives in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success.
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and Creative Activity.
• Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging.
• Outstanding Contribution to Resource Development and Sustainability.
• Outstanding Contribution to Dedicated Community Involvement.
• Outstanding Contribution to Wellness.
• Jody Nelsen Staff MVP.

Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in June. I look forward to celebrating our talented and dedicated staff. Stingers Up!

Welcome our Big Sky champions women's basketball team home today

March 9, 2023 - Yesterday, the Sac State women’s basketball team beat the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks to win the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Boise, Idaho. Not only did the victory give our women’s team its first Big Sky Tournament championship, it also earned the Hornets their first-ever opportunity to play in the upcoming Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Please help us welcome the team back from Boise this afternoon. Their bus should arrive at the Athletic Center at about 3:30 p.m. Join me in welcoming home our champion Hornets to celebrate this monumental occasion.

Sac State is No. 1. Stingers Up!

Please participate in the open forums for Sr. AVP of PAA next week

March 8, 2023 - Open forums for finalists for the position of senior associate vice president for Public Affairs and Advocacy will be held via Zoom next week. Dates, times, and links for each forum are below. Résumés for each candidate can be accessed by clicking on their name. Live captioning and ASL will be provided during each forum. Additional accommodations should be requested by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 9, by emailing events@csus.edu.

Rita Gallardo Good

Tuesday, March 14
10 - 11 a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Denyne Colburn

Wednesday, March 15
10 - 11 a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Jared Giarrusso-Khlok

Thursday, March 16
10 - 11 a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Mary Meuel

Friday, March 17
10 - 11 a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Please share your feedback about the candidates by completing this survey, which will open on Tuesday, March 14, and close at 11:59 p.m. March 21. Thank you for participating in this important search.

Stingers Up!

UEI Executive Director Jim Reinhart is retiring

March 7, 2023 - With mixed emotions I share that Jim Reinhart, executive director of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI), has announced he will retire in early August. Jim joined Sacramento State in 2009 from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he served for eight years, and has been a valuable leader and trusted member of my Cabinet.

Under Jim’s leadership, UEI has contributed to Sacramento State’s mission in many significant ways. It is responsible for the Hornet Bookstore, campus dining, research administration, and the California Intern Network. In addition, UEI supports student success and campus imperatives through the College of Business Student Investment Fund, which was initiated in 2010 with $250,000 and has increased to more than $1 million under student management. Since 2010, the Hornet Bookstore has contributed $10,000 to fund the Sacramento State One Book Program, which focuses on issues of social justice as part of the First Year Experience. Since 2011, UEI has employed a cohort of four students participating in the Cristo Rey High School work-study program, enabling students with limited financial resources to fund their college preparatory education. UEI’s Campus Grants Program annually awards up to $80,000 in grants benefiting students, faculty and staff, with recent themes including antiracism and Anchor University initiatives. UEI also supports student scholarships through the UEI Green and Gold Scholarship Endowment.

During Jim’s tenure, UEI acquired the Sacramento State Downtown property and developed the 6011 Folsom Blvd. property into the Bright Path Child Development Center in partnership with SMUD and UC Davis Health. Bright Path opened last fall, offering high-quality, affordable child care for employees of Sac State, SMUD, and UC Davis Health. The future home of Hornet gymnastics is next door to Bright Path, with construction and equipment funded by UEI in support of Sacramento State Athletics. In 2019, UEI purchased the McAuliffe Ballparks and on that site, through a public-private partnership, developed the 1,100-bed Hornet Commons student housing complex that opened in 2021. UEI recently contributed $275,000 toward grant funding obtained by the campus to purchase two houses for use by students participating in Project Rebound. Later this month, UEI will break ground on Nine Ten Place, a 30-unit apartment complex across the Guy West Bridge to help recruit new faculty and staff with transitional housing at below-market rents.

Under Jim’s leadership, UEI has played a critical role providing programs and services that enrich the Sacramento State experience and support the evolving needs of the Hornet Family. We will immediately begin the search for his replacement.

Please join me in thanking Jim for his efforts over the past fourteen years, and in wishing him all the best in retirement. Stingers Up!

Announcing the Outstanding Staff Awards

March 2, 2023 - I am extremely pleased to announce that this summer Sacramento State will host our inaugural Outstanding Staff Awards to recognize staff and administrators (all non-faculty personnel) who demonstrate excellence in their work and go above and beyond in their pursuit of the strategic imperatives in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. A steering committee has been convened, award criteria is being finalized, and an Outstanding Staff Awards webpage is now available.

Would you like to serve on the award selection committee?

To express your interest in serving on the Outstanding Staff Awards selection committee, please complete this form by 4 p.m. on March 10. We anticipate the steering committee will meet three to four times between March 20 and May 5.

In an effort to have proportional representation from all divisions, the selection committee will be made up of two members each from Academic Affairs, Administration and Business Affairs, and Student Affairs, and one member each from University Advancement, Inclusive Excellence, Information Resources and Technology, the Division of the President, and University Auxiliaries. Vice presidents from each area will select the committee members from those who volunteer through this open call.

Please be on the lookout for a call for nominations to honor outstanding employees in the following categories:

• Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Student Success.
• Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and Creative Activity.
• Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging.
• Outstanding Contribution to Resource Development and Sustainability.
• Outstanding Contribution to Dedicated Community Involvement.
• Outstanding Contribution to Wellness.
• Jody Nelsen Staff MVP.

Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in June. I look forward to celebrating our talented and dedicated staff. Stingers Up!

The University Union will be closed tomorrow, Feb. 25

Feb. 24, 2023 - Please be advised that, due to a water line in need of immediate repair, the University Union will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 25. We are sorry for any inconvenience the closure may cause. We expect the University Union will be reopened for regular hours on Sunday, Feb. 26.

The 2023-2028 Strategic Plan is now published

Feb. 24, 2023 - I am pleased to share Sacramento State’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, the result of many months of collaboration, and interactive and iterative work. When I began my presidency, I outlined five strategic imperatives that have guided us ever since: student success, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, philanthropy, and safety and health. Over the past eight years, we have evolved, and so too have our strategic imperatives. The new Strategic Plan will serve as a compass to keep Sacramento State on course to achieve the goals outlined for each strategic imperative, and it creates a cohesive vision that remains centered on student success.

For the initial phases of the strategic planning process, we partnered with MGT Consulting, a firm with extensive experience in higher education strategic planning, to facilitate the environmental scan, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. A Strategic Planning Taskforce (SPT) made up of a broad constituency of stakeholders was formed in 2021 to review early drafts and make recommendations regarding the University’s priorities. All members of the campus community were then invited to provide feedback, which the SPT incorporated into the plan.

The Strategic Plan is a living document that will evolve over time. The next phase in the strategic planning process is the creation of action items that will help us achieve the desired outcomes for each goal in the plan. Please be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in that process. I hope you will read the new plan and think about your role, and the role of your department or division, in achieving these goals.

I thank members of the SPT for their time and efforts over the past 18 months, and particularly Dr. Robin Carter and Dr. Sarah Billingsley, for their leadership of this collaborative process.

Stingers Up!

Updated dates for Sr. AVP PAA candidate open forums

Feb. 24, 2023 - We have updated the dates of the open forums for candidates being considered for the position of senior associate vice president for Public Affairs and Advocacy. Those open forums were originally scheduled for next week, but are being delayed by two weeks. We will share the names of the finalists participating in each forum as soon as possible. We also will share a link for the survey to provide comments and feedback about each candidate.

The open forums will take place via Zoom webinar. New dates, times, and links for each forum are below. Live captioning will be provided during each forum. Please email events@csus.edu to request additional accommodations by Feb. 28.

Candidate 1
Tuesday, March 14
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 2
Wednesday, March 15
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 3
Thursday, March 16
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 4
Friday, March 17
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Thank you for saving these dates to participate in this important search. Stingers Up!

Please consider volunteering at Commencement

Feb. 22, 2023 - Our 2023 Commencement is scheduled for May 19-21. To ensure the best experience for our students and their guests, we will need roughly 440 volunteer shifts filled across the three days. All Management Personnel Plan (MPP) employees are required to volunteer for at least one shift, although we encourage you to consider signing up for more than one.

The Volunteer Registration Form is now open to exempt employees and faculty. The deadline to volunteer is April 21, 2023, but I encourage you to sign up as soon as you can. Shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they fill quickly.

We understand that some individuals may feel uncomfortable being face-to-face with the public at this event. For this reason, we will leave a comment box in the volunteer registration form, where you can indicate your level of comfort working in certain positions. Volunteers who are not comfortable working in close proximity with guests and graduates will be assigned other Commencement duties.

Thank you for your commitment to our students and for giving your time to make their day truly special. Commencement is our most public event and one of the most important days in our students’ lives. I appreciate the sacrifices that you make to ensure that our students and their families have the best graduation possible. I look forward to seeing you for my last Commencement at Golden 1 Center in May.

Stingers Up!

Save the Dates: Open forums for Sr. AVP for Public Affairs and Advocacy

Feb. 16, 2023 - Please save the dates to attend open forums for final candidates being considered for the position of senior associate vice president for Public Affairs and Advocacy. We will share the names of the finalists participating in each forum as soon as possible. We also will share a link for the survey to provide comments and feedback about each candidate.

The open forums will take place via Zoom webinar. Dates, times, and links for each forum are below. Live captioning will be provided during each forum. Please email events@csus.edu to request additional accommodations by Feb. 20.

Candidate 1
Monday, Feb. 27
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 2
Tuesday, Feb. 28
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 3
Wednesday, March 1
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Candidate 4
Thursday, March 2
10 - 11a.m.
Zoom: https://csus.zoom.us/j/81162445540

Thank you for participating in this important search. Stingers Up!

Antonia Peigahi will return to the faculty

Feb. 15, 2023 - It is with mixed emotions that I share that Ántonia Peigahi has decided to leave the position of director of Policy and Records Management and return to her faculty role as librarian, effective March 1.

Ms. Peigahi joined the President’s Office in the fall of 2019 as the first director of Policy and Records Management, where she was charged with updating and managing University policy, compliance, and records-retention processes. Working closely with the Faculty Senate, ASI, and across divisions, she led our efforts to revise, review, and update University policies, and shepherded our successful transition to Policy Stat policy management software. Thanks to her expertise, anyone can now access University policies quickly and easily, and we are moving toward ensuring that all University policies are written to ensure that we can progress on our antiracism action items.

I know Ms. Peigahi is looking forward to returning to her first love, working with students. We will begin recruitment to fill this position in the coming months. Please join me in thanking Ántonia for filling this important role at a critical time.

Stingers Up!

We support free speech, even when we disagree with the message

Feb. 14, 2023 - Yesterday, several external, nonaffiliated agitators came to campus to proselytize their anti-choice and other religious views in the Library Quad. One group displayed large, graphic and grotesque images that any person, including myself, would find not only disturbing but also offensive. The agitators yelled at Sac State students and everyone else in the vicinity, even going so far as to call them “whores,” in an effort to enrage people who disagree with them. The tactics worked, and unfortunately, counter-protestors confronted the agitators. At one point, a Bible was grabbed from an agitator and thrown onto the ground. These behaviors and actions are unacceptable. They violate what it means to be a Hornet.

We are a campus committed to free speech, no matter how offensive that speech may be. Our country was built upon free speech, upon all voices being heard so that just voices can prevail. Since Sac State is a public institution, people – including those who are not associated with the University – have the right to come here and voice their opinions, even opinions that are ill-founded, abhorrent, and offensive. Unless outsiders or Sac State students or employees violate our Time, Place, and Manner Policy or become violent, we cannot silence anyone, nor should we. Sacramento State is open for all who wish to express their views peacefully. The guarantee of freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our nation and especially of higher education, and we must protect the exchange of ideas even when we are deeply offended and wholeheartedly disagree.

The agitators may return to campus today. I want to assure you that the administration and University police will closely monitor the situation to ensure that it does not escalate and that the interactions and protests remain peaceful. The images that the agitators have displayed and will probably display again today are disgusting and disturbing. Signs have been posted near the Library Quad to warn people of the graphic images that they may encounter. I encourage anyone who wants to avoid these upsetting images to avoid the Library Quad while they are on display. Sadly, many individuals may experience trauma from seeing the images or from encounters with members of these groups. Should you or someone you know need care, please utilize Student Health and Counseling Services or the Employee Assistance Program.

We are a University where truth and justice will prevail. We cannot and will not let outsiders destroy the Hornet Family. Yes, we are of many minds and many persuasions, but we are united in our pursuit of belonging, our dedication to knowledge and learning, and our commitment to the Hornet Honor Code and to each other.

Our hearts go out to those affected by the earthquakes

Feb. 10, 2023 - Like so many of you, I am heartbroken by the devastation and mounting death toll caused by the earthquakes that struck Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon early this week. My heart and my sympathy go out to students, faculty, and staff who have family and loved ones in the stricken areas, and to all affected by what is perhaps the worst natural disaster ever to hit these countries.

Our International Programs and Global Engagement (IPGE) team has reached out to our international students from Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon to offer support and resources. We are a caring campus and a globally engaged Anchor University, and I know that many members of the Hornet Family seek ways to support one another as well as people across the globe who have been devastated by the earthquakes. Starting Monday, IPGE will have a table in the Library quad, where you can learn more about the affected countries and how to provide support. We invite all members of the campus community to come together at noon Friday, Feb. 17, in the Global Lounge to support one another and learn more about available resources.

Students and employees who need support are encouraged to use the available campus resources.

• Students can visit Student Health and Counseling Services online and at 916-278-6461. After-hours calls will be routed to a 24-hour advice line.
• Sacramento State has counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online and at 800-367-7474. This service is available 24/7.

Those who wish to support rescue and aide efforts can give to one of the many nonprofit organizations collecting donations, including UNICEF, which is working in Turkey and Syria to help children and families displaced by the earthquake.

Thank you for being a caring and engaged Hornet Family.

Volunteer registration for 2023 Commencement ceremonies

Feb. 9, 2023 - To all MPP employees: The 2023 Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 19-21. To ensure the best experience for our students and their guests, we will need roughly 440 volunteer shifts filled across the three days. All Management Personnel Plan (MPP) employees are required to volunteer for at least one shift, although we encourage you to consider signing up for more than one.

The Volunteer Registration Form is now open, and I encourage you to sign up as soon as you can. Shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they fill quickly. MPPs who are required to work or attend the ceremonies as part of their job duties (such as University Communications personnel, the platform party, college administrators, and others) are not required to sign up for additional volunteer shifts.

We understand that there will be MPPs who already have commitments that weekend and will not be able to volunteer this year. If you have a prior commitment, please send a memo to the vice president of your division stating why you are unable to attend Commencement.

We also understand that not all MPPs will feel comfortable being face-to-face with the public at this event. For this reason, we will leave a comment box in the volunteer registration form, where you can indicate your level of comfort working in certain positions. Volunteers who are not comfortable working in close proximity with guests and graduates will be assigned other duties at Commencement.

Thank you for your commitment to our students and for giving your time to make their day truly special. Commencement is our most public event and one of the most important days in the lives of our students. I appreciate the sacrifices that you make to ensure that our students and their families have the best graduation possible. I look forward to seeing you for my last Commencement at Golden 1 Center in May.

Stingers Up!

Please participate in the CSU's Title IX Assessment survey

Feb. 7, 2023 - I again strongly encourage all members of the campus community to participate in the CSU’s Title IX Assessment survey, which will remain open through Feb. 15, 2023.

The survey is part of an effort across the California State University’s 23 campuses to assess how we respond to reports and incidents of discrimination and harassment. This work is meant to help us improve the CSU's Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) training, awareness, prevention, intervention, compliance, and support systems.

We understand that topics relating to sexual harassment and assault may be triggering for someone who has experienced these adverse behaviors. Participation is completely voluntary, and confidential responses will go directly and exclusively to Cozen, the organization conducting the assessment. If you need additional support or want to provide feedback related to specific cases, please contact the Title IX Office via email or by calling 916-278-5770. You may also send your confidential comments to the dedicated email address established for the assessment: CalStateReview@cozen.com. Up-to-date information including next steps can be found on the CSU Title IX Assessment website.

Thank you in advance for your participation and candid input. Your voice is a critical part of our continuing efforts to create a safe, welcoming, and caring campus environment in which everyone can thrive.

Stingers Up!

Please join me for coffee and conversation

Feb. 1, 2023 - It is hard to imagine leaving Sacramento State, but whether I like it or not, I will be moving on in just six months. In an effort to connect personally with as many members of the Hornet Family as possible before then, I will host several Coffee With the President sessions in the coming months.

Dates, times, locations, and planned accommodations are listed on the RSVP form. We have initially scheduled three sessions, and space is limited. Additional dates will be added as necessary.

I look forward to spending time with you. Stingers Up!

Please attend the Presidential Search Open Forum

Jan. 31, 2023 - I hope you are all planning to attend the Presidential Search Open Forum taking place 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in the University Union Ballroom. The Presidential Search Committee will be on campus for the forum to listen to our campus community and public at large share what qualifications, experiences, and personal attributes they feel the next president must possess to succeed. This feedback will inform the presidential prospectus and position advertisement and guide the Presidential Search Committee’s review of applicants. The committee will also answer questions about the presidential search process. More information on the general CSU process for presidential hiring can be found in the Board of Trustees Policy for the Selection of Presidents and on Sacramento State’s Presidential Search webpage.

You can attend the open forum in person or participate via livestream. ASL and captioning will be provided. If you plan to attend virtually and wish to make a comment, you will need to register using the link provided below.

In-Person Attendance and Public Comment

Members of the Sacramento State community and public at large are welcome to attend and provide in-person comment to the committee. Registration is not required to make an in-person comment.

Virtual Public Comment

To provide comments virtually during the open forum, participants must register in advance using the following form. All members of the campus and external community are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

View or Listen to the Livestream

No registration is required for those who want to view or listen to the forum via the livestream.

Complimentary parking for community members who attend the forum will be available on the fourth floor of Parking Structure II (PSII) between noon and 3 p.m. Feb. 3. Please view the campus parking map for directions to PSII and the University Union.

If you can’t attend the forum or watch the livestream, you can provide your input via a short survey that is available in English and in Spanish. The survey will be open until midnight Feb. 7, but you can continue to share feedback after that date by emailing CSUSacramentoPresident@AGBSearch.com.

I hope you will take part in this important process to ensure that your voice informs the search for Sac State’s next president. Stingers Up!

Another killing, and our hearts break again

Jan. 27, 2023 - As we mourn with the APIDA community the loss of life from recent gun violence, it deeply saddens me to write this message about Sacramento native Tyre Nichols, 29. Yesterday, a grand jury indicted five former police officers who were fired from the Memphis, Tennessee, police department and charged with second-degree murder for their role in Tyre Nichols’ death.

After a traffic stop, the then-officers took Nichols into custody, used excessive force to beat and kick him, then rendered no aid to Nichols, who died from the beating. Similar to the George Floyd and Rodney King cases, the video footage, which will be released today will be retraumatizing, disturbing, and dehumanizing.

My heart breaks for the Black community, and for all of us, as we again must process this latest senseless death. We must come together to take care of one another, as we struggle with pain, fear, despair, and anger about this loss of yet another young Black man. We know our campus community will need support to deal with this latest violent incident; please utilize our campus resources as we process this together.

• Students can visit Student Health and Counseling Services online and at 916-278-6461. After-hours calls will be routed to a 24-hour advice line.
• Sacramento State has counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online and at 800-367-7474. This service is available 24/7.

Next week we will share opportunities for the campus community to come together to grapple with this latest tragedy.

An update on sexual violence prevention, resources, and support

Jan. 24, 2023 - Members of the Hornet Family came together at a student-led town hall on Nov. 18 to voice concerns about campus safety and the University’s response to the sexual assaults committed earlier in the fall semester. As I said in a message following that town hall, we heard loud and clear your fear, pain, and anxiety, and we pledged to work proactively rather than reactively to end sexual violence and ensure that everyone feels safe.

After listening to the concerns and recommendations at the town hall, leaders from across campus collaborated to create an action plan to ensure that we improve campus safety. The plan focuses on prevention and support resources. The Sexual Violence Prevention, Safety, and Support Action Plan has seven goals and 32 individual action steps. Below are the seven goals and just a few of the action steps that have been completed or are ongoing. You can see the complete, detailed list of action items by viewing our Sexual Violence Prevention, Safety, and Support Action Plan. This living document will be regularly updated as needed.

Goal 1: Increase awareness of sexual assault to inform recognition and prevention

• A series of videos is being created to educate about sexual assault prevention and resources for survivors. Two are completed, and two are in progress. View the interview with the WEAVE confidential advocate here. Learn more about the Sexual Violence Awareness Team here.
• The Sexual Violence Awareness Team (SVAT) will create for students a series of in-person prevention and education workshops.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 2: Create and communicate resources to students to access in cases of sexual assault

• The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) created a list of sexual violence prevention and support resources, including sample syllabus language for faculty. This new resource was shared with faculty, who are encouraged to include it in syllabi each semester.
• The University Police Department (UPD) is working with Associated Students Inc. to establish an information campaign about safety escorts on campus.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 3: Educate students on appropriate methods of prevention and intervention to promote prosocial behaviors

• Student Health and Counseling Services, in collaboration with SVAT, is creating additional video material regarding intervention and being an active bystander.
• More events will be held that bring together students, faculty, staff, and administrators to voice concerns and recommendations and to raise awareness about prevention and resources to end campus sexual assaults.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 4: Hire additional employees to support prevention and response

• An additional confidential advocate has been hired and will start on Jan. 31, 2023. The advocate will be in the American River Courtyard.
• OEO is in the process of hiring two complaint response officers/Title IX investigators. Their duties will include ensuring that reporting processes are improved and aligned with trauma-informed practices.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 5: Increase outreach opportunities and communication of educational and support resources for survivors

• OEO hired two student interns to create and promote educational campaigns, targeted outreach materials, and resources for students.
• A new trauma-informed resource, “Sheets for Survivors,” has been created.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 6: Enhance campus public-safety features

• More Community Service Officers (CSOs) have been hired to establish a greater presence on campus on evenings and weekends, and to provide safety escorts as needed.
• Lighting around Eureka Hall has been fixed and/or upgraded, and the fixtures in the lower level of that building will be fixed and upgraded this week.
• A social worker will be hired to work with UPD so that an additional resource can be readily available to the campus community. The job requisition for this position will open this month.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

Goal 7: Embed a trauma-informed approach in the Title IX complaint response process

• OEO has enhanced its complaint response process to ensure that they respond in a timely, compassionate, and equitable manner.
• Two complaint officers have been hired to provide a trauma-informed response to address the cumbersome reporting process.
• Learn more about the action steps for this goal in the Action Plan.

I hope you will take the time to read the action plan. Several divisions on campus will continue to collaborate to complete the action steps and add new action steps and goals as needed. To share additional recommendations or other feedback, please email president@csus.edu.

Again, I thank the students, faculty, and staff who have stepped up to voice their experiences, anxieties, and ideas. Together, we can end sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Please participate in the CSU's Title IX Assessment survey

Jan. 23, 2023 - In our continuing efforts to create a safe, welcoming and caring campus environment, we invite and strongly encourage you to use this link to participate in the CSU’s Title IX Assessment survey, which will remain open through Feb. 15, 2023.

As part of an effort across the California State University’s 23 campuses, Cozen O’Connor Institutional Response Group is assessing how we respond to reports and incidents of discrimination and harassment. This work is meant to help us improve the CSU's Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) training, awareness, prevention, intervention, compliance, and support systems.

We need and value your candid input. We understand that topics relating to sexual harassment and assault may be triggering for someone who has experienced these behaviors. Participation is completely voluntary, and confidential responses will go directly and exclusively to Cozen. If you need additional support or want to provide feedback related to specific cases, please contact the Title IX Office via email or by calling 916-278-5770. You may also send your confidential comments to the dedicated email address established for the assessment: CalStateReview@cozen.com.

Up-to-date information including next steps can be found on the CSU Title IX Assessment website. Thank you in advance for helping to ensure Sacramento State is a safe and inclusive place where all of us can thrive. Stingers Up!

We stand with our AAPIDA community against all forms of hate, violence

Jan. 22, 2023 - As was the case with many of you, I awoke today to the news of another mass shooting, this time at a dance studio in Monterey Park. The shooting turned a day of joyous Lunar New Year celebration into a day of shock, horror, and grieving. At least 10 people were killed and many others wounded. I am deeply saddened and disturbed by this latest act of brutal violence. To all AAPIDA members of the Hornet Family, we grieve with you and will continue to stand with you against all forms of hate and violence.

We currently don’t know if this event was another hate crime as technically defined by law. But it surely involved hate and probably madness, and we do know that it was senseless and horrifically wrong.

Monterey Park has one of the largest AAPIDA populations in California. Motivation for this shooting is unknown as I write this message, but it is another example of senseless and brutal violence against the AAPIDA community. Again, I ask the Hornet Family to come together in our grief in hopes that we can heal and find a way to end such cruel and heartless acts within our country. We must continue to demand change in our culture and in gun laws to end the mass shootings that have become too common in America. And we must effectuate that change.

I ask that you reach out to your fellow Hornets, families, and friends, and make sure that those who need extra support utilize the services and resources offered by our University.

• Students can visit Student Health and Counseling Services online and at 916-278-6461.
• Sacramento State has counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online and at 800-367-7474.

At this Lunar New Year, let us stand strong with our AAPIDA community and commit to all that the Year of the Rabbit symbolizes: longevity, prosperity, and, first and foremost, peace. Hornets, as we grieve, let’s commit ourselves to being a family that is united and shows the way to safety and peace.

Reminder: President's "Spring Address" is Friday, Jan. 20

Jan. 18, 2023 - I hope you are planning to join me for my final “Spring Address,” 9 – 11 a.m. this Friday, Jan. 20, in the University Union Ballroom. Rather than deliver a formal address, I will be roasted by members of the Hornet Family who will share their memories of what it has really been like to work with me. Robin Carter will serve as the emcee. ASL and captioning will be provided. To request additional accommodations and to RSVP, please use this form.

I would love to see you there to help me begin my last semester as president with some laughs.

Stingers Up!

Reception in honor of Mark Hendricks has been rescheduled for Feb. 22

Jan. 13, 2023 - I am pleased to share that we have rescheduled the reception to officially congratulate Mark Hendricks on his appointment as chief information officer and vice president for Information Resources and Technology. Please join us to celebrate Mark, 4 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Engrained Restaurant in the University Union. Please click here to RSVP by Feb. 8.

View the invitation here. Stingers Up!

Campus resources are available for those affected by storms

Jan. 12, 2023 - I am grateful that campus still has power and has sustained very little damage, other than downed trees and branches, as a result of recent winter storms. However, I know that many members of the Hornet Family have suffered discomfort and losses over the past week. Though SMUD and PG&E are working around the clock, many are still without power; some have had to evacuate homes because of flood risks; and a number of homes have suffered devastating damage from wind and rain. It is heartbreaking to see pictures of the destruction around the region and to hear stories of hardships endured by our faculty, staff, and students. I want to make sure that everyone is aware of resources available to help them.

Employees, students, and community members are welcome to use buildings such as the University Union and the Library as places of refuge to be warm, access the internet, and charge devices. These buildings are open for regular winter hours, which you can find on the University website. UTAPS has provided a courtesy parking permit code, valid in student parking lots/structures throughout campus now through Jan. 15. Anyone using relief services can easily access buildings with those parking permit codes. Please use the code EV11131 at campus parking permit machines located throughout student parking lots/structures to receive a courtesy permit. It will help if you know your vehicle license plate number when you use a parking permit machine.

Employees who are in need because of costs associated with storm damage or displacement can utilize the Staff & Faculty Emergency Fund, which is funded by the generous donations of our own employees. Another resource is the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, and financial and legal consultation for staff, faculty, and their immediate families. The Office of Emergency Services provides information about shelters as well as other emergency resources.

Students can contact Sac State’s CARES Office at 916-278-5138 or online for assistance with emergency housing and information about emergency grants. The ASI Food Pantry has limited hours over winter break but is still scheduling after-hours pickup. Visit their web page or call 916-278-3978 for hours and other information. Student Health and Counseling Services also is available during the break, including for telehealth appointments. For more information about their available services and hours, call 916-278-6461 or visit their web page.

We’re thankful that in the coming days the worst of these storms are likely to be behind us. We anticipate that all campus offices will be fully operational starting Tuesday, Jan. 17. If you are facing severe and prolonged damage or have other storm-related impediments to returning to in-person work or classes, please reach out to your manager or professors.

Thank you for your continued compassion and care for one another. Stingers Up!

Commencement will be May 19-21 at Golden 1 Center

Jan. 10, 2023 - I am pleased to announce that we will hold our 2023 Spring Commencement ceremonies May 19-21 at Golden 1 Center. I am excited to celebrate graduation with our students, and their families and friends at this incredible venue one last time before my retirement.

The Commencement website has been updated with the detailed schedule and other important information about the event. Graduating students should check out our FAQ page for answers to common Commencement-related questions. In the unlikely event that there is a change in venue or schedule, we will notify graduates via SacSend and through updates posted to the Commencement website.

Students must register to participate in Commencement. In March, eligible students will receive an email to indicate that the link in their Student Center is active so they can register and claim guest tickets. Each eligible graduate will be allotted eight tickets to their specific ceremony. They will be able to access their tickets through their Student Center beginning March 1. A step-by-step guide to claiming tickets soon will be available on the Commencement website.

Only Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023 graduates are invited to attend Commencement. I’m sorry, but we are unable to accommodate requests for exceptions. Graduates may check back with the Commencement Office in March or April to see if this information has changed.

I look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with the Hornet Family. Until then, Stingers Up!

Today's reception for Mark Hendricks is postponed

Jan. 9, 2023 - Today we had planned to celebrate Mark Hendricks’ appointment as chief information officer and vice president for Information Resources and Technology with a reception at Engrained Restaurant. However, in the interest of safety, we have decided to postpone the event. We will share a new date as soon as possible. Stingers Up!

Campus has power but some services will be limited this week

Jan. 8, 2023 - Early this morning, I was on campus surveying the damage from last night’s storm, and I am grateful to report that we sustained no damage to buildings and still have power, including Folsom Hall which lost power for a short time. We did lose 20-plus trees, and there are branches (some large) strewn across campus. Unfortunately, as I write this message, 274,000 residents are still without power, and the Sacramento region is bracing for more high winds and heavy rain on and off for the next several days. Our crews are working to clear the damage, and I can hear their chainsaws outside my office windows.

I cannot thank the groundskeepers, trades workers, and overall facilities personnel enough for what you have done for our Hornet Family and for what you are doing right now – on a Sunday afternoon. Without you, we would have no University, and we would not have the Miracle on J Street, graduating so many students because of you and your sacrifices.

Since campus currently has power, the University Union and The WELL will be open for their regular winter hours Monday and throughout the coming week, but there will be minimal other services on campus. Travel tomorrow could be difficult and dangerous due to storm damage and expected new storms. Hence, new-student orientation sessions scheduled for Monday, Jan. 9, have been changed to virtual format. We will need some people on campus, but until this Thursday or until further notice, managers should allow staff to work from home, if it is operationally feasible to do so. Faculty teaching winter intersession classes may still hold in-person classes on campus but should show flexibility to students who have difficulty attending classes because of loss of power or inability to travel.

As we face the next phase of severe winter storms, please stay safe and continue to show compassion and care for each other. Stingers Up!

Steve Perez will be interim provost at Chico State

Jan. 6, 2023 - As I write this message, I am reminded that the only constant in life is change. Last month I was very pleased to announce that Steve Perez would return to Sacramento State in January as our provost after having served for the last year as San Jose State’s interim president. I also was proud to announce that, after consultation with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Carlos Nevarez had agreed to serve as the interim senior associate vice president of Sacramento State Placer Center once Steve finished his term at San Jose State.

As you may have heard, in the meantime, the provost at Chico State resigned from her position in mid-December. Subsequently, Steve was asked to take his experience and leadership skills to Chico State and to serve there as the interim provost. Characteristically, Steve (who served as interim provost, interim dean of the College of Business, and interim chair of Kinesiology at Sacramento State before becoming the permanent provost in 2019) has agreed to step up and step into this additional leadership role where he will provide the stability, savvy, and wisdom needed during this transitional time at Chico State.

I am grateful that Carlos has agreed to remain in the role of interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs until Steve returns. Carlos has provided steady leadership in his time as interim provost, and I am confident he will continue to move us toward our student-focused strategic goals for as long as he is called upon to do so. Because Carlos will not be able to assume Placer Center responsibilities as planned, and because plans for the Placer Center are proceeding quickly, we will immediately begin a search to fill that position.

Though I am disappointed that Steve will not return this semester, I am proud that he again has been called upon to serve. Our Sacramento State leaders are highly regarded in the CSU system and in the state and are willing to serve when called upon. I wish Steve and Chico State the very best. He is a transformative leader who will serve them well. Stingers Up!

Come watch me get roasted by the Hornet Family

Jan. 5, 2023 - Since I became president of Sacramento State in 2015, I have delivered a formal address to faculty, staff, and students at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. This spring, we will be rolling out our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, which normally would be the main topic for my final address. It is almost finished, but we continue to gather feedback. Until everyone has had a chance to provide input, we would be remiss to present it as a finished product. Moreover, as you all know, I will retire in July. A new president shouldn’t have the weight of an old president’s final words hanging around her, his, or their neck. Therefore, we have decided to lighten things up. Instead of another speech, we are going to have a “roast” – it was either have a roast or let people pay to throw pies in my face (which I have already done a couple of times in the quads). As we begin this last semester, let’s do it with some laughs.

We have arranged for members of the Hornet Family to share their memories of what it has really been like to work with me, how they have had to cover for my foibles, and what it is really like in the Ivory Tower we call Sacramento Hall. A few brave members of Cabinet, deans, administrators, faculty senators, students, and more will take their turn at the microphone. Robin Carter will serve as the emcee, and I am going to steel myself against the barbs and arrows that will come my way. I hope that we can laugh as only the Hornet Family can laugh.

This “Spring Address” is scheduled for 9 – 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in the University Union Ballroom. I would love to see you there. ASL and captioning will be provided. To request additional accommodations and to RSVP, please use this form.

Let the fun begin. Stingers Up!

Nathan Dietrich appointed AVC Advocacy and State Relations

Jan. 5, 2023 - Please see the below message from Lori A. Redfearn, administrator-in-charge, California State University (CSU) Division of University Relations and Advancement.

On behalf of Lori A. Redfearn, Administrator-in-Charge, Division of University Relations and Advancement:

Marking the successful conclusion of a national search, I am pleased to announce that Nathan Dietrich has been appointed to the position of assistant vice chancellor for advocacy and state relations effective January 17, 2023.

Nathan joined California State University, Sacramento in September 2015 as director of state and federal relations and was promoted to associate vice president for public affairs and advocacy in February 2020. In his current role, Nathan has spearheaded the university’s local, state, and federal government and community relations efforts; cultivated relationships with a wide variety of legislators and key staff members; oversaw the management of Sacramento State Downtown, the university’s academic, research and civic engagement hub; and provided oversight for the campus Center for California Studies. As a key member of President Robert Nelsen’s cabinet, Nathan has served on the university’s Graduation Initiative 2025 Task Force, built momentum for the annual “Sac State Day at the Capital” advocacy event, secured more than $3 million in state and federal funds in 2022 alone and helped create a $100,000 grant program to fund strategic community engagement.

Prior to joining the Sacramento State team, Nathan served under two members of Congress: Congressman Robert Matsui from 2002 to 2005 and Congresswoman Doris Matsui from 2005 to 2015. As deputy district director and later district director for Congresswoman Matsui, he helped to establish and manage the legislator’s district office; served as her primary liaison with elected officials, business leaders, governmental agencies and constituents; engaged with stakeholders and federal agencies on flood protection, transportation, education, energy and health care issues; and led the Congresswomen’s involvement in key regional projects, including multi-million-dollar flood insurance relief for the community of Natomas, the $900 million Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project and a $70 million project to relocate railroad tracks in downtown Sacramento

Nathan holds two bachelor’s degrees – in political science and communication – from the University of California, Davis and a master’s degree in public administration – with a certificate in political management – from USC. He is a past president and member of the board of directors of the West Sacramento Foundation, a volunteer organization devoted to helping local nonprofits improve the quality of life for West Sacramento residents.

Please join me in congratulating Nathan and wishing him success in his new role. I am sad to see him leave Sacramento State, but thrilled that he will continue to work hard for our students, our University, and our region as assistant vice chancellor for Advocacy and State Relations for the CSU. Stingers Up!