Budget Update from the Provost

May 17, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

I must share the disappointing news that our division has been directed to reduce our budget by about $9.6 million for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year due to state budget constraints. This is an immense and daunting figure that will inevitably impact our operations.

However, I want to make clear that protecting the quality of our core academic mission is my highest priority as we navigate this difficult situation. We cannot allow these budget cuts to derail the exceptional teaching, scholarship, and student support services that contribute to our university’s success.

Over the past several weeks, I have been working closely with the Academic Affairs Leadership Team to thoroughly review all expenditures and identify areas where reductions can be made with the least harmful effects on students. My charge to every dean, associate vice president, and director was to bring forward innovative cost-saving ideas while continuing to advance your areas’ key strategic priorities.

All options must be on the table, whether that involves consolidating redundant functions, implementing strict spending freezes, consolidating programs, leveraging technology for efficiencies, or other measures to preserve our instructional capabilities. We need to prepare not only for the short-term financial challenges, but for the next two years. However, I will not support any proposals that risk undermining our academic excellence and the success of our students.

Sacramento State is at the forefront of notable evolutionary initiatives. At the same time, this might be viewed as a contradiction to the budget cuts we are being asked to undertake. Many of these new initiatives are being supported by external funding sources. An update will be provided at a town hall meeting sponsored by the University Budget Office in Fall 2024. We will continue to explore and pursue innovative funding streams so that we can offer new and forward-thinking programming.

The road ahead will require shared sacrifice, but I am confident that this crisis will reveal the resilience of our community. We have weathered financial storms before by making judicious decisions and protecting our defining strengths.

While this is undoubtedly a challenge of historic proportions, I know our talented and dedicated educators will rise to meet it. Our university's bright future remains, and we will get through this together.

Carlos Nevarez,
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

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Message from the Provost: Year in Review

May 16, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

I want to thank you all for your unwavering commitment to our students' successes, wellness and futures, regardless of the challenges that arose this year. Each and every one of you played a pivotal role in assuring that our students’ needs were met and that they continue to learn and grow in a prosperous environment.

Sac State is celebrating its first year with a new president, who has made a huge impact on the trajectory of our University. President Wood's transformational leadership has elevated Sac State and shown the nation what we as a University can do. Our University is at the forefront of many evolutionary initiatives, one being the establishment of the first-in-the-nation Black Honors College, which President Wood announced earlier this year. President Wood also took the time to listen to our students, faculty and staff and showed that his priority is the well-being and success of our campus community. I am excited to continue to partner with President Wood on future initiatives that will elevate Sac State as a university and prioritize our campus community.

As the semester rapidly comes to an end, it is good to take a step back and reflect on such a prominent year. This year has been filled with new, exciting and innovative times, as Sac State continues to not only shatter expectations but become the first in many ways. Our success as a university comes solely from our students, without whom there would be no Sac State. This year we are celebrating the success of 9,714 graduates, which is an amazing achievement. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the faculty and staff for being a part of these students’ success.

As summer slowly approaches, I urge you all to take some time to recharge and enjoy your summer break. Thank you for all you do for our university and our students!

Below you will find highlights from the past academic year that display the rich culture of teaching and scholarship at Sac State.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

2023 - 2024 Academic Affairs Highlights

• Sac State students shine in the CSU Student Research Competition - Our students participated in this years CSU wide Student Research Competition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and five came back triumphant. Brittney Grotz; masters of arts in Communication Studies; Cassandra Henderson, doctorate in Education; and Hanna Franklin, masters of science in Biological Sciences took first place. Belle Gaelsman and Zubair Mayhar, bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, took second place. Their accomplishments exemplify the high caliber of scholarship and innovation that defines our Sacramento State community.
• $3.8 million in grants secured by College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics faculty - Dr. Enid Gonzalez-Orta and Semarhy Quiones were awarded $1.3 million from the National Institutes of Health. In addition the National Science Foundation awarded $2.5 million awarded Quiones and Kelly McDonald. These grants will fund ongoing programs that serve students who traditionally face barriers in STEM fields.
• BECOMING murals unveiled - Sac State welcomed the newest murals on the Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching and Research building (formerly Santa Clara Hall) as part of the Believing, Becoming and Being Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Plan project.
• Sac State partners with California Tribal College - The California Tribal College's administration will now be based at Sac State to allow Native students to receive support and boost Native American student success.
• Festival of the Arts program - The College of Arts and Letters held its signature program, Festival of the Arts. The festival featured performances, exhibits, guest lectures and master classes from local and national artists, including Sacramento State students and faculty.
• CSU awards Sac State $250,000 - Sac State will receive $250,000 from the CSU system to help establish the nation's first Black Honors College, which will implement programs that promote Black student success. The college will welcome its inaugural class in the fall.
• Faculty Milestone Awards Ceremony - The Office of Faculty Success held the first Faculty Milestone Awards ceremony. Faculty were recognized for their years of service from 20 - 50 years.
• AANHPI executive director named - Timothy Fong, Ethnic Studies, has been named the inaugural executive director of a new CSU program serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students
• Student Health and Counseling Services provides wellness in the Classroom - This project seeks to provide faculty with the tools and resources to create conditions for student wellbeing and optimal learning in the classroom.
• CCE offering new CTE Credential - The College of Continuing Education's new Career Technical Education credential program will be the only one of its kind in Sacramento County. This online program prepares teachers with the skills needed to transform their career knowledge into educational curriculum.
• Sac State receives $5.9 million to expand College Corps - College Corps is a program that gives students the chance to earn money while working to improve the local community. The goal is to engage students from diverse backgrounds in community service related to their field of study.
• ECS wins national diversity recognition - The College of Engineering and Computer Science received a Bronze award from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program (DRP). This award recognizes engineering colleges that are making significant progress in increasing the diversity, inclusion, and degree attainment of their programs.
• COE Team visits NACADA - The Student Success Center team in the College of Education attended the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising regional conference. NACADA is the premier organization supporting academic advising. The team was joined by advisors from Sac State’s other colleges. A presentation from Student Affairs on “Utilizing Culturally Engaging Advising and Innovative Practices to Build a Student Success Center” was well-received.
• CAPCR receives $399,111 grant for restorative justice work - The Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR), under the direction of Criminal Justice professor Ernest Uwazie, has received two one-year grants totaling nearly $400,000 to fund victim-offender dialogue work for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
• Enhanced BHON support - The College of Business is thrilled to announce that Five Star Bank has not only renewed its commitment to the Business Honors (BHON) program but has also doubled its annual sponsorship from $10,000 to a generous $20,000. This significant increase will now cover both BHON cohorts, ensuring an even brighter future for the college’s talented students.
• Sac State partners with MMA - President Wood and UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber announced the creation of Combat U, a new program that will give students the opportunity for education and competition in combat sports.
• New AI institute and director announced - President Wood announced the launch of the National Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Society (NIAIS) and named Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Sidorkin as Sac State's new chief artificial intelligence officer. The NIAIS is the first of its kind in the CSU.
• Carlsen Center director wins international entrepreneurship award -Cameron Law, executive director of the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, received the Ecosystem Champion Award at the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Melbourne, Australia, in September. Law was among 18 individuals and organizations receiving awards at the event, which recognizes excellence in entrepreneurship, policymaking, investor support programs and research.
• Maleeha Khan named executive director for graduate programs - Maleeha Khan has been hired as executive director for Graduate Programs in the College of Business. Khan holds a BSBA in Accounting from Sac State and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of San Francisco.She will oversee the college's six graduate programs: MBA, MS Business Analytics, MS Finance, MS Accountancy, MBA for Executives, and the online IMBA.
• State of California awards Sac State $6.5 million for early childhood education center - California state Assemblymember Kevin McCarty was on campus to present a check for $6.5 million to fund a new center for early childhood education, the Innovation Center for Early Childhood Education, which will be housed in the College of Education. Pia Wong will serve as interim director.
• Sac State receives Seal of Excelencia re-certification - Sac State is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation and has been a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since 2015. The University once again has earned the coveted Seal of Excelencia certification, which highlights its commitment to programs and policies that uplift Latine scholars.

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Provost Advisory: Flexibility and understanding for students

May 2, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As you may know, there is an encampment in the Library Quad formed by students and community members as part of a free speech demonstration. Sacramento State's responsibility as a public university is to promote and provide a safe space for those who choose to exercise their constitutional rights. We ask for you to provide flexibility and be understanding to students during this time regarding their attendance and assignment submissions. Campus will remain open and fully operational during this time.

Our focus is to ensure that our students rights are respected, while also adhering to the University's Time, Place & Manner Restrictions on Speech and Speech-Related Activities policy. Individuals who need support are encouraged to consider the services and resources offered by Sacramento State. Students should visit Student Health and Counseling Services online, or call 916-278-6461. Sacramento State has counselors ready to support faculty and staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) online, or call 800-367-7474.

We are committed to supporting community members, staff and faculty, who have been affected by the events on campus in any way.If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your department or division managers.

Carlos Nevarez,
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

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CHRS Message to Faculty

April 19, 2024

Dear Faculty Member:

The Chancellor’s Office is leading a systemwide initiative, called the Common Human Resources System (CHRS), to improve our existing HR system. CHRS will bring changes in the way that faculty, staff, and administrators utilize the HR system. Many of our current processes and procedures will be updated, and further communications will share information on what to expect.

What is the timeline?

Sacramento State is part of the second group of CSU campuses to go live, in Spring, 2025, along with Chico State and CSU San Bernardino. The first group, CSU Fullerton, Stanislaus, Cal Maritime, and Channel Islands went live in Fall, 2023. We will keep you posted on any changes that are implemented before Spring 2025.

Where can you learn more about CHRS?

More information can be found at the CHRS website. Additional updates will be shared in the coming months.

This initiative involves a tremendous amount of teamwork among various units on campus to ensure that the process is carefully planned and supported. I want to thank Machelle Martin, Senior AVP of Human Resources, our HR Sponsor, for leading this change along with our IT Sponsors, Mark Hendricks, Vice President/CIO and Hema Manickavinayaham, AVP for Planning and Digital Transformation.

Thank you for your support,

Rebecca Cameron, Academic Sponsor
Vice Provost, Faculty Success (Interim)

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Feedback Forum with Academic Affairs

April 4, 2024

Academic Affairs is the largest division on campus, comprised of thousands of faculty and staff. We are all agents of change in service of the core mission of the University. We inspire transformative learning and knowledge creation at California’s Capital University. We deliver transformational educational experiences to our diverse student body, our community and our region. We empower faculty to take on new and innovative practices, while maintaining support so no one is over-burdened, and everyone shares in our successes. Learn more about Academic Affairs at: https://www.csus.edu/academic-affairs/

As Per President Wood's Moving Forward Memo #9, which tasks each division vice president to incorporate regular feedback forums, Academic Affairs will be holding a feedback forum on Thursday, April 18, 2024, 9-10AM in Riverview Hall, Elderberry & Beetle Room. RSVP here by April 11, 2024.

If you prefer, you can complete an online survey . Your responses to this survey will be kept confidential so please provide your honest feedback. We look forward to hearing from you and we truly value your time and comments.

To request ADA reasonable accommodations that would allow you to participate in this event, please contact Cheryl Johnson by April 11, 2024.

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Join Us! Reckoning with Relevance

March 28, 2024

Dear Campus Community,

Academic Affairs, in collaboration with the Division of Enrollment and Engagement and the Division of Student Affairs invites you to join “Reckoning with Relevance” on Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00 am – 11:00 am in the University Union Ballroom. This is an opportunity to hear a comprehensive update on the State of Education that was recently shared with the Board of Trustees, CSU presidents and vice-presidents, and the Sacramento State Administrative Council. The event also includes an opportunity to engage in table top discussions with colleagues and peers.

Sally Amoruso, Chief Partner Officer with Education Advisory Board (EAB), will join the campus community to share their findings and engage in discussions on what it looks like to "not do business as usual" in education. The presentation focuses on key trends institutions are facing:

• Public Perception on Higher Education,
• Enrollment and Demographics,
• Sustainable Business Models,
• Student Readiness, and
• Artificial Intelligence.

Education Advisory Board (EAB), is a trusted partner and service provider to more than 2,000 education providers across the nation and has a more than forty-year history in supporting education. EAB has numerous touchpoints with Sacramento State including Navigate 360 and Enroll 360, and has recently been working with Chancellor Mildred Garcia on system-level opportunities for impact.

The event will be the first of many opportunities for meaningful dialogue that includes opportunities to share perspectives, co-create solutions, and develop concrete action steps that continue to position Sacramento State for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Light refreshments will be provided, and we encourage you to RSVP to Reckoning with Relevance to help us better accommodate everyone attending. Captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Please email eme@csus.edu with questions.

We hope you will join us as we come together as a Hornet Family and shape the future of Sacramento State and higher education.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best regards,

Carlos Nevarez, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

Aniesha Mitchell, Vice President for Student Affairs

Jenni Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment & Engagement (Interim)

RSVP

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Message from the Provost and Academic Affairs March Newsletter

March 25, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As we survey the current state of higher education, it’s easy to get discouraged. Pandemic learning loss, shrinking budgets, and the public’s unsteady confidence in the benefit of a college education are realities that each of us face every day. But, if the world is giving us a thousand reasons to give up hope in our chosen profession, there are more reasons–29,000 more--reasons to believe in the future: our students.

All across our campus, our students are having the kind of educational experiences that will define their life and careers. For example, I just learned that a number of our students from the Department of Design were regionally recognized for their hard work and brilliant designs. You can read more about them and other faculty and student successes in the highlights below. I love learning about the accomplishments of all our students, especially those in the creative disciplines who don’t always get the attention they deserve.

I truly believe that a Sac State education can take you anywhere. But for students to embark on that journey to fulfilling lives, we must give them the support, safety and encouragement to pursue their dreams. With recent data has illuminating concerning trends, including a nearly doubled prevalence of anxiety and depression among college students over the last decade, we must ensure we support the holistic well-being of our students, not just academically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

Two ways to provide that support (described in more detail below) are to encourage them to participate in the National College Health Assessment III (NCHA), happening from March 25 to April 12, and to participate ourselves in the Sac State’s 13th annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention, happening Thursday, April 11.

Lastly, I’d like to announce that the Office of the Provost is saying a bittersweet goodbye to our Communications Strategist, Cherie Parker, who is leaving to take a position with the University of Maryland System. During her time here, Cherie was able to help us identify critical communications needs in Academic Affairs and the practices we will adopt to address them. I am looking forward to working with whomever we hire to fill her position to bring those practices to scale. Please join me in wishing her the best in her new endeavor.

As we enter the final stretch of this academic year, I want to thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students. Your passion and commitment are the driving forces that make our mission of transformative education possible.

Carlos Nevarez

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

Highlights and Announcements

Textbook adoptions are due Friday, April 19 - The bookstore needs to hear from faculty about all courses and sections, even if they are not assigning a textbook. Be sure to identify course sections for which ZCCM (zero cost) and LCCM (low-cost, i.e., $40 and under) materials have been adopted so that Administrative Support Coordinators can enter the appropriate code in CMS. There is a “free coffee” incentive for early adopters who notify the Bookstore of their adoptions by Friday, April 12 (via a “Follett Discover” link in Canvas or by emailing danielle.nodine@csus.edu or textbooks@csus.edu). In addition, departments with the highest percentage of on-time adoptions will be entered into a drawing for $250 in bookstore merchandise.

Two New AI Opportunities for Faculty -

• The Summer of AI Project provides up to $12,000 in Summer 2024 salary to faculty member, plus up to $6,000 for student assistant support. Deadline is April 15, 2024.
• AI Champions Program will provide 3 units of reassigned time to TT faculty in Fall 2024 to assist one’s colleagues in the integration of effective and equitable use of artificial intelligence within their respective colleges/library. Deadline is April 15 as well.

National College Health Assessment III - In collaboration with the CSU Chancellors office, Sac State Student, Health, Counseling, & Wellness Services will be administering the National College Health Assessment III (NCHA) to Sac State students from March 25 to April 12 . The NCHA III is a nationally recognized research survey developed by the American College Health Association. This survey is voluntary and confidential, and it provides students with an opportunity to help make a positive impact on the campus community as their input is used to improve and create health and wellness programs on campus. We are aiming to get 5,000 completed surveys. A random sample of 10,000 students will receive an email in their CSUS account with an invitation to complete the survey. Please share this information with your students and encourage them to participate if they receive an email. For more information on the NCHA III administration contact the SHCWS Health Communications Specialist at 916-278-5422 or beth.maestretti@csus.edu.

Discounted Childcare for CSU employees - ​ If you have a child ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, the California State University provides a 10% savings on full-time, part-time, and drop-in tuition at either KinderCare centers near you, or with Champions extended-day learning programs at participating elementary schools. Present this voucher and proof of employment at a CSU to the Center Director at the time of enrollment This offer is available to new families as well as those already enrolled in a participating center. KinderCare and Champions facilities offer you the routine, stability, and peace of mind that you need. Learn more about accessing your benefit and view frequently asked questions.

AI Fridays with Sasha - Sac State’s Artificial Intelligence “czar” Sasha Sidorkin is offering informal tutorials on specific uses of AI-powered chatbots. Tutorials include a brief demo, practice, and chat with others. Topics chosen are those that may be of interest to staff, faculty with any administrative responsibilities, and administrators.

Tentative topics, subject to change:

• March 29: Memos, letters, formal emails
• April 5: Customized chatbots for student advising, policy advice
• April 12: Meeting minutes, transcript analysis, feedback on own performance
• April 19: Analyzing surveys, questionnaires
• April 26: Developing training sessions/classes
• May 10: Creating illustrations/images
• May 17: Project planning
• May 24: Grant applications, reports

RSVP here or download the Outlook appointment. To request ADA reasonable accommodations that would allow you to participate in this event, please Sasha Sidorkin at sidorkin@csus.edu no later than five business days before the event.

Save the Date: Hornet Community Bus Tour - The Community Engagement Center and Anchor University Advisory Council encourage you to mark your calendars now for our exciting, third annual Hornet Community Bus Tour on May 22-23, 2024. The bus tour is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators to gain a deeper appreciation for Sacramento, culturally, geographically, and historically. Through visits with community and governmental organizations, elected officials and other community members, you will learn about the Sacramento community. This tour aims to foster mutually beneficial partnerships between the campus and community partners and promote engagement across teaching, research, and service. Applications open on March 25 and close on April 15. Apply HERE. Applicants can expect confirmation by the end of April.

Network Café - The Community Engagement Center will be hosting Network Café in-person on April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a focus on “Creative Space: A New Chapter for the Prison Arts Collective”. Featured presentations this month will be from Stephen Blumberg, Director, School of Music at Sac State, and Rachel Clarke, Chair, Art Department at Sac State. This in-person Network Café will take place in The Terrace Suite at The Well. Lunch will be catered by Epicure, and a free event parking code will be provided to those who RSVP. Please register HERE.

6^th Annual Community Engagement Showcase - Community Engagement Center will be hosting the 6^th annual Community Engagement Showcase, which will be held from 9:30 - 11 a.m. in The Well’sShoreline Room. Faculty, staff, students and community partners will share the campus-community work focusing on the theme “Cultivating Authentic Community Partnerships”. Please join to recognize and celebrate the diverse projects and activities that link campus and community. Refreshments will be served, no registration required.

Sac State Design Students and Faculty Making Their Mark - In the past few months a number of students and a faculty member from Department of Design were regionally recognized for their hard work and brilliant designs.These achievements are recognized through our professional partners at the AIA (American Institute of Architects), IIDA (International Interior Design Association), and MBMA (Metal Building Manufacturers Association) Alumni Shelbi Leni (F23) won a Career Award and Alumni Madelyn Aguilar (F23) won a Merit Award from the Regional IIDA for their student design work. Both students were celebrated at the IIDA MERGE event in Fall 2023. This Spring 2024, Maya Westbrock (S24) won second place and Michelle Brown (S24) won an honorable mention in the International MBMA Student Competition. They received cash prizes and recognition along with their Faculty Advisor, Mark Roddy, FAIA. Joselyn Garcia (S24) was selected to be the 2024 Student Liaison to the AIA Central Valley Board and is currently serving her term there and Assistant Professor Emily Potts, AIA was awarded a Chapter Commendation by the AIA Central Valley in recognition for her work in elevating architectural education in our region.

Multicultural Education Conference - Sac State's College of Education is hosting the 30th Annual Multicultural Education (MCE) Conference, Living Legacies and Freedom Dreaming of Multicultural Education, which will be held Friday April 5 (in person at the Student Union Ballroom) and Saturday April 6th (virtual). Register HERE. Classroom teachers can earn 1 CCE credit unit by attending both days of the conference and submitting a reflection on how they plan to implement their learnings from the conference into their classrooms/communities. The Multicultural Education Conference is a completely free event.

COE Team visits NACADA - The Student Success Center team in the College of Education attended the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising regional conference in San Jose, CA on March 17-19. NACADA is the premier organization supporting academic advising. The team was joined by advisors from Sac State’s other colleges and Student Affairs and their presentation: “Utilizing Culturally Engaging Advising and Innovative Practices to Build a Student Success Center” was well-received.

COE Social Justice Exhibit at University Library - The College of Education is hosting an exhibit titled, "Learning to Liberate: The College of Education Social Justice Library Exhibition" on the second floor of the University Library. This is an exhibit featuring COE faculty research, scholarship, and community-engaged collaborations from March 19 to April 30, 2024. The exhibit was curated by Dr. Aaminah Norris, Kenya Burton, and Dr. Sheeva Sabati as well as Student Assistants Daniella Rubio and Abdelnasser Jaradat.

2024 Engineering and Computer Science Exposition - The Engineering and Computer Science Joint Council, with sponsorship from the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is hosting the 2024 Engineering and Computer Science Exposition April 6 at 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m in the University Union Ballroom. The Expo provides an excellent opportunity for ECS students to present their latest innovations to prospective students, University and community members. The aim is to enhance community enthusiasm for science by offering immersive hands-on activities, games, and demonstrations during the event. Find more info HERE.

ECS Achieves Recognition for Diversity Efforts - The College of Engineering and Computer Science recently received notice from the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program (ADRP) that the College has been recognized at the Bronze Level. The Diversity Recognition Program was created by the American Society of Engineering Education to publicly recognize those engineering and engineering technology colleges that make significant, measurable progress in increasing diversity, inclusion, and degree attainment outcomes of their programs. Awardees will be recognized at the 2024 ASEE Annual Conference which will take place on June 23-26, 2024, in Portland

Library Events & Workshops - Did you know that the University Library offers instructional workshop for students and faculty? Throughout the semester, our librarians teach workshops for EndNote, Open Educational Resources (OER) and more. Sign up for one of these workshops, or browse our upcoming events on our website.

Author Lecture: Allison Gilbert on Tuesday, April 4 - The Friends of the Sacramento State University Library invite the campus community to their final author lecture of the year with Allison Gilbert, co-author of Listen World!, a biography of a trailblazing journalist who used her platform to draw attention to social problems of her day, including women’s rights, racism, immigration, capital punishment, and antisemitism. The lecture will be via Zoom (with subtitles) on Tuesday, April 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. Register HERE.

Stress Relief Weeks May 6 through May 17 - Students are invited to take a break at the University Library during Dead Week and Finals Week of Spring Semester 2024. The library will offer stress-relief activities, including games and puzzles, in room 2022 and coloring posters throughout the building. More information will be available later on the library website.

Environmental Studies Prof Secures $742,240 EPA Award - Julian Fulton, Environmental Studies, received his third EPA award of $742,240. His project, Participatory Science for a Trash-Free SF Bay, focuses on trash management in urban stormwater systems. This project involves Sac State students, faculty, and staff, and serves our local community directly. The project will also provide internship opportunities for high school students. EPA’s Regional Administrator, Martha Guzman, announced the awards on March 12 at a conference in Oakland. Fulton’s grant is one of the eight Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) awards.

Happiness Professor Meets with State Leaders - Dr. Meliksah Demir, Psychology and the Rekhi Singh Endowed Professor in Happiness, was invited as an expert to the first convening of the Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy, chaired by Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon. Dr. Demir was among the contributors who met on March 12 to discuss the importance of happiness, the current state of happiness in California, the societal and personal consequences of unhappiness, and potential for solutions.

SSIS Leaders Recognized at APIDA luncheon - Associate Dean Marya Endriga and Sociology Chair Amy Liu were among the awardees recognized at the 2024 Lunar New Year Awards Luncheon honoring APIDA women leaders on campus and in the community and hosted by the APIDA Center and SASEEP.

FACS undergos re-accreditation review - In January, the Didactic Program in Dietetics and Dietetic Internship programs at the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) underwent their re-accreditation review from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). A team of four ACEND reviewers visited the department for onsite evaluation and meetings with stakeholders. The Nutrition, Food & Dietetics program faculty and FACS department chair, current students, alums, and Nutrition Advisory Committee members met with the review teams. Several campus stakeholders also participated in the site visit, including the Provost, College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies' Deans, and other staff from Academic Excellence, Information Resources & Technology, Center of Teaching and Learning, and Student Health, Counseling, & Wellness Services. The site visit yielded very favorable outcomes for the two programs.

SSIS Leaders Take Campuswide Positions - Dr. Boatamo “Ati” Mosupyoe, current Associate Dean for Resource & Program Management has been named Inaugural Dean of Students and Chief Administration Officer of the new Black Honors College. Dr. Rebecca Cameron, former Chair of the Department of Psychology, has been named Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Success.

History Faculty Member on ABC 10 - Dr. Amelia Ying Qin, Assistant Professor in the History department, was interviewed along with Sacramento state students for ABC10 Local News about the traditions of the Lion Dance as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Watch the video of her interview and incredibly talented lion dancers HERE.

English Department Faculty Members Publish Short Stories - Dr. Torsa Ghosal, English, was selected one of the three winners in The Brooklyn Review's 2023 short story contest judged by novelist Ernesto Mestre from among 80+ eligible entries. Read “Heartwood” by Torsa Ghosal HERE. Jamil Kochai, English, published a new short story, “On the Night of the Khatam,” in the February 19 edition of The New Yorker. Read it HERE.

English Prof Wins Queer Scholarship Award - Ruby Mendoza is the winner of the 2024 Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCCs) Lavender Rhetorics Award for Excellence in Queer Scholarship’s Dissertation Award for their dissertation, “A Rhetorical, Decolonial, and Cultural Critique on Cistematic Academic Scholarly Practices: Mobilizing Queer and Trans* Formative BIPOC Resistance for Institutional Critique.” Mendoza will be awarded in person on April 5, 2024 in Spokane, Washington.

Sac State Comms Department Represents in Reno - Communication Studies graduate students, alums and faculty showed up in force at the Western States Communication Association convention in Reno, Nevada. Grad students, recent alums, and faculty presented 14 research papers and discussion talks across eight different interest groups. Among them, Morgan Morley, assistant professor, won a top paper, as did graduate students Alayna Short, Sharon Rodriguez, and Declan Hilliard.

13th annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk - Sac State’s 13th annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention is Thursday, April 11, in front of The WELL. The event will kick off with a Mental Health Resource Fair starting at 4. p.m. with the Opening Ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Hornets for Hope.” Registration includes parking at Parking Structure 3 (top floor only) starting at 3 p.m. Register for the walk HERE. By registering, you are showing support for survivors, students, staff, and faculty at risk, and those who have been affected by suicide. To volunteer, fill out this brief survey. For questions or to request ADA reasonable accommodations that would allow you to participate in this event, contact Ali Hopkins no later than five business days before the event: orlando@csus.edu.

Cultural Competency Students Attend Homelessness Symposium - Students in the Homelessness module for the Cultural Competency certificate program at Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) were recently invited by their instructor to attend the Transitional Housing Communities: Strategies for Recovery from Homelessness symposium. Held on December 12, the symposium was a one-day interactive event dedicated to exploring innovative ways of designing safe and supportive transitional spaces (e.g., interim housing communities) for individuals experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County. The symposium featured faculty and student research as well as professionals working to support our unhoused neighbors. The event was co-sponsored by Sacramento State’s Department of Design (College of Arts & Letters) and the Center for Health Practice, Policy & Research (College of Health & Human Services).

“It has been such a joy to have the opportunity to watch students’ understanding the complex issue of homelessness expand throughout the course,” says Susanna Curry, Associate Professor of Social Work at Sacramento State. “The discussions we had in class were some of the most nuanced and in-depth that I’ve had in my teaching career.”

“I really enjoyed attending the lecture on homelessness in Sacramento,” says student Julie Donohue. “It definitely enhanced the learning experience by allowing a stronger connection with staff and students, but it was also very exciting hearing two speakers from Camp Resolution speak and take questions. Being in the same room adds a dimension to the conversation.”

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Faculty Guidance on Student Disability Accommodations

March 6, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

Under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students who require accommodations are provided equal access in all courses and academic programs.

You can find the CSU Chancellor's Office Policy for the Provision of Accommodations and Support Services to Students with Disabilities HERE.

Students requiring disability accommodations must apply for services with the Disability Access Center (DAC). DAC works to protect the academic integrity of courses while ensuring students requiring accommodations are approved for what is necessary and essential for their equal access. When approved for accommodations, students are then responsible for informing faculty of their need for accommodation by submitting a request through the DAC online portal to have a current letter of approved accommodations sent out to faculty, who are then notified by e-mail that they have a new accommodation letter and are instructed to access the letter through the DAC secure online portal. This portal is the same portal where faculty are requested to submit any exams and quizzes to the DAC Testing Center for proctoring.

Once notified that a student requires accommodations, faculty are required to provide the appropriate course/program modification or adjustment as was approved by DAC. Faculty are not to provide DAC students, or any students they suspect may have a disability, any accommodations that they would not otherwise provide any other students they teach, with the exception of what is outlined in a DAC letter of approved accommodations for the specific students. If there are any questions or concerns regarding what is being required, faculty are encouraged to contact DAC via dac@csus.edu whereupon a staff member will provide guidance.

DAC encourages faculty to include in their syllabi the following statement, to ensure that students are informed on where to go, should they require disability-related accommodations: Sacramento State is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you require disability-related academic adjustments for this class (including pregnancy-related disabilities), please immediately contact Disability Access Center (DAC) discuss eligibility. A current accommodation letter from DAC is required before any modifications, above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class will be provided. Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. DAC is located on the first floor of Lassen Hall 1008. Phone is 916-278-6955 and e-mail is dac@csus.edu.

Faculty interested in developing and designing a reduced barrier universally accessible curriculum are encouraged to seek support from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Planning in advance for a reduced barrier course may be more work up front but in the long run makes it much easier to suddenly accommodate the student who requires videos to be captioned or visually described, books to be available either in pdf or word, requires extended time on quizzes and exams or other accommodations that may require quick pivots. Courses that utilize universal design in learning (UDL) principals provides greater access and opportunities for not only disabled students but also those who would benefit from the increased flexibility but may not have been able to register with DAC due to lack of medical documentation or multiple other reasons.

When we consider attrition and retention at Sac State, we need to factor in the role of faculty and how they have the most important role in whether a student will be able to learn and achieve. Incorporating flexibility into the curriculum can make a difference for all students, including those with disabilities.

In planning ahead for a more inclusive UDL curriculum, faculty are encouraged to consider the following questions:

• What do you want students to be able to do?
• What lasting impact do you want to have?
• What are you trying to assess/measure?
• What might be learning or assessment barriers that students might experience?
• How do I build in flexibility, to be as inclusive as possible, to minimize individual accommodations?
• What do students always get wrong or misunderstand on tests?
• Where do students have a million questions?
• Where are situations where students need multiple ways of teaching, reinforcing or demonstrating of concepts?
• How can I incorporate UDL + 1 (multiple formats)?
  • Ex: If audio, then add transcripts
  • Ex: If text, add media
  • Ex: If Audio and text, add visual descriptions

A few tips for designing a more accessible course include:

• Have syllabus, and list of required texts as well as any audio clips, finalized by registration (so DAC can convert what is required
• Plan ahead to ensure all audio clips, videos and movies are captioned and have audio descriptions (many veterans have lost hearing functions, as may have older students, and others may be low vision or blind)
• Substitute timed tests/quizzes in favor of other assessment methods that do not penalize students requiring extra time/lower distraction testing accommodations). In other words, assess the skills and knowledge but do not penalize the disability.
• Describe in advance aby possible trigger warnings in syllabi
  • Be prepared to have alternative assignments, if possible
  • Technical standards, licensures etc. may be exceptions (DAC can advise)
• Caption Videos (search in advance for deaf/hard of hearing accessible videos)
• Audio Descriptions for videos/movies (plan ahead to have them be accessible for blind/low vision)
• Provide Handouts/Power Points to all students - load into Canvas
• Relax Attendance Policies (don’t paint yourself in a corner for that really good student who has a chronic medical condition that prevents consistent attendance)
• Flexibility for individual or group projects (not reliance on oral only)
• Syllabus with simple layout and minimal jargon
• Use visual tools like power point in class (multiple modes for audio, visual and kinetic learners)
• Provide opportunity for feedback on drafts before final paper/project submission
• Provide flexible ways for students to demonstrate what they have learned

For more information, a department presentation, 1-1 training on the DAC online portal or other concerns related to accommodation processes please contact DAC. We appreciate your commitment to our students and look forward to working with you to make our entire campus a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

Mary Lee Vance
Director, Disability Access Center

Message from the Provost and Academic Affairs February Newsletter

February 28, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

The signs of spring beginning to appear around campus serve as a powerful reminder of the fresh opportunities and growth that each semester brings to our community of learning and inquiry. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your unwavering dedication to the teaching, scholarship, and service that make us Sac State. As we embark on the second half of the academic year together, let us embrace this season of renewal with enthusiasm and optimism, united in our shared pursuit of academic excellence and student success.

Renewal has undoubtedly been in the air all year. Since taking leadership of Sac State, President Wood has been taking bold actions to address long-standing inequities that have negatively impacted our students’ ability to succeed and thrive. After an exhaustive series of listening sessions where hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and other members of the campus community had the opportunity to tell our new president what is--and isn’t--working at Sac State, President Wood has set his leadership team to work on goals aimed at fostering inclusivity and excellence across our institution. From making it easier for staff to advance their careers to creating the nation’s first Black honors college, exciting changes are beginning to happen.

Implementing changes—however necessary—at a 75-year-old institution can be uncomfortable. I recognize that some of you may be feeling apprehensive. But it's crucial to understand that adjusting our practices will help us position our University for continued growth and relevance in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. I invite you to embrace this opportunity for innovation and collaboration as we work together to shape the future of Sac State for generations to come.

One way to embrace innovation and collaboration is to recognize excellence in our colleagues. This Thursday, Feb. 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the University Union Pacific Suite, the Faculty Senate will be holding the 2023-24 Outstanding Faculty Awards. Recipients of these awards are being honored for their outstanding achievements in serving our University through their teaching, their service and their research and creative activities. Some of these faculty are being recognized for putting student success front-and-center, mentoring the next generation of scholars and instilling a passion for education. Others have taken on critical research or creative activities, deepening knowledge and widening understanding in their fields and endeavors. I encourage you to join me in celebrating their contributions and to be inspired by their commitment to advancing our university's mission.

Keep scrolling this newsletter for the latest highlights and announcements from Academic Affairs. We have important reminders and upcoming events to help you stay connected and involved in the vibrant academic community here at Sac State. Thank you for your continued dedication and contributions to our shared mission of academic excellence and student success. Together, let's make this semester one filled with growth, discovery, and achievement.

Carlos Nevarez

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

Highlights and Announcements.

SSIS names New EdInsights Director - On behalf of the Division of Academic Affairs, the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies is pleased to announce Dr. Madeleine R. Kerrick as the Interim Executive Director of the Education Insights Center (EdInsights). Dr. Kerrick draws on nearly two decades of experience working in equity and social justice within healthcare and education. With an established record of securing funding, producing quality research, and building highly collaborative and successful teams, Dr. Kerrick is well-positioned to lead the center during this time of transition. As Director of Evaluation Research, Dr. Kerrick helped to grow EdInsights’ reputation as a trusted education evaluation partner in California using a highly collaborative process based on equitable evaluation strategies. During her five and a half years with the organization, she has brought in and managed more than $6M in research and evaluation projects, advocated for and established career ladders to support an equitable and transparent workplace, and grew EdInsights’ research and evaluation team from three to nine over three years. Prior to joining EdInsights, Dr. Kerrick was an adjunct professor at San José State University. Dr. Kerrick was Made at Sac State, receiving a bachelor’s in Child Development - Social & Community Settings before completing a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her willingness to step into this role in support of the many activities of the Center is greatly appreciated.

Fellowship opportunity for CSU students - Applications for the Japanese American Archival Collection Research Fellows Program (JAAC RFP) opened on Feb. 19. The annual JAAC RFP supports the use of the Japanese American Archival Collection by research fellows for scholarly research and creative end-products relating to the Japanese American experience including: marginalization, racism, and the Constitution of the United States, as well as the principles of democracy and social justice. The JAAC RFP provides two (2) annual fellowships up to $3,000 for individuals or research teams. Priority review begins April 15. More information is available on the library website.

Passing of ECS Emeritus Dean Donald Gillott - Dean Kevan Shafizadeh of the College of Engineering and Computer Science reports that Emeritus Dean Don Gillott passed away on Dec. 23. Gillott was dean of the college from 1976 to 1993. He was an expert in the field of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and was a former chair of the department. Gillott is credited with obtaining the approval to build Riverside Hall, and the college’s Gillott Project Center meeting room on the third floor is still named in his honor. Funeral services were held on Jan. 12 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills.

NSM Awards & Scholarship celebration - The College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics (NSM) will hold an event celebrating the Outstanding Student Awardees from each NSM Department as well as acknowledging the Outstanding Faculty Awards for: Teaching, Community Service, University Service, Scholarly & Creativity. The event also recognizes all College of NSM Scholarship recipients. It is a great way to recognize all of the students and faculty who go above and beyond. Family & friends of the recipients attend the catered event. The event will be held Monday, May 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the University Union Cottonwood Suite.

New COE certifications - The College of Education faculty have recently had three new school personnel certifications approved by the state external accrediting body, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. These are the Reading & Literacy Added Authorization, Reading & Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential, and Career Technical Education Credential. The first two focus on language and literacy instruction for pre-kindergarten to adult learners, with a special focus on addressing extreme reading difficulties and equity issues in reading achievement. The Career Technical Education credential prepares those with industry experience to become teachers in schools with career pathways.

13th annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk - Sac State’s 13th annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention is Thursday, April 11, in front of The WELL. The event will kick off with a Mental Health Resource Fair starting at 4 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony starting at 5:30 pm. This year’s theme is Hornets for Hope. Registration includes parking at Parking Structure 3 (top floor only) starting at 3 p.m. Register for the walk HERE. By registering, you are showing support for survivors, students, staff, and faculty at risk, and those who have been affected by suicide. To volunteer, fill out this brief survey. For questions or to request ADA reasonable accommodations that would allow you to participate in this event, contact Ali Hopkins no later than five business days before the event: orlando@csus.edu.

COE exhibit at the Library - The College of Education is hosting an exhibition in the University Library titled, “Learning to Liberate: The College of Education Social Justice Library Exhibition”. The COE Faculty Research Exhibit will be housed on the second floor of the library and is scheduled from March 19 to April 30, 2024. The exhibit seeks to highlight our amazing faculty and all the contributions they have made in and out of Sacramento State.

CCE Dean named UPCEA Committee Co-Chair - UPCEA, the online and professional education association, announced the election of new officers and new directors to serve on the UPCEA Board of Directors. Elected in November, these individuals will assume their roles March 28, 2024. Pamela Wimbush, Interim Dean of Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE), will serve as a Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Committee Co-Chair for a two-year term (2024-2026). In welcoming Wimbush to the position, UPCEA noted: “Dr. Wimbush has made a significant impact on institutions as a distinguished scholar, researcher, and educator in continuing, professional, and online education. She is dedicated to expanding access and social mobility through quality learning.”

BioSci faculty excelling at student-inclusive research - The Biological Sciences department announces that three recent faculty publications all include student authors:

• Jamie Kneitel, Tim Davidson, and former graduate student, Sean O'Brien’s article Invertebrate community composition differs between restored and natural vernal pools came out Dec. 2,in Restoration Ecology: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14080

• Chris Lopez’s undergraduate researcher, Eileen Garcia Fuentes, is first author on their publication that just came out in January: Eileen Garcia-Fuentes and Christopher Lopez “Draft genome sequence of Metabacillus indicus strain EGFCL74 isolated from spontaneously fermented apple cider” https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01023-23

• Kim Mulligan’s group, which includes 10 Sac State Student authors, published the following article with preprint available: Fishburn JLA, Larson HL, Nguyen A, Welch CJ, Moore T, Penn A, Newman J, Mangino A, Widman E, Ghobashy R, Witherspoon J, Lee W, Mulligan KA. Bisphenol F affects neurodevelopmental gene expression, mushroom body development and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Neurotoxicol Teratol. March–April, 2024 (102); 107331. doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2024.107331

Using Library media resources - The Sac State Library provides access to many streaming media resources. Faculty are encouraged to search the Library's collection of streaming media databases before submitting a request. If there is a title you would like to use that is not active in one of the streaming platforms, please request it through the Course Reserve Request Form.

Sacramento State Design students compete at regional student Design Charette - The Charette is a one-day design showdown where students showcase their talents, dive into collaboration, and tackle a thrilling design challenge. Teams, a dynamic mix of students from different schools and years, will unite forces to create one solution. Each team gets to present their creative work to a panel of designers, architects, and industry leaders. The winning team will be sent to the National Charette at Neocon in Chicago on June 10-12, 2024. Find out more HERE.

Mark your calendar for student film festival - The J Street Film Festival, which celebrates senior capstone films and other student works, will be held Thursday, May 16, at the Crest Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. with films beginning at 7 p.m.

Tschannen Building renamed - The Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching & Research Building (TEB) – Santa Clara Hall (SCL) has been officially renamed the Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching & Research Building (TEB) to recognize the philanthropic gift from Ernest E. Tschannen in anticipation of the future engineering building. Campus maps, signage, and the class schedule are being updated.

Carlsen Center: Startup Challenge - Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is excited to offer another Startup Challenge. The Startup Challenge is a crazy-fun, high-energy, weekend-long event where you learn about startups by doing startups. The Startup Challenge is scheduled for March 1-3. You will create a real startup in one weekend with nothing more than an idea and your wits. Here's how it works: Gather on Friday night, have dinner, talk, network, and get to know all the amazing entrepreneurs we have right here in the Sacramento ecosystem. And then things kick off. You have from Friday night to Sunday night to turn those ideas into a real business. If any accommodations are needed, please contact the Carlsen Center. Register HERE.

Multicultural Education Conference - The annual College of Education Multicultural Education (MCE) Conference will happen in Spring 2024 on Friday, April 5 (on campus) and Saturday, April 6 (via Zoom). The theme for the 30th anniversary of this conference is “Living Legacies and Freedom Dreaming of Critical Multicultural Education”. Learn more about this year’s conference and register HERE.

Carlsen Center hosts University-Wide Innovation Competition -

Do you know a student, innovator, researcher, or entrepreneur looking to, or already working on building a venture or turning an idea into reality? If so, please encourage them to apply for the “University-Wide Innovation Competition.” The competition is for students, faculty, or staff with innovative problem-solving ideas, technologies, and/or startups with the opportunity to compete for prize money totaling $2,500 for the winners. Innovation and startup applications are accepted from across the campus, from any college, department, or center. The “University-Wide Pitch Competition” will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Library 1520. The Carlsen Center will support contestants with two pitch workshops from noon-1 p.m. Register for Tuesday, Feb. 20. Register for Monday, March 4. If accommodations are needed, please contact the Carlsen Center. Learn more and apply by 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 8.

Call for Proposals: Sixth annual Community Engagement Showcase

In keeping with President Wood's commitment to Sacramento State as a Community Engaged Campus, The Community Engagement Center (CEC) is excited to announce our sixth annual Community Engagement Showcase. Our theme for this year's showcase is “Cultivating Authentic Community Partnerships.” Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit proposals to participate by sharing their community-engaged research, projects and/or activities in a poster format. A poster template will be provided when acceptance letters are sent out. The Showcase will be from 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday, April 18, in the WELL Shoreline Room. All proposals are due by Wednesday, March 6. Submit proposals HERE.

Save the date: Hornet Community Bus Tour, May 2024 - The Community Engagement Center and Anchor University Advisory Council encourage you to mark your calendars now for the exciting, third annual Hornet Community Bus Tour on May 22-23. The bus tour is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators to gain a deeper appreciation for Sacramento, geographically and historically. Through visits with community and governmental organizations, elected officials and other community members, you will learn about the Sacramento community. This tour aims to foster mutually beneficial partnerships between the campus and community partners and promote engagement across teaching, research, and service. Applications will open on April 1 and close on April 15. Applicants can expect confirmation by the end of April.

Spring 2024 OWP Water Seminar Series: Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities - The Office of Water Programs (OWP) helps small, disadvantaged, and otherwise underserved communities throughout California and the nation develop plans and access funding to address substandard drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and services. On March 15 from noon to 1 p.m., OWP research engineers Maureen Kerner and Brian Currier will discuss community water needs in California, California's Human Right to Water (AB 685), various state agency programs and initiatives for improved water services for all, and OWP's involvement through contracts with the CA State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The speakers will discuss OWP's collaboration with the State Water Board, EPA, disadvantaged communities, and Sacramento State students through technical assistance addressing funding for equity and resilience, environmental finance programs, water sector needs assessments, lead testing and remediation at child care centers, and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) drinking water well testing. Video recordings of past seminars are available.

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A Coordinated Academic Advising Model is Taking Shape

February 14, 2024

Dear Campus Community,

As you know, President Wood has introduced 23 strategic activities to put the imperatives of our Strategic Plan into action. These bold, yet achievable, actions were outlined after nearly 100 listening sessions with the Sacramento State community and give us concrete steps toward our highest goal of being a stellar example of student success and community service in our region.

Activity 2 states: “Implement a coordinated academic advising model with case management along with a University-wide early-warning system and early-alert system, beginning in Fall 2024”. We’re happy to report that work on implementing that coordinated academic advising model is underway. The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) has completed a review of Sacramento State's academic advising program. The comprehensive report resulting from this review highlights the overarching strengths, challenges, recommendations, and opportunities for enhancing effective advising within our institution. You can access the report here. This report will be one of several measures utilized to guide efforts in building a stronger academic advising program.

As part of our ongoing commitment to improvement, Academic Affairs will soon be reaching out to the campus community via SacSend to solicit participation in a task force charged with leading this effort. The taskforce will work in tandem with the university-wide Advising Council and the Activity 2 Strategic Activity Working Group.

Your input and involvement in this process are highly valued, and we encourage you to engage with us as we work towards refining our academic advising practices.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards,

Carlos Nevarez, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
Aniesha Mitchell, Vice President for Student Affairs

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February Chairs & Directors Meeting Highlights

February 9, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

On behalf of Provost Nevarez, in support of your Department Chairs and Directors, and in the spirit of information-sharing, I am forwarding you some of the highlights from the February Chairs & Directors meeting. The following are three items we felt would be of the most interest to you. We’ve included a brief synopsis of each and links to additional information. Please let your Chairs know if you have additional questions about these topics, so they can assist you.

New Limitations on Streaming Media Licenses

Dean Amy Kautzman of the University Library shared that the costs associated with streaming media for instruction have skyrocketed this year, from $10,000-14,000 over the past few years to $56,000 this fiscal year (to date). Because this is unsustainable, the library has developed new criteria for licensing streaming media. Specifically, courses will be capped at 10 streaming titles per course per semester; faculty will be capped at a budget of $4,500 for streaming licenses per faculty per year; and licensing fees will be capped at $300 per title per year. In addition, feature films may be unavailable for streaming, but may be available as DVDs for viewing in the Library. These limitations may require faculty to revisit their approach to including media in their courses, so we wanted to be sure you have this information as early as possible. Find out more here.

Findings on Student, Staff, and Faculty Digital Tools and Communications

Associate Vice President for Academic Technology Peggy Kay introduced Shannon James, a consultant who has been analyzing our student e-lifecycle business process in order to offer recommendations for alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan. The overarching goal is to improve student, staff, and faculty experiences with digital technologies and tools, business processes and workflow, and student-focused communications. Ten recommendations were highlighted in her presentation, such as making more effective use of the MySacState portal to communicate personalized information to students. This report will help inform a multi-year initiative through 2028.

Faculty Housing - Nine Ten Place Presentation

UEI Executive Director John Melikian, Director of Marketing Services Angela Rader, and Director of Real Estate Services Patrice Griffith presented information on Nine Ten Place, a faculty and staff housing complex under construction just on the other side of the Guy West Bridge. There will be 29 units available, roughly half 1-bedroom and half 2-bedroom. Construction is running on time, with an anticipated opening in Summer 2024. Apartments will be available for 6-12 months, renewable up to 24 months, with a primary goal of assisting new faculty hires in transitioning to Sacramento. Units that are not used by incoming faculty will be available for other faculty and staff. You can find more information and a link to an interest form at the Nine Ten Place web page.

Do you have a suggestion for an issue you would like addressed at a future Chairs and Directors meeting? Fill out our survey here.

Wishing you well, and we’ll be back in touch next month with highlights from our March meeting.

Rebecca Cameron
Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Success

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Guidance and Support Following Weather-Related Challenges

February 5, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

I trust this message finds you well amidst the recent weather-related incidents affecting our community. As many of you are aware, unexpected challenges have arisen due to the latest atmospheric river storm that struck California. Wind gusts were recorded as high as 65 mph resulting in downed trees and knocked out power for more than 200,000 SMUD customers. As of this morning, 40,000 households still do not yet have power restored and a high wind warning remains in place until 10 a.m.

In light of these circumstances, I want to extend gratitude for your flexibility and understanding during these unpredictable times. The safety and well-being of our campus community remain our top priority, and we are committed to navigating these challenges together.

Understandably, some students may face difficulties attending classes, in-person and virtually, due to weather-related issues. I encourage you to communicate with your students and offer the necessary flexibility and understanding during this period. Faculty and staff may also face challenges and I encourage us to approach these situations with empathy and mutual support.

Your dedication and resilience during these trying times stand as a testament to the strength of our academic community. I extend my sincere gratitude for your continued commitment to the well-being of our community. Thank you for your professionalism, understanding, and ongoing dedication to our shared mission during this time.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

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Bena Arao appointed Director of Academic Affairs Resources

January 31, 2024

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Dr. Bena Arao has accepted our offer to step into the position of Director of Academic Affairs Resources, effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Arao comes to Academic Affairs after 18 years at Administration & Business Affairs (ABA) and we look forward to his wise financial leadership as we navigate a challenging budget environment.

Dr. Arao’s most recent role with ABA was Senior Director of Resource and Organizational Management. He also played a key role in the growth and success of the Sustainability & Energy team, championed the Space Management Office, and provided invaluable insights on numerous special projects. Prior to ABA, he was the Controller at the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). He has 25 years of experience working in finance in non-profit, for-profit, K-12 education, and higher education institutions.

At OUSD, Dr. Arao oversaw the budget development and accounting of an annual $400 million general fund, $200 million in construction bonds, and $100 million in special funding. He began working at Sacramento State in 2006 in Facilities Management and Resource and Organizational Management. He has managed complex financial operations in the General Fund, Trust Funds and Construction Funds. He was the financial point person on numerous planning teams for many multimillion-dollar construction projects, including those that oversaw the construction of the Hornet Bookstore, Parking Structure Three, American River Courtyard and the WELL.

Dr. Arao goes above and beyond in his commitment to our campus, serving on numerous committees including the Clery Compliance Team, Marketing and Communications Council, Internationalization Committee, and the Classroom Furniture Project team, which enhances the classroom-learning environment by modernizing the furniture in each classroom at the University every summer. He was lead for the Junior Olympic Event Committee in preparation for the July 2019 USA Track & Field Junior Olympics at Sacramento State.

Bena earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya in 1996. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration degree from University of California, Davis, and his Doctor of Educational Leadership from Sacramento State. His research work has been in the areas of space management, facilities management, and the state of black administrators in the sectors of K-12 and higher education.

As you know, Academic Affairs is the largest division and budget in the university and we were fortunate to have Angel Thayer-Smith in the role of Director of Academic Resources for eight years. Filling her shoes at this critical time required choosing an individual with precisely the right combination of financial acumen, professional experience, and deep knowledge of Sacramento State’s academic priorities and operational capacity. President Wood and I agreed that Bena Arao was the obvious choice to guide Academic Affairs resources and we are thankful he is enthusiastically stepping into the role.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Bena Arao and welcoming him to Academic Affairs.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

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Faculty Guidance as Students Return to Class

January 23, 2024

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As you now know, the CSU and California Faculty Association (CFA) came to a tentative agreement last night and the Unit 3 strike, originally planned to last until Friday, Jan. 26, was cancelled effective immediately. We are happy to welcome all faculty, librarians, counselors, and coaches back to campus as we focus on our shared mission of academic excellence and student success and wellness.

Because the strike cancellation came at an unexpected time, confusion is arising around several issues. Therefore, we are issuing clarification on several points to guide you as we navigate the rest of this week and the start of Spring semester:

• Student leniency – You are undoubtedly finding that many students were caught unaware by last night’s announcement and were unable to adjust their schedules in time to attend class. Many students are also expressing confusion about the abrupt return to “business-as-usual”. Some may not have returned to campus and others may have planned to spend this week on work or caregiving duties. Please stay in communication with all your students and provide them with leniency as needed.
• Drop/add deadlines – Last week we advised faculty to support our students by minimizing or avoiding penalties to students for non-attendance during the week of the strike. Please continue to adhere to relaxed drop/add deadlines as students’ ability to attend class may still be impacted.
• Modality – Please hold your classes in the expected modalities as published on the schedule. We cannot assume our students have access to high-speed internet or other resources needed to change modalities at late notice. We must remember to view our students from an equity-based lens and ensure we are not putting their attendance out of reach.

We appreciate the work that was put in by our CFA-represented campus community and recognize there is a physical, mental, and emotional toll that organizing and participating in a strike takes that requires time to recover from. Please support each other and reach out for help if you need it. You can find resources for support on the Employee Wellness page of the Sacramento State website.

Thank you for all you do for our students and our university. We look forward to beginning this semester in earnest as we work together to build an ever-better Sacramento State.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

David Zeigler
Vice Provost for Student Success (Interim)

Rebecca Cameron
Vice Provost for Faculty Success (Interim)

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Strike Cancelled - All Classes and Activities Resume Tuesday, Jan. 23

January 22, 2024

Dear Faculty and Personnel Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the CSU Chancellor’s Office and the California Faculty Association (CFA) have come to an agreement this evening on contract negotiations. The strike is cancelled effective immediately. More updates to come.

We are happy to have all our Sacramento State faculty, coaches, librarians, and counselors back to work tomorrow, Jan. 23, as we begin the new semester.

As we return to our normal campus activities, please keep your student’s academic continuity in mind and hold your classes in the expected modalities as published on the schedule.

Thank you for all you do for our students and our campus. We look forward to working with you for a productive and meaningful Spring semester.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

Rebecca Cameron
Vice Provost for Faculty Success (Interim)

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Strike Cancelled - All Classes and Activities Resume Tuesday, Jan. 23

January 22, 2024

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce that the CSU Chancellor’s Office and the California Faculty Association (CFA) have come to an agreement this evening on contract negotiations. The CFA has canceled its strike, effective immediately. Classes resume Tuesday, Jan. 23. More updates to come.

Please check your email or course Canvas page for additional information. Faculty are beginning to reach out to students.

Please know that student success and well-being has been the highest priority for the faculty, staff, and administration throughout this process and we are happy to be able to move forward together to help you have the best semester possible.

Carlos Nevarez
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)

David Zeigler
Vice Provost for Student Success (Interim)

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Deidre Sessoms named College of Education Interim Dean

January 19, 2024

On Dec. 14, President Wood announced that Sacramento State is launching the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education (I-AI) and that Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Sidorkin will serve as the University’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Sasha Sidorkin will be leaving his role as Dean of the College of Education to take the new position. Please join me in thanking Dr. Sidorkin for his leadership and vision and wishing him the best in his new position.

I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Deidre Sessoms has been named Interim Dean of the College of Education.

Sessoms holds a Ph.D. in Science Education from UC Davis, public school teaching certification in mathematics, biology, and chemistry, and a B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University in biological sciences. A seasoned educator with 26 years at Sacramento State, she has served in many positions, most recently as Associate Dean for Instruction and Student Success in the College of Education. Other Sacramento State leadership positions include Chair of Teaching Credentials, founding Director of the Student Research Center, Director of Faculty Research Development, Interim Director of First Year Experience Programs, and Director of the Middle Leader Academy of the CSU Student Success Network. Her service to the University extends to the Faculty Senate and its Executive Committee, standing university committees including the University Budget Advisory Committee and the Senate Retention and Graduation Subcommittee, which she chaired.

Dr. Sessoms’ research in STEM education has resulted in two recent publications, including an invited chapter in the AAAS book, “Impacts of the STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR) Program on Teachers, Students, and Classrooms,” and a research article that has been accepted for publication by the journal Science Education titled “Student Outcomes of Practicing Teachers Who Engaged in a Pre-Service or Early Career Teacher Research Experience Program.”

Dr. Sessoms has an extensive record of procuring external grant funding, serving as PI or Co-PI on grants totaling over $8.7M, including 8 funded proposals from the National Science Foundation focused on equity and student success in STEM education. She is a recipient of the College of Education’s Outstanding Community Service Award and the Sacramento City Council Outstanding Community Service award.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Sessoms on her interim appointment.

Carlos Nevarez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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Rebecca Cameron named Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Success

January 17, 2024

I’m pleased to announce that Rebecca Cameron will be moving into the role of Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Success. Dr. Cameron has been serving as Chair of the Psychology Department and brings with her a deep understanding of the administrative operations of our campus, as well as the important role mental and emotional wellness plays in the success of our students, faculty, and staff.

Cameron received a B.A. in Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University, with a clinical internship at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System, followed by an NIMH Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University. Cameron joined the Psychology faculty at Sacramento State in 2001 after two years on a temporary appointment at the University of San Francisco. She has spent most of her time since 2016 as Department Chair, except for a period of time away from Psychology as Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Support in the College of Business. Cameron’s extensive involvement in institutional service includes Faculty Senate, Senate Executive Committee, University Appointment, Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Committee, Academic Affairs Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee, leadership of the University-wide and Psychology-focused honor societies, Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi, as well as collaboration on projects with the PRIDE Center and service on the Transgender Inclusion Task Force.

Dr. Cameron’s scholarship has focused on stress and social support and on improving clinician competence in working with people with disabilities. Recently, she has been partnering with a research team at UC Davis on the American Heart Association-funded PRECISE study (Psychosocial Stressors and Exposomics on CV Health in underserved multi-ethnic populations in Northern California). She has continued to publish on disability issues, including a coauthored chapter on internalized ableism in the 2022 edited book, Clinical interventions for internalized oppression. Cameron has served on 53 thesis committees in her time at Sacramento State, including 20 as committee chair, and has mentored students in both the California Pre-Doctoral Program and the McNair Scholars Program.

Dr. Cameron has also prioritized professional and community service, including efforts to increase access to culturally competent mental health services for Asian American Pacific Islander and LGBTQ communities in Sacramento. She has served the American Psychological Association on the Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology, and the Western Psychological Association as Co-chair of the 2017 Annual Convention. She has been recognized by SSIS with the Outstanding Community Service Award and the Sustained Excellence Award.

I believe Dr. Cameron’s record of academic distinction and her ability to take on complex responsibilities with ease will be an enormous benefit to faculty success at this critical time for our campus. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cameron on her interim appointment.

Carlos Nevarez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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Provost Communications Archive

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