Support for undocumented, mixed-status members of our campus community

November 19, 2024 - We recognize that current events may be creating uncertainty for many people. Sacramento State stands firmly with our students, faculty, and staff from undocumented, mixed-status, and immigrant backgrounds. You are an essential part of our Hornet Family. Please know that Sacramento State stands firmly beside you. We remain deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where everyone can feel respected, protected, and empowered, regardless of immigration status.

I have asked the team in Inclusive Excellence to convene a task force of campus stakeholders to identify additional supports we can provide for our community.

Immediate Support & Resources:

Legal Support Services - No Cost

Immediate access to FREE legal consultations through our partnership with Coalition for Human Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

Available to students, staff, faculty, and immediate family members

Campus Protections and Policies

Sacramento State has robust policies to protect our community:

Strict confidentiality of personal information

Clear protocols regarding immigration enforcement

Guidelines for ICE presence on campus

Access to legal representation

Workplace accommodations as needed

Dreamer Resource Center Support Services

Confidential consultations

Community gathering space

Resource navigation

Connection to additional campus support services

Contact Kim Gomez, coordinator of the Dreamer Resource Center (DRC).

Contact Lilia Contreras, director of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

DRC Newsletter

Sign up to receive updates on events, services, recourses, and news regarding undocumented and mixed-status community members.

Your dedication to our students and campus makes Sacramento State stronger. Your presence enriches our campus, strengthens our academic mission, and makes the University a more vibrant institution. We are committed to ensuring you feel supported and protected as you continue your valuable work.

Congratulations to our women's soccer team on their Big Sky Championship

November 14, 2024 - I'm thrilled to share that our Sacramento State women's soccer team has won the Big Sky Conference Championship for the first time since 2010. This is an incredible accomplishment, and I hope you'll join me in celebrating their success.

The Hornets' championship run was truly remarkable. They are the first No. 5 seed to win the Big Sky Tournament and the only team ever to win all of its tournament matches via penalty kicks.

The team now heads to the NCAA tournament to play its first-round match against No. 1 seed USC at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Dignity Health Sports Park Track Stadium in Carson, California. The match will be the second-ever between Sac State and USC.

You can read more about the Hornet’s amazing season and the upcoming match at Hornet Sports.

Join the Send-Off Celebration on Friday

A celebration at noon Friday, Nov. 15, is scheduled in the Athletic Center to see the team off in style. Come out to show your support as the Hornets load onto the bus at 12:15 p.m.

Don’t Miss the Watch Party

Watch the game with your fellow Hornets on Sunday at Lefty's Taproom, 5610 Elvas Ave. in Sacramento. The celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. ahead of the 2 p.m. kickoff. Light appetizers will be provided, and there's 20% off all food for fans wearing Sac State gear or mentioning women's soccer.

Please join me in congratulating the players, Athletics and coaching staff, and head coach Randy Dedini on the team’s incredible season. I encourage everyone to come out and cheer on our Hornets.

Congratulations again to our champions. We are proud of you, and we are rooting for you!

Stingers Up!

Reaffirming our support for ALL members of our campus community

November 7, 2024 - As we come together after our most recent presidential election, we recognize that moments like these can bring a wide range of emotions and perspectives. Regardless of individual views, it is essential that we support each other and reaffirm our commitment to being a respectful, safe, supportive, and inclusive space for everyone in our Hornet community.

Sac State remains a place where immigrant, LGBTQ+, undocumented, and all marginalized students, staff, and faculty members are welcome, celebrated, and supported.

We see you, we value you, and we honor the vital contributions you make – not only to our campus community but also to the greater fabric of this country. Your resilience and commitment enrich our University and help build our strength and shape the diversity that Sac State proudly upholds.

If you seek resources or support during this time, we encourage you to reach out to our campus services, where compassionate staff and faculty are ready to help. Please consider the following resources:

APIDA Center

Dreamer Resource Center

Employee Assistance Program (for staff and faculty)

Esak’timá Center

Jewish Life and Resource Center

MLK Center

Multi-Cultural Center

PRIDE Center

Serna Center

Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services

SWANA Center

Women’s Resource Center

We encourage everyone to reflect on this moment and engage in constructive dialogue. Now is a time to listen to one another, find common ground, and uphold the values of mutual respect, inclusion, and compassion that define Sac State. Thank you for continuing to support one another.

Luke Wood
President

Aniesha Mitchell
Vice President for Student Affairs

Michael Nguyen
Interim Chief Diversity Officer

Announcing the CSU System-Wide Strategic Plan: Your Involvement is Key!

October 30, 2024 - I am excited to share with you an important development that marks a transformational moment for our California State University system. As of September, we have launched our system-wide strategic plan, aimed at positioning the CSU for long-term impact, success, and sustainability. This initiative reflects our commitment to serve America’s new majority—first-generation students, students of color, low-income students, and adults seeking a brighter future.

What’s in Store?

Over the next year, we will engage in a comprehensive, inclusive planning process that will shape our collective future. This strategic plan is not just a document; it’s a roadmap that will guide us through the challenges ahead, ensuring we prioritize our unique campus needs while aligning with our overarching vision.

As Chancellor García stated, “Together, we can reimagine the CSU’s future and chart a bold and innovative path forward.” Your voices are vital in this journey.

Get Involved!

We want you to be an active participant in this process. Here are a few ways you can engage:

Attend a Town Hall: Join us in November and December for discussions on the strategic plan. Your insights are invaluable.

Submit Your Questions and Comments: We value your input! Share your thoughts and questions via this contact form.

Stay Informed: Regular updates will be provided through the strategic plan website, ensuring you have access to resources and engagement opportunities.

This strategic plan is not only a response to our current realities but also an opportunity for us to lead the way in higher education. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for our students and communities.

Thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm as we embark on this important journey.

Make a plan to participate in the general election!

October 29, 2024 - California’s general election is just one week away, and since every vote makes a difference, we hope all eligible voters have a plan in place to vote by Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Sacramento State again will host a Vote Center at Modoc Hall, Willow Suites 1-3. The Vote Center, operated by the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections, replaces traditional Election Day polling places. It will be open Nov. 2-4 and on Election Day. All registered voters in Sacramento County can vote in person or drop off their completed ballots at the Vote Center.

Vote Center schedule:

6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday-Monday, Nov. 3-4
6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day)

Though the deadline to register has passed, you can check your registration status on the Secretary of State’s website. Sacramento County residents can do same-day registration and voting at the Vote Center, but those ballots will not be counted until after the county elections office has verified registration. Sacramento County voters also can pick up replacement ballots, update voter registration information (e.g., change of address), and obtain voting materials in multiple languages at the Vote Center.

Voters can mail in their ballots or use a ballot drop box. A drop box in the front lobby of the Welcome Center is accessible during normal business hours through Election Day. Welcome Center business hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Your voice matters, so make a plan and vote by Election Day, and encourage your friends to do the same. For more information, please visit Sacramento State’s voting website.

Stingers Up!

Dr. Luke Wood
President, Sacramento State

Nataly Andrade-Dominguez
President, Associated Students, Inc.

The Outstanding Staff Awards reception is tomorrow, Oct. 29

October 28, 2024 - I hope you plan to attend the 2024 Outstanding Staff Awards Reception 2-4 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the University Union Ballroom as we celebrate this year’s recipients.

• Gabrielle Hoskins, coordinator, NSM Advising Center
  Outstanding Contribution to Student Success
• Jessica Gollaher, operations coordinator, Population Research Center
  Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity
• Carol Nicknig, marketing and communication specialist, University Communications
  Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Karen Dively, collections manager, Department of Anthropology
  Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy and Sustainability
• Christine Kellerman, administrative analyst/specialist, HHS Dean's Office
  Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement
• Tony Chen, information technology consultant, Athletics
  Behind-the-Scenes Champion
• Michelle Dungca, director of Classification and Compensation, Human Resources
  MPP MVP
• Dr. Boatamo "Ati" Mosupyoe, dean of students, Black Honors College
  Patricia Holmes Outstanding Mentor Award
• Richard Aguirre, services coordinator, Science Education Equity Program, NSM
  Jody Nelsen MVP Award

All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend. ASL interpretation will be provided.

We look forward to celebrating our staff and all that they do to ensure we achieve our mission.

Stingers Up!

Please provide feedback about provost candidates by 5:00 p.m. on 10/25

October 25, 2024 - On Thursday, Oct. 24, the final candidate for the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs visited campus and participated in an open forum and a series of interviews with campus stakeholders.

If you attended any of the open forums, please provide feedback for each candidate using this survey by 5 p.m. today. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Rheena Muñoz. You can view the CV/resume for each candidate by clicking on their name in the message sent Oct. 7.

As the search process nears completion, I want to thank the search committee for working to ensure the process was fair and followed best practices and University policy. I commend their diligence in identifying a group of highly qualified and diverse candidates for the two rounds of interviews.

Thank you to everyone who attended interview sessions and the open forums. I look forward to reviewing your feedback.

RSVP and claim your tickets for 2024 Winter Commencement

October 21, 2024 - We are pleased to announce that eligible graduates can now RSVP to claim up to nine guest tickets for 2024 Winter Commencement, scheduled for Dec. 14 at Golden 1 Center.

You can view the full Commencement schedule here.

All eligible graduates should review the Guest Tickets web page for more information about ticketing, including registration windows and a step-by-step guide to claim tickets.

Eligible graduates have been granted access to register and claim their tickets through their Student Center. The free tickets required for guests to attend Commencement are unique to each ceremony and are only valid for the Commencement ceremony listed on the ticket. Graduates and children under age 3 who will sit on a guardian’s lap during the ceremony do not need a ticket.

Only Fall 2024 and Winter 2024 graduates are eligible to participate in 2024 Winter Commencement. We are unable to accommodate any requests from fall and winter graduates to postpone Commencement participation to spring.

Congratulations to everyone who is preparing to graduate! I look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you and your supporters in just a few short weeks. Remember to use #SacStateGrad on your graduation pictures and social media posts so they can be featured on our social media wall at Commencement.

Stingers Up!

Reminder: final two provost open forums are this week

October 21, 2024 - Today and Thursday, Oct. 24, the last two finalists for the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs will visit campus. All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend the candidate open forums in person or via Zoom.

A link to the open forum Zoom is included below for each session. Click on the name of each candidate to review their resumes/CV. Live captioning will be provided through Zoom. To request additional accommodations, please email Rheena Muñoz at rmunoz@csus.edu.

Monday, Oct. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Carmen Bustos-Works
Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, Cal Poly Humboldt
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Thursday, Oct. 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Michelle Gonzalez Maldanado
Provost, University of Scranton
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Thank you to everyone who has attended previous interviews and the open forum for the three candidates who already visited campus. Their visit details are below.

Wednesday, Oct. 9
Dr. Corey Cook
Executive Vice President and Provost, Saint Mary’s College of California

Thursday, Oct. 10
Dr. Erika Cameron
Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Palo Alto University

Friday, Oct. 11
Dr. Georita Frierson
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Gorham, and Lewistown-Auburn, Maine

Please provide feedback about each candidate by completing the feedback survey no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct 25. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Rheena Muñoz, presidential operations analyst, at rmunoz@csus.edu.

Celebrate Homecoming Week!

October 15, 2024 - It’s Homecoming Week at Sacramento State, a time for alumni, students, faculty, staff and our community to celebrate Sac State and show our Hornet pride. With numerous events on and off campus this week, we hope that everyone will find a way to have fun and become involved. Here are just a few events we want to highlight:

Every day this week at noon you can participate in lunchtime pep rallies, each hosted by a different campus group.

Sac State’s men’s soccer team plays CSUN at 3 p.m. Wednesday on Hornet Field, and the women’s team faces Montana at 2 p.m. Friday. Tickets are available here.

Bay Area rapper P-lo will be live in concert 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the University Union Ballroom. This concert is open to the public with special pricing for Sac State students.

Visit the interactive exhibit “Why We Vote,” 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday in the University Union Exhibit Lounge. The exhibit offers visual representations of why we vote, participate in politics, and engage in our communities. The exhibit runs until Nov. 7.

Our remarkable student Concert Band will perform 7 - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Capistrano Concert Hall. Under the direction of Dr. Matthew Morse, the band will perform Claude T. Smith's "Emperata Overture," selections from "Wicked" by Stephen Schwartz, Robert Jager's "Third Suite," and Rossano Galante's "Mischievous Behavior." Tickets are available here.

We’ll cap off the week Saturday, Oct. 19, with our Homecoming Festival and football game. Come out to enjoy music, performances, games, a Kidz Zone, and the annual golf cart parade beginning at 3 p.m. in Parking Lot 8. At 6 p.m., head into Hornet Stadium to cheer on our Hornets as they take on the Weber State Wildcats.

Faculty and staff may claim four free tickets to the game online. They may receive a free Hornets baseball cap at the University Advancement booth in front of the Alumni Center. Be sure to bring your One Card to get your cap. To claim your tickets, follow the link and steps below:

• Log in with your single sign on, here.
• Click “buy tickets.”
• Select “Sac State Student/Faculty/Staff Tickets.”
• Select “Athletic Events.”
• Select “Football”
• Select “Sac State Football vs. Weber State.”

Please contact hornettickets@csus.edu if you have questions about how to claim your tickets. Full season schedules for football and other fall sports are on the Hornet Athletics web page.

For a full slate of Homecoming Week events, visit the Homecoming web page. We look forward to seeing you around campus and at the big game this weekend.

Stingers Up!

Dr. Luke Wood
President, Sacramento State

Aniesha Mitchell
Vice President for Student Affairs

Today is Indigenous Peoples Day

October 14, 2024 - Today is Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to uplift and celebrate the Native people of this nation and the original stewards – the Nisenan, Puhtwin, Miwok, Wintun, and Maidu – of the land on which Sacramento State stands, as well as our Native American staff, faculty, and students, and all Indigenous people in our state. Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate the positive impact that Native Americans have had and continue to have on American society. It is also an opportunity to recognize the lived experiences of the Native people of the Americas while acknowledging past and present injustices.

At Sacramento State, we are committed to acknowledging that the land our campus is on continues to be the homelands of the Indigenous people of this area and to creating an environment of success for Native students, faculty, staff, and nations. Our draft Land Acknowledgement reflects these values and beliefs.

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, and every day, we ask the Hornet Family to reflect on and celebrate the knowledge, history, and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples.

Please join us for the Outstanding Staff Awards Reception

October 9, 2024 - I'm thrilled to invite you to a special celebration honoring the dedication, innovation, and passion that our staff brings to Our Sacramento State every day. Please mark your calendar and RSVP to join us 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the University Union Ballroom for the 2024 Outstanding Staff Awards Reception as we celebrate these remarkable individuals:

Gabrielle Hoskins, coordinator, NSM Advising Center
Outstanding Contribution to Student Success

Jessica Gollaher, operations coordinator, Population Research Center
Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity

Carol Nicknig, marketing and communication specialist, University Communications
Outstanding Contribution to Justice, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Karen Dively, collections manager, Department of Anthropology
Outstanding Contribution to Philanthropy and Sustainability

Christine Kellerman, administrative analyst/specialist, HHS Dean's Office
Outstanding Contribution to Community Engagement

Tony Chen, information technology consultant, Athletics
Behind-the-Scenes Champion

Michelle Dungca, director of Classification and Compensation, Human Resources
MPP MVP

Dr. Boatamo "Ati" Mosupyoe, dean of students, Black Honors College
Patricia Holmes Outstanding Mentor Award

Richard Aguirre, services coordinator, Science Education Equity Program, NSM
Jody Nelsen MVP Award

ASL interpretation will be provided. For additional accommodations, contact events@csus.edu by Oct. 18.

I again thank the Outstanding Staff Awards Steering Committee, Selection Committee, and everyone who took time to submit a nomination. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable members of the Hornet Family later this month.

Stingers Up!

Claim your four free tickets to the next football game

October 8, 2024 - Hornet football returns from the road for its next game at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, taking on Eastern Washington at Hornet Stadium. We are pleased to offer all University faculty and staff up to four free tickets to the game. To claim your tickets, follow the link and steps below:

• Log in with your single sign on, here.
• Click “buy tickets.”
• Select “Sac State Student/Faculty/Staff Tickets.”
• Select “Athletic Events.”
• Select “Football”
• Select “Sac State vs. Eastern Washington.”
• Claim four free tickets with “Faculty/Staff Day.”

Please contact hornettickets@csus.edu if you have questions about how to claim your tickets.Be sure to save the date for our Homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 19, where the Hornets will take on the Weber State Wildcats. Visit the Homecoming webpage for information about Homecoming week activities and instructions for claiming your four free tickets for the game. The full season schedules for football and other fall sports are available on the Hornet Athletics webpage.

Let’s show our Hornet pride and pack Hornet Stadium to cheer our team to victory together!

Stingers Up!

Details for provost candidate open forums

October 7, 2024 - We are pleased to welcome several finalists to campus to interview for the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. Three of the candidates will be on campus this week, with two additional candidates visiting the week of Oct. 21. There is no candidate open forum tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 8.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend these open forums, either in person or via Zoom. A link to the open forum Zoom is included below for each session. Click on the name of each candidate to review their resumes/CV.

Live captioning will be provided through Zoom. To request additional accommodations, please email Rheena Muñoz at rmunoz@csus.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Corey Cook
Executive Vice President and Provost, Saint Mary’s College of California
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Thursday, Oct. 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Erika Cameron
Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Palo Alto University
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Friday, Oct. 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Georita Frierson
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Gorham, and Lewistown-Auburn, ME
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Monday, Oct. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Carmen Bustos-Works
Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, Cal Poly Humboldt
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Thursday, Oct. 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dr. Michelle Gonzalez Maldanado
Provost, University of Scranton
University Union, Cottonwood Suite
Forum link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Given the impact of the provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, it is important that we get feedback about each candidate from the campus community. Please complete the feedback survey for each candidate no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct 25. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Rheena Muñoz, presidential operations analyst, at rmunoz@csus.edu.

National Voter Education Week information (Updated)

October 7, 2024 - This year’s National Voter Education Week (NVEW), Oct. 7-11, is about empowering voters with the information needed to help them confidently participate in the election process. Sacramento State aims to provide guidance to help citizens find polling locations and make a voting plan, and to encourage people to inspire others to vote. Details can be found on our Civic Engagement Events page about NVEW activities and other campus events leading up to the general election, including:

• Oct. 8 – Civic Engagement Resource Fair, Community Engagement Fair
  Oct. 8 – Voter Connection: Where Voting Meets the Culture, California Legislative Black Staff Association
  Oct. 16 – Initiative Explainer, The Project for an Informed Electorate
  Oct. 23 – A Guide to Election Week: How to Prepare, How It All Works, What to Watch, The Project for an Informed Electorate

California’s general election is Nov. 5, 2024, when we will vote for president, federal and state legislators, and local officeholders, and decide 10 statewide ballot measures. State law requires ballots to be mailed to all California registered voters, and polling places will be open for in-person voting. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 21, 2024, but eligible voters are encouraged to register well before the deadline. You can register to vote and check your registration status on the Secretary of State’s website.

To vote in California, you must be:

• A United States citizen and California resident
• At least 18 years old on Election Day
• Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony (Visit the Secretary of State's website for more details.)
• Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court

Voters can return their ballots by mail or use a ballot drop box. A drop box in the front lobby of the Welcome Center is accessible during normal business hours Oct. 7 through Election Day. Welcome Center business hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Sacramento State again will host a Vote Center at Modoc Hall, Willow Suites 1-3. The Vote Center, operated by the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections, replaces traditional Election Day-only polling places. It will be open for the three days before the election and on Election Day. All registered voters in Sacramento County can vote in person or drop off their completed ballots at the Vote Center.

Vote Center schedule:

• 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2
• 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday-Monday, Nov. 3-4
• 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Election Day)

Sacramento County residents can do same-day registration and voting at the Vote Center. However, those ballots will not be counted until after the county elections office has verified registration, so it’s best to register before Oct. 21. Sacramento County voters also can pick up replacement ballots, update voter registration information (e.g., change of address), and obtain voting materials in multiple languages at the Vote Center.

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

Stingers Up!

Note: This post was updated Oct. 9, 2024, to correct some of the information.

Save the dates for provost candidate open forums

October 3, 2024 - After a highly competitive nationwide search, we are pleased to welcome four finalists to campus to interview for the position of provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. The interviews are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Oct. 8. Please save the dates below and plan to participate in the open forums for each finalist.

All members of the campus community are invited to attend in person or via Zoom. A link to the open forum Zoom is included below for each session. The names and resumes/CVs for each candidate will be provided before the forums. Live captioning will be provided through Zoom. To request additional accommodations please email Rheena Muñoz at rmunoz@csus.edu.

Candidate A: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In-Person: Cottonwood Suite

Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Meeting ID: 895 3979 9229

Candidate B: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In-Person: Cottonwood Suite

Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Meeting ID: 895 3979 9229

Candidate C: Thursday, Oct. 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In-Person: Cottonwood Suite

Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Meeting ID: 895 3979 9229

Candidate D: Friday, Oct. 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

In-Person: Cottonwood Suite

Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/89539799229

Meeting ID: 895 3979 9229

Thank you to the search committee for identifying high-quality candidates for this critical position. We had an impressive pool and an outstanding initial round of interviews.

Updates on athletic facilities

October 2, 2024 - I am pleased to provide updates on new developments related to our plans for new athletics facilities. Tomorrow, we will release conceptual renderings of the stadium design. As I shared in a message last week, the new stadium will be home to football, men's and women's soccer, and rugby, as well as a variety of campus and community events. Sac State has secured funding for the stadium that will not have an impact on the overall budget for the University, as we seek to both protect our core mission of teaching while also creating opportunities to generate revenue for the campus and its programs. These dollars are restricted and cannot be directed to other critical needs such as academic facilities.

Today, a group of local business leaders not directly affiliated with Sacramento State, known as the "Sac-12," shared that the Sacramento Kings have offered to host our men's and women's basketball teams at Golden 1 Center. This offer is pending availability of the venue and will prioritize conference home games. I consulted with a number of Faculty Senate Executive Committee members regarding both of these developments yesterday.

After receiving feedback from that committee, we are forming several temporary advisory groups, one of which will focus on athletic facilities and conferences. The groups will include faculty, staff, and students. Given the fast-moving nature of conversations and decisions surrounding these issues, this advisory group will help ensure we make well-informed choices that align with our University's values and long-term goals.

I will continue to keep the campus community informed of new developments.

Stingers Up!

Announcement about plans to replace Hornet Stadium

September 26, 2024 - This morning, Sacramento State will announce plans to build a new stadium to replace the current facility at Hornet Stadium.

The stadium will accommodate at least 25,000 attendees. It will also feature improved student and visitor seating sections, premium seating and boxes, and improved restroom and concession facilities. Populous, a leading architecture firm, will create the conceptual designs for the facility that will support multiple sports, including football, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s rugby. Renderings will be released in the coming weeks.

The plan to rebuild the stadium was originally conceived by President Nelsen, but we have expanded it to support the needs of multiple sports and to serve as a site for community events, concerts, Convocation, Commencement, and potentially semi-professional and professional tenants. The existing stands, originally intended to be temporary, were built several decades ago and have required significant ongoing maintenance to ensure that the temporary facility could continue to support campus needs.

Last year, I held 92 listening sessions with over 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and alumni to hear about what makes Sacramento State distinctive and what they wanted to see from the University over the next five years and beyond. Several very clear messages emerged from these sessions regarding our student-athletes, but a desire to have better facilities was top of mind for the students. This resulted in strategic plan action item #15, which reads, “Pave the road to transition all Sacramento State NCAA D-I sports to one athletic conference to reduce travel for student-athletes by renovating the UnionWELL basketball gym and replacing temporary football stands with stadium seating by Fall 2028.” Renovation of The WELL basketball gym was announced last year and phase 1 of the renovation is planned for completion in early December.

Sac State has secured funding for the stadium that will not have an impact on the overall budget for the University, as we seek to both protect our core mission of teaching while also creating opportunities to generate revenue for the campus and its programs. There will be many announcements about the stadium in the coming months, including naming partners, co-tenants, entertainment partners, and other sources of funds associated with this capital project.

The stadium has multiple funding sources, including dollars earmarked only for student athletics, donor funds, sponsorships, and planned co-tenants. We will share more on this in the coming months as we publicly unveil our partners. More exciting news to come.

Update on campus processes to comply with NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA

September 20, 2024 - As part of our legal obligations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA, please see addendum) and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA, please see addendum on attached PDF) and our ethical duty to resolve an ongoing harm to Native American nations and communities, Sacramento State is committed to a collaborative, campus-wide process to ensure that we are achieving timely and respectful consultations to repatriate the Native American ancestors and cultural items that we have held in our institution for far too long. We continue to make great progress toward our repatriation goals. Today, I ask for your help in support of this effort.

To ensure that we are fully apprised of all the Native American ancestors and cultural items on our campus, I ask that you report any human remains and potential Native American cultural items held by you, your unit, or department; or if you have encountered any Native American ancestors and cultural items during your work or studies at Sacramento State.

To achieve a more holistic understanding of campus holdings that may be subject to NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA, we are instituting a three-stage campus survey process:

Stage 1: Later this month, an online Qualtrics survey will be sent to all staff, students, administrators, and faculty, allowing you to report any human remains or Native American cultural objects you either hold or have encountered during your work or studies at Sacramento State. All responses will be kept confidential. A process will be set up through the NAGPRA website to allow anonymous reporting of suspected human remains or Native American cultural items.

Stage 2: In early October, a self-assessment survey will be sent to directors, department heads, chairs, administrators, and faculty to guide campus personnel as they perform physical inspections of their department/unit spaces.

Stage 3: On the basis of data secured in Stages 1 and 2, authorized campus personnel will perform a prioritized physical search of all campus spaces during the Fall 2024 semester.

If Native American human remains or cultural items are present in your department, please do not handle or move them. If the human remains, Native American cultural items, and/or Native American collections are improperly stored, such as being exposed to harmful elements or environments, or unsecured, please contact Dr. Mark R. Wheeler at mark.wheeler@csus.edu immediately. Further, federal and state laws prohibit the use of Native American ancestral remains and cultural items in teaching and research without the free and prior consent of descendant communities. Therefore, access to Native American ancestral remains and cultural items must be restricted to the department/unit director until further notice.

I appreciate your time and attention to this request. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Eckhardt, the campus NAGPRA coordinator (sarah.eckhardt@csus.edu) or visit our campus NAGPRA website.

Winter Commencement will be Dec. 14 at Golden 1 Center

September 19, 2024 - I know that many of you have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Winter 2024 Commencement schedule, so it is with great excitement that I announce that the event will be Dec. 14 at Golden 1 Center. I am grateful that we succeeded in securing Golden 1 Center for our Commencement, especially during the busy NBA season.

As a part of this year’s Winter Commencement, we are hosting a Graduation Rewind ceremony for students who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to participate in a traditional Commencement. We wanted to host this very special and long-awaited celebration at Golden 1 Center, as students who graduated in 2020 or Spring 2021 will finally cross the stage and celebrate their momentous accomplishment in front of their loved ones. Winter Commencement will move to our spectacular new Event Center next year.

Sacramento State’s Commencement website has been updated with the detailed schedule and other important information about the Dec. 14 ceremonies. Winter graduates should read the “Graduate Information and FAQ” page for answers to common Commencement-related questions.

Students must register to participate in Commencement. On Monday, Oct. 21, 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 nine tickets to their specific ceremony. A step-by-step guide to claiming tickets soon will be available on the Commencement website. Only Fall 2024 graduates are invited to participate in Winter 2024 Commencement. We are unable to accommodate requests for exceptions.

I look forward to celebrating this significant occasion with the Hornet Family.

Stingers Up!

Nominations for Honorary Doctorates are now being accepted

September 17, 2024 - Sacramento State’s honorary degrees selection committee invites nominations for honorary doctorates to be conferred during 2025 Commencement. The California State University awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit humanity, CSU campuses, the state, the nation, and/or the world. Recipients serve as examples to be recognized and honored for their exemplary contributions. More information about honorary doctorates, including past recipients, can be found on our Honorary Degrees page.

To learn more about the criteria and to submit a nomination, please review the nomination form. The submission deadline is noon on Oct. 18. If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Renee Siden at 916-278-2783 or renee.siden@csus.edu.

Student fees to increase, along with services and support

September 16, 2024 - As you may know, the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) recently provided oversight for an alternative consultation process to consider adjusting existing Category II mandatory student fees. These fees, many of which have not been increased in decades, are directly correlated to enhancing several key student services and programming on campus.

During the alternative consultation process, a series of open forums were held to discuss the proposed fee increases and provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and share their points of view. Information was also shared with students via email, a web page, digital signage across campus, and social media. Following the collection of student feedback, SFAC met to deliberate on the proposed fees, and the committee recently provided me with its recommendations, which were based on the robust feedback from students and analysis provided by the sponsoring divisions.

After careful consideration of student feedback, SFAC recommendations, and the analysis of the fee proposals, today I informed the committee of my final determinations on the four proposed fee increases and the proposed new nonresident fee. In concurrence with the recommendations of the SFAC, I approved the implementation of increases to the Student Health Services fee, the Intercollegiate Athletics fee, the Recreational Sports fee, and the Instructionally Related Activities fee, to be phased in over three years starting in fall 2025.

I am pleased that these fees will support a number of programs and services, such as enhanced staff and operational resources for cultural and identity centers including the APIDA Center, PRIDE Center, Multicultural Center, Dreamer Resource Center, Serna Center, MLK Center, Esak’timá Center, Jewish Life Center, Women’s Resource Center, Improve Your Tomorrow, and the SWANA Center. Read the memo I sent to SFAC today for details about each fee increase.

The new nonresident fee proposal asked for a $500 per semester mandatory fee for international and out-of-state students. Sacramento State currently has no nonresident fee, though there was briefly a similar Category IV fee that was suspended, then eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic Affairs requested this new fee to enhance support programs for nonresidents, events, and scholarships. The scholarships are especially crucial, as international students are not eligible for most financial aid options. Nonresident fees are normal within the California State University system, and the proposed fee was substantially lower than the nonresident fee at other campuses. Unlike California residents, families of nonresident students have not contributed to state taxes that help subsidize the education provided at a state institution.

SFAC recommended not adopting the proposed new nonresident fee, noting a clear lack of student support. Though I disagree with this recommendation, based on feedback from the open forums, town halls, and the vote of SFAC, the University will not implement the proposed nonresident fee.

I did not make the decision to increase these fees lightly. The increased revenues they generate will enable us to provide the services and programming students have demanded. As we shared during the alternative consultation process, most students will have the fees covered by financial aid. The fees include a 3% return-to-aid component which creates a fund that can be redistributed to students having difficulty paying the fees. Finally, I am committed to not bringing forth any new alternative consultation processes that focus on students on our main campus for at least the next three years.

I am grateful to the many students who shared their feedback by attending one of the open forums or by completing a survey. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and deep care that each of you put into sharing your voice during this process. I also would like to thank the members of the SFAC for their diligence and carefully thought-out recommendations.

I look forward to the enhancements to student life at Sacramento State that will include expanded supports, services, and programming, which will foster a vibrant campus environment rich with opportunities for engagement, personal growth, and community building.

APIDA Pop-Up today, and other events coming to Acorn Amphitheatre

September 11, 2024 - As you settle into the rhythms of the fall semester, I am pleased to share some exciting news about a new effort to foster a sense of community through diverse programming that promotes wellness, cultural celebration, and educational engagement. Located between Sacramento Hall and River Front Center, the outdoor, park-like space that is currently called the Main Quad is now a vibrant, central campus hub, dedicated to bringing together individuals from all backgrounds to connect, learn, and thrive in an environment that supports holistic well-being and cultural inclusivity.

The Main Quad is now home to Acorn Amphitheater, which includes a temporary stage (soon to be home to a permanent stage). Programming in Acorn Amphitheatre can occur with the stage but doesn’t have to — the whole park-like area of the Main Quad will be up for grabs. Several events are already scheduled in the Acorn Amphitheatre, including today's APIDA Pop-Up Welcome Back event from 5-6:30 p.m. There are also tai chi and kung fu classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 12-1 p.m., open to all students, faculty, and staff, taught by philosophy professor and my senior advisor Mark Wheeler.

Watch for more information about future events, which will include a Latine Pop-Up, a kickoff celebration for Filipino American Appreciation Month, and yoga and hula classes open to the campus community. Contact the Office for Cultural Transformation at oct@csus.edu for details about upcoming events, to book space, or with any other questions.

Check out the video and story about this year’s Hornet Nest Fest to get a look at some of the early semester action at Acorn Amphitheatre.

I wish everyone a productive, engaging, and fun fall semester, and I look forward to seeing you around campus. In case you missed it, enjoy this 2024 Fall Welcome Message from Student Affairs.

Stingers Up!

Claim your two free tickets to Hornets football home opener

September 9, 2024 - The new football season is underway, and I hope you'll join us for the first home game at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, as the Hornets take on Nicholls State University at Hornet Stadium. To celebrate our home opener, all University faculty and staff can claim up to two free tickets to the game.

To claim your tickets, follow the link and steps below.

• Click on this link.
• Click on “Sac State Student/Faculty/Staff” login.
• Click on “Athletics.”
• Click on “Football.”
• Click on “Sac State Football vs. Nicholls."
• Claim two (2) free tickets with “Faculty/Staff Day.”

Please contact hornettickets@csus.edu if you have questions about how to claim your tickets. The full season schedule for football and other fall sports is available on the Hornet Athletics webpage.I hope to see you at Hornet Stadium this Saturday as we cheer our Hornets to victory!

Stingers Up!

Launch of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics

September 6, 2024 - We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Department of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics (NUFD) in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. The NUFD program was previously housed within the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) department.

The decision to establish NUFD as a separate department while retaining the existing FACS department within the same college reflects a unanimous consensus among faculty and was approved by former President Robert Nelsen on Oct. 13, 2022. The creation of this new department followed a thorough consultation process that engaged current and former FACS students, faculty, staff, advisory committees, and stakeholders. Informed by comprehensive data collection, including student surveys from 2019 and 2022, input from academic leadership, and evaluations of CSU system programs, this restructuring aims to enhance the accessibility of the Nutrition and Food program, as well as its clarity, visibility, and identity. This transition aligns with our commitment to advancing educational excellence and meeting accreditation standards. We are confident that this strategic reorganization will foster a student-centered environment conducive to academic growth and professional development within the fields of nutrition, food, and dietetics.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Seunghee Wie for her service as the inaugural chair of this new department. We look forward to the continued success and impact of our expanded departmental offerings and remain committed to supporting our students' journey toward achieving their academic and career aspirations.

Stingers Up!

Luke Wood, President

Carlos Nevarez, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Please share your feedback about what to include in my Fall Address

August 16, 2024 - As we approach the start of a new academic year, I'm reaching out to remind you about the upcoming Fall Address, scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, in the University Union Ballroom.

We are preparing for an exciting academic year, and I am eager to share information about new programs and initiatives. But we also face ongoing challenges, including all-too-familiar fiscal constraints. To ensure my remarks address what matters most to you, I'd like your input. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey, where you can share the issues or questions you want included in the address. Your feedback will ensure that we focus on the topics that are most important to our faculty and staff.

After my remarks, we’ll hear directly from our students, who will share their experiences and provide insights on how we all can better support them.

To ensure the event is accessible to all, we will provide ASL-to-English interpretation and captioning and will livestream the event here.

I look forward to seeing many of you there as we kick off what promises to be an exciting and productive academic year.

Stingers Up!

Archive of Presidential Communications

• 2024 - Summer
• 2024 - Spring
• 2023 - Fall
• 2023 - Summer