News from the Office of the Provost
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Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,
Now that we are well into the Fall Semester, we are seeing what an exciting and challenging academic year 2022-2023 will be. Our Fall enrollment numbers are in, and while the number of transfer students has declined, the rise in incoming freshman from last year shows Sacramento State continues to be an attractive educational option for many families. With our commitment to innovative practices for student success such as the Critical Class Success Plan (see below for updates) and our summer course credit recovery program that keeps students on track for graduation, we can move ahead confidently knowing that our strategic imperatives are building a vibrant learning community.
Some members of our learning community can be found in unexpected places. In September, I had the honor of touring Folsom State Prison on a visit to our Transforming Outcomes Project (TOPSS) program. As we reported in last month’s newsletter, TOPSS is a new program that allows incarcerated individuals to earn Sacramento State degrees. On the tour, Dean of Undergraduate Studies James German, Academic Affairs Communications Strategist Cherie Ann Parker, and I were led throughout the historic facility and confronted with the grim, constricted reality of life behind the walls. But we found the Sacramento State TOPSS classrooms to be a bright light in an often-dark place, with the students deeply engaged in learning and clearly committed to pushing themselves toward greater intellectual inquiry. Having a college degree drastically reduces recidivism rates, so TOPSS not only helps its students, it improves society at large. Kudos to TOPSS Acting Director David Zuckerman and all the faculty teaching in the TOPSS program for contributing to this life-changing program.
October is LGBTQ+ History Month (not to be confused with Pride Month, which is in June), and there has never been a better time to affirm that intentionally creating a welcoming campus for queer, transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming members of the Sacramento State family is a core value of our strategic imperatives. The Pride Center is holding a number of events this month including marking October 17-21 as Pride Week. Please take some time this month to reflect on how we are supporting our LGBTQ+ faculty, students, and staff and ways we could do better.
Finally, Friday marked the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity for organizations and individuals to honor the Hispanic and Latinx contributions to American history. But as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, one month is not enough—everything we do should be responsive to the many cultural assets our students bring to their learning. If you would like support developing culturally responsive teaching, reach out to the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Sincerely,
Carlos Nevarez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Supporting Students in Crisis
If you have noticed what seems to be a rise in student distress since the full return to campus this fall, it’s not your imagination. College students nationwide are reporting declining mental health and increased interpersonal violence. Faculty and staff may be observing once-engaged students who now seem distant or bothered. Many of us want to help, but don’t know where to start.
Because nothing is more important than student well-being, Sacramento State offers the following guidance for faculty and staff who want to help students in crisis:
Domestic and intimate partner violence - According to Laura Swartzen, Sacramento State’s WEAVE Confidential Advocate, the number of students seeking help for domestic and intimate partner violence has risen alarmingly. Swartzen says it appears many students endured increased interpersonal violence during the pandemic, confirming the presence on our campus of what researchers have named the “shadow pandemic”. Students experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence can be referred to receive confidential support by contacting Swartzen at 916-278-5850 or WEAVE@csus.edu.
Sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment - Sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment are gender-based hate crimes that deny people bodily autonomy and impede their ability to move freely and occupy public and private space. Conversations with students around these issues require extra sensitivity, care, and compassion. It’s important for faculty and staff to communicate that they are ready to listen and help, but also have reporting obligations under Title IX. The Division of Inclusive Excellence has issued guidance on responding to disclosures that can help faculty and staff navigate this tricky balance, ensuring students get the help they need while also protecting equity for the campus at large through appropriate reporting. A full list of Sacramento State and local resources for reporting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, and stalking can be found here.
Mental health challenges - In a recent Forbes/Harris Poll, 60% of college students reported worsening mental health since the pandemic and nearly one in five reported experiencing suicidal thoughts. To address this rising need, this fall Student Health and Counseling Services began offering a workshop for faculty and staff on how to support and assist students experiencing heightened emotional distress. This short training address how to recognize common signs of distress in college students, implementing helping behaviors including active listening, refering to appropriate resources, and identifying examples of self-care they can utilize in daily life. Sign up here or contact Cathy Rojas at c.rojas@csus.edu for more information.
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Update on the Critical Class Success Plan
Last month we introduced you to the Critical Class Success Plan, an Academic Affairs program aimed at improving DFW rates by bringing to scale innovative and creative ideas from faculty. Designed by University Initiatives and Student Success Executive Director James Dragna and Interim Vice Provost for Student Success David Zeigler under the leadership of Provost Nevarez, the Critical Class Success Plan is a student-centered approach that empowers faculty to share proven strategies for success. With the initial stage of the program underway, now is a good time to address common questions and concerns.
What is the core strategy of the Critical Class Success Plan program? Each college will identify ten courses to participate, and the dean will select a Student Success Faculty Fellow to help departments coordinate strategies across all sections of the identified courses. Each college will then receive funding from Academic Affairs to raise support academic programs that enhance student learning and raise course completion rates with an eye toward equity. Departments are encouraged to select courses for the program that have large equity gaps as well as high DFW rates.
What stage is the program in now? Currently, colleges are in the process of selecting faculty fellows and identifying courses to participate in the program. Implementation of new strategies for the identified courses is scheduled for Fall 2023.
Will there be consequences for not reducing DFW rates? The number of students earning non-passing grades is only one measure of academic achievement and this plan is not designed to target faculty, but instead to expand practices that departments know will help support their learning objectives. However, we do expect colleges to reduce DFW rates through this investment and we will be following the program's results.
Is there a website for Critical Class Success Plan? We do not currently have a web page dedicated to the Critical Class Success Plan, but we will be communicating updates as needed.
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Are You Ready to Vote on 2022 Propositions?Sacramento State’s Project for an Informed Electorate has You Covered
This year’s California election ballot contains seven propositions that could dramatically effect living in California. Although this year’s ballot features the fewest propositions in more than a century, the wording of ballot measures can often be confusing—and finding unbiased information in the current political climate is extremely challenging . That’s why the Initiative Explainer Series from Sacramento State’s Project for an Informed Electorate (PIE) is critically important. Hosted by Professor of Political Science and PIE Founder and Director Kim Nalder, the series is supported by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) and the Sacramento Public Library. Each video breaks down one measure’s wording and explores, without bias, the implications should the measure pass. If you would like a deeper understanding of this year’s propositions, these videos are well worth your time.
PIE Initiative Explainer Videos for the November 8 California Election
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Library Makerspace OpensStinger Studio Puts Creativity in Student's Hands
If you are tired of Zoom meetings and need a dose of in-person inspiration, head over to the library and check out Sacramento State’s brand-new makerspace. The Stinger Studio is a shared workspace where everyone is welcome to explore a variety of hands-on endeavors such as machine embroidery and 3D printing. Currently located on the first floor of the library in Room 1522, the Stinger Studio will expand to a much larger space across the hall in the spring.
The makerspace movement grew out of hacker culture, expanding the idea of a communal space to share technology and knowledge to one where students could access a wide variety of “maker” equipment from laser cutters to soldering irons. Makerspaces are intended to be inclusive, welcoming inquisitive minds whether their goals are entrepreneurial, artistic, or just to have fun. In addition to the 3D printers and embroidery machines, our makerspace currently hosts traditional sewing machines, virtual reality headsets with a library of programs, a presentation practice room, electronic kits, and vinyl and laser cutters. Although some of the same equipment may be available at other colleges or departments around campus, the Stinger Studio's equipment is accessible to anyone regardless of their field of study.
The Stinger Studio is coordinated by Preston Tobery, an expert in maker technologies who formerly served as Coordinator for Maker Technologies at the University of Maryland. Tobery is responsible for providing expertise, support, and access to the makerspace as well as partnering with faculty to design and facilitate learning experiences and to look for creative partnerships both in the university and the wider community.
Tobery says makerspaces foster innovation through hands-on experimentation. “Patrons have the opportunity to be creative and learn in ways that make sense to them,” he says, “Makers develop their own ideas, learn their own methods, and come out of the process with a new product that is uniquely theirs.”
The Stinger Studio is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the Stinger Studio staff at lib-stingerstudio@csus.edu for more information.
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Highlights and Announcements
This week is PRIDE Week - Sacramento State’s PRIDE Center celebrates PRIDE Week Oct. 17-21. The week raises the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals’ existence, social and self-acceptance, legal rights, and history. PRIDE Week is open to all members of the Hornet family. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to engage in the week's events and enrich their appreciation and awareness of LGBTQ+ diversity. See the PRIDE Week 2022 website for a full list of events and activities hosted by the PRIDE Center and campus partners.
Fall/Winter Blessing Backpack Drive - Don and Dawn Nahhas lost their adult son in 2016 after a long struggle with alcoholism and homelessness. Their non-profit, Josh’s Hope, honors his memory by helping other people experiencing homelessness. They are currently in need of donations from the Hornet family for their Fall/Winter Blessing Backpack Drive, which distributes backpacks filled with essentials to people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. Cash contributions can be made through Paypal. They are also in need of the following items by October 24:
- New Fleece Blankets
- New Men's Calf Socks
- $10 Gift Cards for Fast Food (McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendys, etc).
Drop offs can be made at Don Nahhas’ office at 212 River Front Center. Donation items are needed by Monday, October 24. Josh’s Heart is also seeking volunteers to help with backpack assembly on October 27 and delivery on October 29. Contact Don Nahhas at (916) 340-5437 or email info@joshsheart.org for more information.
. In August, the BOS named 13 members to the task force, including three Sacramento State faculty members. Roslyn Roberts, Assistant Professor, College of Business, Ghazan Khan, Department Chair, Civil Engineering, and Ajay Singh, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, will provide expert and community advice on the mobilization of public and private resources to implement the county’s climate and sustainability plan.
Fulbright Scholar Reception - The International Programs and Global Engagement office invites Sacramento State faculty to the Fulbright Scholar Reception on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, which will honor Sacramento State being recognized as a Fulbright HSI leader for 2022. The reception will feature a brief introduction to the Fulbright Scholar program by Dr. Jamie Kneitel, who is a current Fulbright Ambassador, and an overview of other Fulbright opportunities at the beginning of the reception, followed by open networking to connect with previous Sacramento State Fulbright Scholars and the International Programs office. All faculty are encouraged to attend. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. Please RSVP via Qualtrics: https://surveys.csus.edu/jfe/form/SV_0ct40Paf9iGOCW2.
Campuswide Call for Applications: The Marie Mason Potts Archival Research Award - The College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies announces the Marie Mason Potts Archival Research Award honoring the legacy of Marie Mason Potts (Mountain Maidu), a California Indian land claims activist and editor of the Smoke Signal newspaper, headquartered in Sacramento. Tenure track scholars at any rank, in any discipline or college, are eligible for the award of up to $1000 that will support expenditures that include but are not limited to: faculty expenses related to research in archival collections, travel to libraries and archival repositories, and fees associated with use of archival materials. Deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday, November 16, 2022. See the call for applications for details.
Global Entrepreneurship Week – November 14-18 marks Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a weeklong celebration that takes place around the world. This year’s GEW themes are Education, Ecosystems, Inclusion, and Policy. Sacramento State’s Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is partnering with Western Health Advantage to bring a full slate of GEW events, activities, competitions, and networking opportunities. View the full calendar here.
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