Last week, in accordance with California State public health guidelines, Sacramento State began inviting students to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. As part of a communication campaign to encourage students to get vaccinated, Vice President, Ed Mills recorded the following message, providing important information and details on this next step towards reopening the campus.
Each week, our student body will be receiving email invitations, sent to their Sac State email address, with information and links to schedule appointments for vaccinations. We encourage all staff to communicate with students the importance of this next phase and to take advantage of this opportunity.
| |
Click to submit a question or comment for next month's Ed Talk.
| |
Important Information About COVID-19 Testing
Sacramento State will be offering on-going COVID-19 testing to members of the campus community.
Every week, members of our campus population will be selected to participate in COVID-19 testing. When you are selected, you will receive an email with details on making an appointment to receive your COVID-19 test.
Testing will be done by appointment only and opportunities are available for a limited time, as a new group is selected each week. We encourage you to take advantage of this no-cost COVID-19 testing.
Getting tested can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to your family, friends, and coworkers.
A copy of the email you will be receiving is to the right and available to read in the link below.
| |
If you have additional questions regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Sacramento State, you can ask Joy Stewart James, Associate Vice President for Student Health and Counseling Services.
| |
Out of the Darkness Celebrates 10 Years
Last week, Sacramento State celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Out of the Darkness Experience. In previous years, students, staff, and faculty participated in a campus walk to raise awareness around mental health issues such as depression and suicide. This year, 612 participants were able to show their support by walking from home, participating in the Share Your Light social media campaign, and by donating to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Student Health and Counseling Services exceeded their fundraising goal of $20,000 before the virtual walk took place on April 15th and are continuing to take donations until June 30th.
| |
“This year’s event was also designed, launched, and developed by students. The committee consisted of students wanting to share the importance of the message of suicide prevention and reducing mental health stigmas. Their passion shines through with each moment of the event and efforts leading up to the event. I can’t thank them enough for all their creativity and support to this event,” said Student Health & Counseling Health Educator, Lara Falkenstein.
In case you missed it, President Robert S. Nelsen and Jody Nelsen shared their story in honor of Out of the Darkness, with a touching and heartfelt video that you can watch above.
Along with President Nelsen, Megan Gross, a second-year Computer Science student shared her personal story with depression and suicidal ideation. Many participants on social media have since thanked Megan for sharing her powerful story of hope and resilience. You can watch Megan’s video here.
| |
To support the Out of the Darkness experience, Student Affairs Marketing & Communications launched Share Your Light in partnership with Student Health & Counseling Services. Share Your Light served as a way for students, staff, and faculty to share what brings light to their life in times of darkness.
A recap of the Share Your Light campaign can be found here.
| |
Help Redefine Student Support this Friday, Give Sac State Day
Give Sac State Day is a 36-hour digital fundraising blitz where every action makes a positive impact on our Hornet community and beyond. You have seen firsthand how what we do here at Sacramento State has significance everywhere. You can deepen your impact on Sac State and our community by supporting student success and the causes you value most. Showing that you’re #allinforSacState is easy and a lot of fun!
Step 1: Discover the cause(s) you want to support.
Step 2: If you are able, make a gift to advance your cause(s).
Step 3: Join us online for games and contests to help us spread the word.
** Challenge Alert! **
If 75 or more faculty or staff make a gift on Give Sac State Day, $1,000 will be unlocked to support the Seth Nelsen Emergency Grant Fund. Explore the possibilities at the
Give Sac State Day website or email annualfund@csus.edu for more information.
| |
Staff Talent Appreciation & Retention (STAR)
The Division of Student Affairs would like to congratulate Patsy Jimenez, Program Coordinator with Multi-Cultural Center, (right) for being February's STAR of the Month.
The Staff Talent Appreciation & Retention (STAR) Awards Program acknowledges the exemplary performance and contributions of staff members within the Division of Student Affairs. The program provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary performance of staff throughout the division.
The Shining STAR of the Month Award is presented monthly to an individual in the division whose actions or work performance stands out as an exceptional reflection of our divisional values:
• Integrity • Wellness • Innovation • Inclusivity • Collaboration • Service •
If you would like to nominate your peers, colleagues, and staff to recognize their amazing work, please click the link below.
| |
Sexual Assault Awareness
Month is in Full Swing!
Sacramento State has been working diligently to create a campus culture of safety and inclusion. In keeping this commitment, Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) and WEAVE have partnered to co-host a lineup of events and activities to celebrate Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year's theme is Liberating Survivors. During April, many Sacramento State departments and centers will come together to educate, offer resources, workshops, self-care opportunities, movie showings, and more. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is here to stand in solidarity with survivors and promote a shift in culture that acknowledges them, believes them, and supports them.
Check out the list of events in the attached flyer, or at the Student Health and Counseling Services website at the bottom of this story and clicking on "Sexual Assault Awareness Month," located under the spotlight tab.
| |
How students and staff can participate:
Student Speakers for Take Back the Night
We are looking for students interested in sharing their narrative of survivorship or support for Take Back the Night on April 30th between 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We are also accepting 3-5 minute segments where students will share their impact through words, poems, songs, or art. Our deadline to find at least 2 students is April 23rd at 5:00 p.m. Please participate in this amazing event! Please reach out to Laura at weave@csus.edu if a student would like to participate.
Denim Day
It’s almost Denim Day! Take a picture of yourself wearing jeans or any type of denim with a short message of encouragement to survivors with the hashtag #SAAM21. All pictures will be shared on the Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) Instagram on Denim Day, April 28th. If you are interested in participating, post your picture on April 28th, tagging Student Health and Counseling Services (@shcssacstate). All submissions will be reposted and students reposting will be entered in a drawing to win a prize. If students or departments are not interested in posting on their personal account, a photo may be sent to astin.williams@gmail.com by April 26th at 5:00 pm and we will post it on our SHCS Instagram account. Anyone can participate!
Take Back the Night (TBTN)
Join us for a night turned into a weekend of sexual assault awareness. This year, Sacramento State will be hosting Take Back The Night on Friday, April 30, 2021, virtually to align with COVID-19 precautions. This event will be filled with student speakers, a message from President Nelsen, and a keynote speaker, Brittany Piper who will share her testimony, self-care tools, and workshop booklets for students who attend. We will also have options for students to access a self-care room or enjoy previously recorded events from the month of April. In previous years, a large community march would take place to wrap up this event. This year, students are encouraged to Take Back The Weekend by enjoying a walk any time all weekend long! Document your walk and share it with @shcssacstate and get the chance to win a prize!
Get more information about TBTN and the link to join us at the Student Health and Counseling Services webpage.
| |
|
All-People’s Recognition Ceremony is May 7!
Join the Multi-Cultural Center on Friday, May 7, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual All People’s Recognition Ceremony! This year, the ceremony is going virtual but will continue to recognize individuals who create positive change by advancing social justice on campus and in the community. This special event also acknowledges individuals whose work often goes unrecognized, but who play a critical role in making Sac State a more inclusive and equitable institution. Registration is required to attend and can be completed through the Meeting Registration form below.
| |
Staff Highlight: Noel Mora
Noel Mora, Program Coordinator of the Serna Center is #madeatsacstate. The center promotes, fosters, and enhances leadership, empowerment, self-advocacy, and civic engagement among Chicanx/Latinx students and students from other underserved backgrounds. In his position as coordinator, Mora aims to inspire young leaders to take action in the things that matter most to them, both on campus and in the community.
Mora has been the coordinator for over a year and has accomplished operating successfully through a virtual setting and getting hundreds of people to participate in the 2020 census. "I am also proud of the Serna Center team's ability to be innovative with virtual engagement strategies," Mora said.
The Serna team remains resilient despite the odds. The Serna Center's primary goals are to continue providing high-quality programming for students and the campus community and find innovative ways to connect students to civic opportunities. According to Mora, the center is also in the process of offering more direct services to students, such as academic, financial, and career guidance.
The Serna Center cultivates programming and resources that reflect the experiences of Chicanx/Latinx students and other underserved communities. Two recent initiatives/events illustrate the center’s commitment to celebrating culture.
National Farmworker Awareness Initiative
The Serna Center collaborated with the College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP) at Sac State to celebrate the National Farmworker Awareness Initiative through a series of virtual events that were held in March and early April. These events highlighted the strength and perseverance of farm working communities in California. Through the events, members of the Hornet family learned more about the farmworkers movement and current efforts to protect farm-working communities.
Special Film Preview, Panel, and Q&A: A Song for Cesar: The Movement and the Music
On Thursday, April 1, the Serna Center, in collaboration with the College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP), Associated Students Inc. (ASI), and the One World Initiative hosted a preview screening of the documentary film, A Song for Cesar. The film infuses Chicano music and art to portray the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement. After the screening, an expert panel discussed the film and ongoing efforts to protect farmworker rights. There was also a live Q&A with the film’s producers.
| |
For more information and updates from Strategic Student Support Programs, download their newsletter below.
| |
Center for First-Generation Student Initiatives; First-Gen Connect
First-gen Connect weekly peer-to-peer sessions maximize the college experience and increase a sense of belonging and social connectedness for students who identify as first-generation college students.
We conclude this month with the First-Generation Student Achievement Award that honors students who have pursued and met ambitious educational goals and demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. A total of 25 students will be presented with a custom first-gen stole during a virtual presentation on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 3 PM. Each of the seven academic colleges nominated two students and various equity programs in the division provided nominations for these awards.
To ensure that we continue to amplify and increase visibility of the first-generation faculty and staff community for our students, the Center for First-Generation Student Initiatives, and the Campus Educational Equity Committee is leading the effort to compile a list of first-generation faculty and staff. This voluntary list is updated monthly. First-generation faculty and staff are invited to join our directory through the Directory Submission form.
| |
New Program to Help Biracial and Multiracial Students
The Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs Unit is working to make continued progress to address the ongoing success needs of diverse students. The unit has launched a new program entitled the Biracial and Multiracial Institute of Achievement (BMIA) to help students who are biracial and multiracial to succeed at Sacramento State. This program, which launched in March, is designed to position students of multiple races for success. Students in the program receive customized support as well as access to resources and information to assist them in achieving belonging and to foster their personal and professional goals. Program leaders called ‘equity apprentices’ help students in the program with peer-to-peer information and work in conjunction with other equity programs to achieve success.
For more information and/or if you wish to assist with the program contact Dr. Marcellene Watson-Derbigny, Associate Vice President for Student Retention and Academic Success, at watsonml@skymail.csus.edu, or visit the BMIA website.
| |
For more information and updates from Student Academic Success & Educational Equity Programs, download their newsletter below.
| |
Don’t delay the inevitable. On July 31, 2021, Skype for business will cease to exist. It’s time to transition to Teams. Aside from the chat, call, and screen share features that Skype for Business provided, Microsoft Teams also allows you to share and edit files in real-time, create, assign, track, and complete tasks related to a project, and so much more.
Online Resources
Don’t wait until Skype for Business retires, learn all there is to know about Microsoft Teams now:
| |
Comments, Questions, Concerns?
Don’t hesitate and reach out via any of the following ways:
- Email: sa-it@csus.edu
- Phone: (916) 278-2745
- Microsoft Teams, Skype4Business, or Zoom chat: sa-it | stdaf-01
| |
To Submit a Story to The Buzz, Click Below!
| |
|
|