In this month's Ed Talk, Vice President Ed Mills replies to a question submitted by an anonymous reader.
Question: Hi Ed,
I've often wondered this - but was reminded of this question during the Convocation, during the opening panel, and the discussion of resources on campus. What's the difference between the Strategic Student Support Programs and the Student Retention and Academic Success programs, including the Equity Programs? They both feel like they are designed to help students, but one set of programs seems very visible to the campus (Strategic Student Support Programs), while the others are less visible and more ambiguous. When thinking about campus resources, visibility is actually a resource.
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for your question. Student Affairs is a large and complex division with 60 departments and programs and about 450 faculty, staff, and managers. As the division grows and changes, the Vice President (VP) continually thinks about how to organize the oversight of groups of departments and programs among the division leadership (our AVPs and Executive Directors). The VP’s goal is twofold: 1) to spread out the administrative responsibilities – to make it more manageable for our administrators, and 2) to build synergy among departments and programs to help facilitate the university’s goals and objectives.
During my time as VP, I’ve made several adjustments to our organizational structure to facilitate synergy among departments and programs in alignment with our institutional goals, and to respond to our ever-changing environment (e.g. when managers leave, when budgets change, when we need more operational efficiency, when there are new regulatory requirements or compliance needs, etc.). Recently, I made a few more organizational adjustments that I covered in our division meeting on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.
When I created Strategic Student Support Programs (SSSP), my goal was to connect our Career Center with several of our equity and affinity programs. You may have noticed that we also incorporated this strategy into our most recent DHSI grant and our Career Everywhere initiative. I recognize that the Career Center works with all our departments and programs as well as departments and programs throughout the university. My goal was not to change any existing relationships but to create a deeper connection with career services and our university goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I’m not surprised that the programs in SSSP have more recognition at the university right now. Several of the programs are newer and as such have received more news coverage internally and externally. The programs in Student Academic Success and Educational Equity Programs (SASEEP) tend to be more established. Thus, they may not get as much news coverage. I’m guessing most faculty and staff are very aware of departments/programs like EOP, Guardian Scholars, Parents & Families, and the MLK, Jr. Center. I’ve noticed that there seems to be less knowledge of the DEGREEs Program, our Young Men of Color Initiative, U-Mentor, and IYTU (to name just a few). We are also adding/expanding new departments like our Native Center and our APIDA Center. Thus, I do think we need to do more to emphasize the amazing work that our staff and student employees are doing in these programs.
I hope that this response is helpful and provides some insight into the changes you see VPs make in our organizational structure from time to time. Thank you for asking the question. I’ll work with the division leadership to broaden our coverage of the different departments, programs, and the students they serve.
Sincerely,
-Ed
If you want to learn more about the departments and programs in SASEEP, their website provides a great overview.
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Click to submit a question or comment for next month's Ed Talk.
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Out of the Darkness Campus Walk Returns to Sac State April 14th
Mental health awareness and suicide prevention on college campuses are more important now than ever. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college-age students and young adults. Join Student Health & Counseling Services, in coordinating with Active Minds Sacramento State Chapter and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, for Sac State’s 11th Annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for Suicide Prevention, on Thursday, April 14th at the front of the WELL.
The event will host a Mental Health Resource Fair at 4 pm and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 5:30 pm. The walk will take place through the campus shortly after the opening ceremony and end around 7 pm. Parking is included for the event starting at 3 pm at Parking Structure III (top floor only).
By registering, participants are showing support for survivors, students and others at risk, as well as those who have been affected by suicide. As mental health is an important factor in student success, we would love to see you all supporting the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk. Participants can register at afsp.org/csus. Anyone can join the team – friends, family, peers, neighbors, etc. – to join in on spreading awareness of the importance of suicide prevention and mental health.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Sacramento State Indoor Mask Mandate Updates
In accordance with the federal, state, and local guidelines, President Nelsen has announced the indoor mask mandate for most places on Sacramento State’s campus, and the downtown facility will expire after March 18. In accordance with health care official guidelines, face coverings will remain mandatory on campus while riding campus public transportation, such as the Hornet Shuttle, and in health care facilities, including Student Health & Counseling Services.
Masks and vaccines, including booster vaccines, are still the most effective way to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and flu virus. It is encouraged to continue to mask for all who are immunocompromised, have COVID-19 or cold/flu-like symptoms, not feeling well, traveling or plan to travel, attending indoor events or large outdoor events, or are in high-transmission areas.
We know as the masking mandates lift, this can be a big change for many of us. When you are making this choice, here are some things to think about:
- Is this indoor space crowded?
- Am I in close contact with other people?
- Do I live with people who are at higher risk from COVID-19?
- Is it cold and flu season?
- Does this space have poor ventilation?
- Are the COVID-19 levels in my local community high?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, wearing a mask can help minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19, as well as the common cold and flu.
We are all in this together and encourage you all to still mask where you feel comfortable, including on-campus where required; and remember to respect each other and the Hornet Honor Code. Employees and students can access free N95 masks at several campus locations, such as the library checkout counter and the University Union information desk.
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Please Note: Image of tests is only representative.
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| Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available to Order
Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of four free at-home COVID-19 Self-Test Updates from the federal government. If you have already ordered a set for your household, a second set is now available to order at covidtests.gov. Additionally, you may also receive reimbursement for over-the-counter FDA-approved COVID-19 self-tests from your health insurance provider. Please check with your health insurance provider for the process to complete a request for reimbursement.
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If you have 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.
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The Division of Student Affairs is excited to congratulate Andrea Roush, Admissions, Recruitment, and Campus Community Module Lead for being January's STAR of the Month.
The Shining STAR of the Month Award is presented to an individual 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.
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Update Your Bookmarks!
Student Affairs Marketing and Communications would like to announce that we are currently in the process of updating our website and service request forms. We kindly ask that if you have a link saved to your computer, that you please take a moment to update your bookmarks. As of March 1, 2022, saved links may no longer be active.
A link to the Student Affairs Marketing and Communications webpage is below where you can find more information on marketing and communications resources available, including photo galleries of campus life, the Student Affairs YouTube channel, the Marketing and Communications Guidebook, and request forms for marketing and communications support.
We kindly ask that when requesting marketing and communications support, please fill out a service form on our website. We want to be able to serve all of our partners to the best of our ability, so we ask that you do not send your requests for support to our sa-communications email, as we may miss your message in our inbox.
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Young Males of Color Consortium Conference Coming To Sac State
Sacramento State will host the Young Males of Color Consortium Conference on April 6th through 7th, 2022 at Sacramento State. The event will be hosted from
8 am - 5 pm daily. The theme is "Beyond the Rhetoric: Eradicating Opportunity and Equity Gaps for Males of Color." The two-day event will bring together faculty, staff, and students from throughout the CSU to explore avenues and approaches to increasing student success in support of the Graduation Initiative 2025. For more information about the conference and to register for this free professional development and dynamic learning opportunity, please visit the event website.
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Guardian Scholars, Helping Former and Current Foster Youth and Unaccompanied/Homeless Youth Achieve their Dreams
The Guardian Scholars Program (GSP) is a support program for students who are current and former foster youth and unaccompanied/homeless youth. We support students who were adopted, orphaned, emancipated, and wards of the court. GSP offers a wide variety of services such as academic advising, career advising, professional mentoring, priority registration, emergency funding, internship opportunities, community building, and most importantly, a sense of belonging.
According to the National Foster Youth Institute, an average of 3% of foster youth graduate from a 4-year college. Research states that foster youth wish to earn degrees, but only 10% attend college. The GSP is here to support and increase the graduation rates. As of today, we currently have 97 students enrolled. Out of the 97, 16 students are scheduled to graduate in May 2022! Over the past 16 years, the program’s graduation rates have increased every academic year. The number of students wanting to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree has also increased in our program. Several of our graduates have pursued their post-baccalaureate degrees not only at Sacramento State but at other universities in and out of state. Our program will continue to support students who want to pursue their dreams and goals by furthering their education.
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Successful Asian Pacific Islander Desi American College Day saw over 1,200 registration submissions!
Another virtual APIDA College Day was held on March 4, 2022, with speakers from all levels of government including Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to President Biden, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison.
The 5th annual APIDA College Day is scheduled to be in person in March 2023!
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Honoring National Farmworker Awareness Week
National Farmworker Awareness Week highlights the contributions of civil rights leaders of the farm labor movement and raises awareness of current farmworker conditions. In honor of this important week, the Serna Center, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), and other campus partners will host a week of events and programming that is open to all members of the campus community. See below for a list of events.
- Book Drive (March 14 - April 1): Donate children’s books for families of farmworkers at one of the following locations: Serna Center/CAMP/Dreamer Resource Center (Riverfront Center 1), Women’s Resource Center (University Union 2nd Floor, Room 2250), Pride Center (University Union 1st Floor, Room 1016), Multicultural Center (Library Breezeway, Room 1010), Full Circle Project (Library Breezeway, Room 1000).
- Record a Farmworker Story (March 17 - March 24): Visit KSSU Student Radio (University Union) to submit a farmworker story to the Library of Congress.
- A Conversation with Andres Chavez (March 29, 3 - 4:15 pm; Ballroom, University Union): Civic leader, Andres Chavez, will engage in conversation with attendees about community building, creating positive social change, leadership, and advocacy. Andres is the grandson of farmworkers’ rights leader Cesar Chavez.
- Film Screening: Dolores (March 30, 3 - 5 pm; Hinde Auditorium, University Union): The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) will host a special screening of the film Dolores, focusing on the life of civic and labor leader, Dolores Huerta. Space is limited! Register Now.
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A Conversation with Andres Chavez (Grandson of Cesar Chavez)
Join the Serna Center and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) for a conversation with Andres Chavez (grandson of civil and labor rights leader Cesar Chavez) from 3 to 4:15 pm on Tuesday, March 29, at the University Union Ballroom. This event commemorates National Farmworker Awareness Week and will feature Chavez speaking about the importance of student involvement in advocacy and leadership efforts on-campus and in their communities. Attendees will also learn about strategies to become agents of change. The event includes ample time for Q&A.
Please share the event with students and campus community members!
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Celebrate Women’s Herstory Month on social media!
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is celebrating Women’s Herstory Month through a social media campaign that honors the contributions of women, past and present. During the month of March, the center will highlight women trailblazers who have paved the way for creating change for all. Follow the center on Instagram or Facebook to engage in the campaign.
To learn more about the WRC and services offered, contact Program Coordinator Aisha Engle, aishaengle@csus.edu.
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Crafts and Snacks for Self-Care with the Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) cultivates a safe space where women-identifying students can be empowered and affirmed. To promote self-care and positive self-image, the center hosted Crafts and Snacks for Self-Care on Tuesday, March 15, from noon to 1:30 pm. Attendees created a decorated jar with empowering self-crafted messages.
Faculty and staff were encouraged to promote this event with students.
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Missed the weekly workstation updates? The Software Center is here to save the day!
We are not always at a good stopping point to run workstation updates. If you have ever had a deadline coming up or were you in the middle of a meeting and not able to restart your computer, good news! You don’t have to wait to get your device up to date.
You can check for updates on your computer at any time from the Software Center. This is your one-stop-shop for:
- Licensed applications available to staff
- Windows updates
- Application updates
- Security updates
By using the Software Center we can all actively ensure our workstations are up to date and secure. This helps keep our students’ information safe and ensures all your applications are ready to go when you need them.
We are here to support you with all your IT needs and issues. Please keep us informed and do not hesitate to reach out if you know something is wrong or broken.
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