Dear Student Services and Enrollment Management Team,

June is always an exciting time of year. Commencement is upon us as we celebrate the successes of our students and cheer them on as they take flight to pursue their dreams. It’s also a time for us to welcome our newest Ducks as they touch down on campus to begin their journey at IntroDUCKtion. It’s sure to be a busy, fun, and inspiring summer in SSEM.
 
Commencement
The UO’s 2019 commencement ceremony takes place Monday, June 17, and will be an occasion for all of us to celebrate the 5,276 Ducks receiving their degrees. Come cheer on our graduates at the Duck Grad Parade as they make their way to Matthew Knight Arena along East 13th Avenue at 8:45 a.m. Make sure to get your supervisor’s approval before taking part in any commencement-related activities.
 
IntroDUCKtion
While it’s time to say goodbye to our graduates, it’s also time to say hello to our newest flock of Ducks. Starting Thursday, June 27, new freshmen, transfer students, and their families will attend one of 11 orientation sessions happening on campus through July. On IntroDUCKtion days, I encourage you to please wear green and yellow or your Oregon gear; help people who might look lost; pick up trash you see along the way; and wear your name badge if you have one. We want to be the most welcoming campus that we can be. For a complete list of IntroDUCKtion dates and a condensed schedule, visit introducktion.uoregon.edu.
 
Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff Search
The search for the new assistant vice president and chief of staff is well underway with candidates scheduled to be on campus July 8–12. I am very grateful for the leadership of Julia Pomerenk, Assistant Vice President and University Registrar, as she chairs the search. Thank you also to the following individuals for their time serving on the committee:

I will continue to keep SSEM staff updated via email as the search progresses.
 
SSEM Diversity Resources are Online
SSEM’s Diversity Task Force developed a new section of the SSEM website, helping the division meet several of its diversity action plan objectives. The site gives staff the opportunity to learn more about SSEM’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities and initiatives as well as provide links to university-wide resources and activities. To access this secure site, visit ssem.uoregon.edu and click on the Diversity Resources link at the bottom of the page. Visitors will be asked to log in with their Duck ID and password.
 
Hamilton and Walton Halls Project Update
The Hamilton and Walton residence halls transformation project completed its schematic design phase and has shifted to the design development phase, in which the designs and plans become more detailed. The Board of Trustees approved the authorization to spend up to $8 million on design and planning for the project. Also, the UO Campus Planning Committee unanimously approved the schematic design on Tuesday, which is a significant milestone. 

Underground utility work begins this summer. And, construction mobilization for Phase 1, which includes the prospective student welcome and recruitment center, 600-plus residence hall beds, Academic Residential Community space and learning commons, a faculty-in-residence apartment, and innovative dining, is proposed to begin in early December.

 
As the 2018-19 school year wraps up, I want to say great job to everybody in SSEM for the wonderful work you’ve done this year. I hope all of you have a chance to take time off this summer to relax and recharge before we jump into another busy, yet rewarding, school year

Sincerely,

Roger J. Thompson
Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management

P.S. Follow me on Twitter to see more about events in SSEM and on campus. @UOVP_Dr_T