April 21, 2025

In 2023, Climate HQ — SF State’s hub for all things climate change — wanted to help better centralize Earth Week events into a campus-wide celebration that was inclusive for all students from all majors, colleges and walks of life. Since that first event, SFSU’s Earth Week has become one of the University’s beloved annual traditions. Earth Week 2025 will be April 21 – April 24, and the event lineup includes returning favorites and some new events.

“I think our Earth Week has always been a celebration instead of doom and gloom. I think that’s even more important right now,” said Alcides Fuentes, Climate HQ’s program and communication specialist.

Throughout the year, Climate HQ organizes fellowships, internships, events and more to support students, faculty and staff engagement in climate change and climate justice activities. Most recently, Climate HQ helped lead efforts to incorporate climate justice into SFSU’s graduation requirements.

One of the popular Earth Week events is the climate and environmental justice job mixer, where students can meet representatives from a variety of organizations offering jobs, internships and advice for those interested in tackling climate issues in different job sectors. This year, there will be over 15 organizations, including prominent groups like Literacy for Environmental Justice, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity and more.

“It is for the students, but it’s also [created] by the students as well,” Fuentes said, noting that each year the events are refined according to student feedback and interest. Associated Students’ Environmental Resource Center (ERC) is one of Climate HQ’s major collaborators for Earth Week festivities. This year, between Climate HQ and ERC there are five interns dedicated to Earth Week. Each of these students tapped into their own student networks to help tailor festivities for the SFSU community.

Follow Climate HQ for more Earth Week 2025 updates and climate-related activities year-round.

Photo by Juan Montes 

It’s almost here. SF State’s 124th Commencement ceremony at Oracle Park is Friday, May 23. All ambassadors at the event will receive an SF State beanie. Your support will help make this a special event for graduating students, their friends and family members.

As an ambassador, you will play a vital role 1:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., ensuring the smooth execution of the ceremony and contributing to the atmosphere of pride and joy. Your involvement will help create lasting memories for graduates and their families.

As in years past, all ambassadors are asked to receive approval from their supervisor and attend an informational training via Zoom in late May for their assignment.

Many assignments involve large amounts of walking and standing. To request accommodations, please note them on the sign-up form under “Questions or requests.”

For questions, please email Dania Russell at drussell@sfsu.edu. 

SF State’s 124th Commencement Ceremony is just around the corner, on Friday, May 23, at Oracle Park. The University invites faculty members to sign up as a faculty marshal and play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth procession and organization of this momentous event. Your participation is vital to the success of the ceremony. Assignments will be 1:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.   

As in years past, all faculty marshals are asked to attend an informational training in late May via Zoom for their assignment.

Please sign up today via the Alumni Association website and contribute to a memorable celebration of our graduates’ achievements.

Many assignments involve large amounts of walking and standing. To request accommodations, please note them on the sign-up form under “Questions or requests.”

For questions or more information, please email Ken Maeshiro at kmaeshir@sfsu.edu.

The Academic Senate will hold a plenary meeting on Tuesday, April 22, at 2 p.m., via Zoom.

Agenda:  

• Open-floor period 
• Call to order 
• Approval of agenda  
• Approval of minutes from previous plenary 
• Senator announcements 
• Reports 
  • Senate chair’s report 
  • University president’s report 
  • University provost’s report 
  • Associated Students president’s repot 
  • Standing committee reports 
    • Academic Policies Committee 
    • Campus Curriculum Committee 
    • Faculty Affairs Committee 
    • Strategic Issues Committee 
    • Student Affairs Committee 
• On the Table in Second Reading 
  • Strategic Issues Committee 
    • All University Committee on International Programs, #S20-151 
  • Academic Policies Committee 
    • University Policy on Written English Proficiency, #S19-014 
• Second Reading 
  • Academic Policies Committee 
    • Policy on Restructuring Academic Units, #S21-290 
  • Educational Policies Council 
    • Suspension: M.A. in Women and Gender Studies 
    • Suspension: M.A. in Anthropology 
    • Suspension: B.A. in Chinese: concentration in Flagship Chinese Language 
• New business 
  • Strategic Issues Committee 
    • Academic Freedom Policy, #F13-267 
  • Student Affairs Committee 
    • Resolution Calling for a Report on the Instruction of Reading and Writing 
    • Resolution in Support of Student Parent Success at San Francisco State University 
  • Academic Policies Committee 
    • Policy on Requirements for Graduate Students, #S21-295 
    • Course Syllabus Policy, #S24-257 
  • Faculty Affairs Committee 
    • Resolution Supporting Equitable Service for Lecturer Faculty  
    • Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Policy, #S24-241

Join Climate HQ, the Associated Students Environmental Resource Center (ERC) and the Reclaiming Nature: Hood to Woods program for Earth Week events Monday, April 21 – Thursday, April 24. 

Event schedule: 

• Monday, April 21 
  • ERC Student Flea Market: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Malcom X Plaza 
• Tuesday, April 22  
  • Climate and Environmental Justice Jobs Mixer: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jack Adams Hall, Cesar Chavez Student Center 
  • Outdoors appreciation event: 12:45 p.m., Quad 
• Wednesday, April 23 
  • “Meditation for Global Peace and Healing Earth Mother”: 11:15 a.m. – noon, SFSU lawn 
  • “Hoods to Woods: Call to Action, BIPOC Students Healing in Nature”: 12:30 – 2:15 p.m., Jack Adams Hall, Cesar Chavez Student Center 
  • Networking with outdoors organizations: 2:15-3:30 p.m., Jack Adams Hall 
  • Earth Week Film Festival, Day 1 “Bazandja”: 4 – 7 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts building 
• Thursday, April 24 
  • “Don’t Waste, Create: An Upcycling Craft Fair”: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Malcom X Plaza 
  • “Donut Litter!” Campus cleanup event: 2 – 3:30 p.m., Mashouf Wellness Center 
  • Earth Week Film Festival, Day 2 “Powerlands”: 4 – 7 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts building 

The Transfer Peer Mentor Program will hold two transfer student self-care activities 

on Monday, April 21, in Library 286. Join for relaxation and community with transfer students.

Transfer Crafting Workshop, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Creative projects and crafting activities with all art supplies, snacks, drinks and good vibes provided.

Self-Care for Resilience Workshop, 2 – 3 p.m.: Health, Promotion and Wellness presents strategies for positive mental health, stress management, and healthy sleep habits. Engage with various self-care techniques and develop personal stress management goals. All participants receive wellness freebies to continue self-care practices at home. 

Please RSVP via Google Forms. Drop-ins are welcome at both events, but RSVPs are greatly appreciated. 

A new workshop series covers the basics of using the artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT Edu on Tuesday, April 22, 11 a.m. – noon, and Friday, April 25, 11a.m – noon. It will include overviews of the interface and fundamentals for usage. Designed as a technological primer, this series is intended for those who are curious about AI but have never used it.

Please register via the AI website.

The “AI Literacy Essentials: Critical Analysis of Generative AI” course explores the critical analysis of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to support responsible use of this technology. It will be held Wednesday, April 23, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Learn how AI models are trained and why misinformation and biases may occur in AI-generated content. Develop strategies to analyze AI outputs and assess AI tools for quality and ethical considerations. Participants will be expected to engage in the evaluation process through collaborative, hands-on activities and reflective discussions. 

This course is required to receive a digital badge for the AI Literacy Education Program.

Please register via the AI website for the “Critical Analysis of Generative AI” course.

Are you stressed and exhausted? Do you experience neck and shoulder pain? Does your mind never stop? Attend the Holistic Health workshop series to learn skills to enhance health. This series will be held on Wednesdays, April 23, April 30 and May 7, noon – 1 p.m., in HSS 306. 

The activities are open to the University community and sponsored by the Institute for Holistic Health Studies and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

The Academic Senate hosts the second annual “Question of Interest” session on Wednesday, April 23, 1 – 2:30 p.m., in Library 121. Attend to discuss ways of breaking through barriers to increase cross-unit and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Assistant Professor Andrew Hongo’s award-winning documentary, “A Better Way,” will screen on Wednesday, April 23, 4 – 6 p.m., in Marcus Hall 224. Admission is free for the event, which includes the 45-minute film, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Project Rebound.

“A Better Way” chronicles San Francisco becoming the first U.S. city to vote to close down its juvenile hall. The film profiles an investigative reporter whose story shocks the city, a pair of big-dreaming city supervisors committed to change and a group of individuals from the Young Women’s Freedom Center who’ve survived life in juvenile hall themselves — and come out on the other side committed to finding an alternative to help other young people like themselves. The film received the 2025 Award of Excellence from the Broadcast Education Association.

Please join the International Relations Department for “Korean Dream: Pathway to Peace and Freedom,” a panel discussion on North Korean human rights, security and the vision for unification. It will be held Wednesday April 23, 4 – 5:30 p.m., in Library 286.

Speakers include Hyunseung Lee, a Washington, D.C., human rights advocate who defected from North Korea in 2014, and Col. (Ret) David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and senior fellow at the Global Peace Foundation.

Please register via Eventbrite.

For questions, please email See-Won Byun at sbyun@sfsu.edu. 

The “Collaboration with Zoom AI Companion” course introduces participants to the Zoom AI Companion and its practical applications in a university setting. It will be held Thursday, April 24, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

The course covers key features such as meeting summaries, real-time Q&A, interactive smart recordings and whiteboard tools for generating sticky notes, tables, mind maps and flowcharts. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to apply these tools to enhance productivity, collaboration and learning in academic and administrative contexts.

This course is required to receive a digital badge for the AI Literacy Education Program.

Please register via the AI website for the “Collaboration with Zoom AI Companion” course.

The School of Theatre and Dance presents “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis, Friday, April 25 – Saturday, May 3, in The Little Theatre, Creative Arts building. This staging celebrates the 20th anniversary of the critically acclaimed play, bringing a fresh approach to its exploration of morality, justice and redemption.

Set in a time-bending corner of Purgatory called “Hope,” Judas is on trial for his betrayal of Jesus, his soul left in the balance. Through the testimonies of larger-than-life biblical and historical characters such as Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud and Satan, Guirgis’ provocative and irreverently funny play forces us to examine our ideas of love, mercy, free will and forgiveness. “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot blurs ancient faith with contemporary pessimism, making it as relevant today as it was at its premiere.

This production takes Guirgis’ razor-sharp script and transforms it through unconventional staging and an immersive experience that breaks traditional theatrical boundaries to engage audiences in unexpected ways.

“Our approach places the audience on the stage with the characters in the world of the play,” director Vicki Hoskins said. “By placing the audience in the midst of the action, we’re asking them to be more than spectators — We’re inviting them to grapple with the play’s questions in a direct and personal way.”

This visually and sonically engaging production features innovative design work by both undergraduate and graduate students, including Cory Aoki Trachsel (scenic), Germaina Powell (costumes), Yana Ubungen (lighting), Parker Santos and Atashi Evans (sound) and Cole Backhaus (props). A cast of student actors from SF State’s Theatre, Dance, Creative Writing, and Cinema programs further highlights the interdisciplinary collaboration that defines this production.

Showtimes: 

• Friday, April 25, 3 p.m. 
• Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. 
• Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m. 
• Thursday, May 1, 3 p.m. 
• Friday, May 2, 6 p.m. 
• Saturday, May 3, 3 p.m. 

Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admission. Please visit University Tickets to reserve your seat.

Photo by Vanessa Hoskins 

On Monday, April 28, 2 – 3:30 p.m., via Zoom, join a workshop with Ranjeeta Basu on applying mindfulness skills in the classroom to reduce stress/anxiety and improve academic success. 

This is a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion workshop. All faculty and student-facing staff should attend.

Please visit the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning website for details and to RSVP.

Please join the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CEETL) on Tuesday, April 29, at 1 p.m. in Library 260 for a workshop led by Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Jingjing Qiu. She will share how she uses social media and podcasts to co-teach with her students. 

The workshop takes place in the J. Paul Leonard Library’s Maker Space, which has a podcast room and podcast equipment for faculty to borrow. Sweet treats will be served.

Please visit the CEETL website for details and to RSVP.

The campus community is invited to a presentation, “Somebody ‘Blew Up’ San Francisco State College: That Was Now This is Then: How the Black Student Union and Black Arts Movements Changed Education Forever.” The free event takes place Thursday, May 1, 7 – 8:45 p.m., in Knuth Hall, Creative Arts building. It is in celebration of the cultural, political and historical victories before the historic SF State student strike of 1968 – 1969.

Associate Professor of Africana Studies Mark Allan Davis, in collaboration with School of Music Director and Professor Hafez Modirzadeh, presents a celebration of the empowering community organizing by young Black students, which initiated a monumental growth in Black student enrollment at SF State, the longest student strike in U.S. history and the first Black Studies department and College of Ethnic Studies. This program, curated by Davis, explores the dynamic creativity of “artivism” early on following his discovery of a play that premiered on the campus, written and directed by controversial poet/playwright LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka.

Davis hosts the event with a keynote address from James “Jimmy” Garrett. Special guests include members of the original SF State Black Student Union, today’s leaders of SFSU’s and Cal State LA’s Black Student Unions. Musical performances feature Modirzadeh and a quintet accompanying Los Angeles-based vocalist Najé Nova, choreography from De’jha Scott and Dancers, rapper/poet Chioke Allen and performer Nick Brentley.

Join the Guardian Scholars Program for its first Foster Ally Training, designed to teach participants about the needs of foster youth on campus and learn trauma-informed and strengths-based practices to support foster youth across the graduation finish line. The training will take place Friday, May 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Library 286. It is open to all SFSU staff, faculty and community members. 

Please register via Google Forms or via email to Ella Bastone at ebastone@sfsu.edu. Lunch will be provided.

Philosophy Lecturer Faculty Abrol Orion Fairweather passed away on April 5. He was 56. 

Fairweather grew up and spent most of his life on the West Coast. As a teenager, he lived in Pacific Palisades, where he attended the Palisades Charter High School. He then enrolled at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and earned his B.A. in Philosophy in 1992.  

At UCLA, he met Philippa Foot, with whom he interacted frequently. Fairweather always spoke of his meetings with her fondly, and he was certain that his conversations with Foot were the best way of doing philosophy, through engaged understanding with someone who cares deeply about it. Foot inspired Fairweather’s lifelong interest in the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein and in the set of views that fall under the umbrella of virtue theory. He continued his studies in philosophy at University of California, Santa Barbara, where he obtained his doctoral degree under Anthony Brueckner in 2005. 

Fairweather lectured at University of San Francisco, but he primarily taught at SF State, where he guided many students who succeeded in pursuing Philosophy at the graduate level. He was a passionate and energetic teacher who loved teaching a wide variety of topics, including philosophy of religion and introduction to philosophy, which reflected his capacious philosophical outlook. His interests included philosophy of science and ethics, both areas in which he contributed to the profession. 

He is best known as the co-editor, with Linda Zagzebski, of the volume “Virtue epistemology: Essays in epistemic virtue and responsibility” (2001, Oxford University Press). This book started a debate on epistemic virtues that led to other fundamental debates in epistemology, for instance, the possibility of epistemic situationism. He also edited, with Mark Alfano, an authoritative volume on this issue, the first sustained examination of epistemic situationism, titled “Epistemic situationism” (2017, Oxford University Press). Fairweather also focused on the possibility of naturalizing virtue epistemology, editing a volume with Owen Flanagan on this topic, “Naturalizing epistemic virtue” (2014, Cambridge University Press). 

At SF State, he collaborated with Carlos Montemayor, co-authoring articles and a book on the importance of attention in epistemology, as well as co-teaching a Master of Arts seminar on virtue epistemology. Their book on the possibility of an attention-based epistemology emphasized epistemic agency and epistemic achievement: “Knowledge, dexterity and attention: A theory of epistemic agency” (2017, Cambridge University Press). More recently, inspired by concerns about the erosion of our capacities for joint attention and linguistic communication, he and Montemayor edited the volume “Linguistic luck: Safeguards and threats to linguistic communication” (2023, Oxford University Press), contrasting it to the debates on moral and epistemic luck. These accounts aimed to solve difficulties in epistemology and philosophy of language.

Fairweather was very fond of music, particularly jazz and blues, which also became an academic interest. He and Jesse R. Steinberg edited the volume “Blues-Philosophy for everyone: Thinking deep about feeling low” (2012, John Wiley and Sons).

Fairweather’s childhood was marked by the premature death of his mother and his father struggling to raise a child in the early ’70s, and he continued to reflect on these experiences in the final years of his life. At San Francisco State, he suffered the anxiety and vulnerability of teaching a heavy course load at a program with limited resources, while working and living in the Bay Area with its high cost of living. A congenital heart defect meant that he required a heart transplant, followed by years of careful medical supervision.

He enjoyed live music whenever he could. Likewise, he never stopped thinking about philosophy, caring deeply about conversation and worrying that contemporary practices of communication have compromised its integrity.

Fairweather is survived by his daughter Barbara.