News & Announcements
Provost Amy Sueyoshi announced that Professor of Sociology Andreana Clay will be the interim dean of the College of Health & Social Sciences for one year, starting July 1. She will succeed Alvin Alvarez, who has served as dean of the college since 2014.
Clay holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from UC Davis, an M.A. from University of Memphis and a B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has been at SF State since 2004 and is the author of “The Hip-Hop Generation Fights Back: Youth, Activism, and Post Civil Rights Politics.” She has additionally published numerous essays in publications such as Social Justice, Critical Black Studies Reader and the Journal of Lesbian Studies. She is currently the chair of the Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies, the first Black woman to hold the position. Clay has served on a wide range of committees — supporting faculty of color retention; promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including the training of hiring committees across campus; and advancing English writing proficiency.
President and CEO of cloud networking company Arista Networks Jayshree Ullal (B.S., ’81) will be the keynote speaker at the University’s 122nd Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, at Oracle Park. She will celebrate the accomplishments of the 7,900 graduates from the class of 2023 alongside their families, friends and members of the SF State community.
The University will also award honorary doctoral degrees to former Rolling Stone journalist Ben Fong-Torres (B.A., ’66) and activist, psychotherapist and filmmaker Satsuki Ina.
The graduate procession begins at 5:30 p.m., with the Commencement ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed live online, but updates and photos will be posted throughout the evening to the University’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. More details are available at commencement.sfsu.edu.
Learn more about Ullal, Fong-Torres and Ina at SF State News.
What does an oceanographer do? How are scientists using oysters and eelgrass to save San Francisco Bay? Want to meet “slug bunnies”?
Answers to these questions and more can be found at SF State’s Estuary & Ocean Science (EOS) Center’s free Marine Lab Open House Sunday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community members can meet local marine scientists and San Francisco Bay critters and learn how EOS Center scientists collaborate with nature to conduct research and mitigate impacts of climate change.
“We miss welcoming the community to the EOS Center. Hearing what our community asks, what they don’t understand and how they would like to be involved makes us think and helps us be better scientists and communicators,” EOS Center’s Interim Executive Director Katharyn Boyer said.
The EOS Center is located at SF State’s Romberg Tiburon Campus (3150 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, California). This will be the first in-person open house EOS Center has hosted since its 2019 event, which drew over 1,000 attendees.
Boyer has noticed that the community has shifted its focus to wanting to understand the issues facing the local Bay ecosystem. Many EOS Center researchers work with onsite partners from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and National Estuarine Research Reserve to make advances in nature-based solutions to local climate change.
“The EOS Center is the only marine lab on San Francisco Bay. We do the on-the-ground, in-the-mud, under-the-water, in-the-lab research that reveals how the Bay functions,” Boyer added, pointing out that the Center has trained students and scientists for nearly 45 years. “Our deep and immersive (pun intended) understanding of this ecosystem means we are often the first to notice when those functions have gone astray.”
At the open house, the public will have access to nearly 100 active marine lab scientists who will be showcasing their work and are eager to talk to the community. The family-friendly event includes a variety of activities that range from a touch tank with Bay creatures and listening to whale and dolphin sounds to more informational activities about underwater plants that reduce ocean acidification. There will also be a food truck and oyster bar.
“One of my favorite things to do at our open house is point out the slug bunnies on the eelgrass in our tanks,” Boyer said, explaining that they are a type of sea slug called eelgrass sea hares that vaguely resemble a green, striped rabbit. More importantly, these little creatures promote eelgrass growth by eating algae on eelgrass blades — and this growth can calm shore water, store carbon and reduce ocean acidification.
Register for the free Marine Lab Open House and learn more about the EOS Center.
SF State’s College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) will launch a Courses for Careers initiative for summer 2023, offering discounted courses to support people impacted by recent mass layoffs in the San Francisco Bay Area. The move will help people get a fresh start in a new position or a new career.
CPaGE will offer one course for free and one course at 50% off for the following programs: Open University, General Education online courses, Paralegal Studies Certificate, E-Learning Certificate, Human Resource Management Certificate and Project Management Certificate. Visit the Courses for Careers webpage to learn more about the class schedule and how to register.
People who were laid off from their most recent position are eligible for the discounts. To register, students will need to fill out the Courses for Careers Registration Form with their preferred courses and proof of eligibility.
Apart from the discounted programs, students will find a variety of professional development opportunities in the college. CPaGE has over 50 programs that are offered in-person, online or hybrid, including online bachelor’s degree completion programs.
Furthermore, SF State alumni have the advantage of resources provided by the University’s Career & Leadership Development (CLD) department, such as resume and cover letter workshopping, interview preparation and headshots.
Registration for classes is now open. More information about the college and the programs offered can be found on the CPaGE website.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded $5.7 million to the Department of Counseling’s Equity and Justice-Focused School-Based Mental Health training project for a five-year program to address the shortage of school-based mental health professionals. Partnering with Oakland and San Francisco Unified School Districts (OUSD and SFUSD, respectively), the Department of Counseling will train master’s students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to work with K-12 students in high-need schools. The project will be led by Department of Counseling Associate Professors Molly Strear (lead researcher) and Tiffany O’Shaughnessy and Professor Julie Chronister.
Students in the department with a specialization or emphasis in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage, Family and Child Counseling are eligible for a $10,000 stipend each year they complete fieldwork in OUSD or SFUSD schools and commit to one-year of full-time employment in high-need K-12 schools after graduation.
“As the only publicly funded school counselor training program in the San Francisco region of the Bay Area, and one of only three CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs)-accredited programs in California, SF State has been integral in building capacity to meet the mental health needs of Bay Area youth for over 30 years,” said Strear. “Our students reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the [region], and many choose to return to work in their Bay Area communities after graduation. The high cost of living coupled with rising tuition rates and lack of compensation for pre-graduate fieldwork makes it very challenging to pursue a graduate degree.”
San Francisco State University’s 122nd Commencement ceremony will be Friday, May 26, at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Volunteers are an integral part of our graduation ceremony and play a key role in the success of this special day, and the campus community’s support in bringing this special event to life for graduating students and their friends and family members is much appreciated. Please consider signing up to help. Ambassador assignments will be from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. As in years past, all ambassadors are asked to:
- Get approval from their supervisor.
- Attend at least one ambassador informational training via Zoom for their assignment. The training dates are May 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., and May 23, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Many assignments involve large amounts of walking and standing, so should you require any accommodations in this regard please note them on the sign-up form under “Questions or requests.” If you have any questions, please contact Dania Russell at drussell@sfsu.edu.
The University’s 2023 Commencement Friday, May 26, at Oracle Park is an opportunity for graduates, their friends and family members to celebrate graduation from SF State. Having their favorite faculty members in attendance helps make the occasion even more special for graduating students. That’s why the faculty community is asked to please consider signing up to be a faculty marshal. Assignments will be from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Ken Maeshiro at kmaeshir@sfsu.edu.
As in years past, all marshals are asked to attend at least one faculty marshal informational training via Zoom for their assignment. The training dates are May 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., and May 23, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Ken Maeshiro at kmaeshir@sfsu.edu.
Candidates have been selected to interview for the College of Ethnic Studies dean. The campus community is invited to attend the candidates’ presentations followed by Q&A and a light reception in LIB 244.
Our candidates in order of visit are:
- Monday, May 1: Dr. Terri Jett
- Tuesday, May 2: Dr. Joy Castro
- Wednesday, May 3: Dr. Grace Yoo
- Tuesday, May 9: Dr. Katynka Martinez
Detailed information on candidates with dates and times for presentations can be found on the Academic Affairs and Office of the Provost website.
SF State’s Cost Recovery Governance Committee has drafted a Cost Recovery Policy (formerly known as “chargeback”) that is now available to the public. This new policy can be viewed on Administration & Finance’s Draft University Executive Directives and Policies Under Review website until Tuesday, May 23. Comments and feedback on the draft policy can be submitted using the Feedback: University Executive Directives and Policies online tool. For assistance, please contact policies@sfsu.edu. Thanks in advance for your review!
College Corps is still accepting applications! Please help spread the word to encourage students to apply for this paid service opportunity. College Corps is currently recruiting students for Cohort 2.
Student are able to gain experience, build their resume and make a difference with the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps at SF State. By working on critical projects, getting professional development training and networking for their future career, student can become part of a movement of passionate individuals committed to positive change and tackling critical issues facing our communities. This program is open to AB 540 CA Dream Act students. Students will earn up to $10,000 while serving in community-based service in one of three critical focus areas: K-12 education, climate action and environmental justice, and food insecurity.
Students can learn more and apply today at icce.sfsu.edu/college-corps.
The Academic Senate met on Tuesday, April 18, at the Seven Hills Conference Center and via Zoom. The senate:
- Adopted by general consent Revision to Summer 2023 Academic Calendar.
- Adopted by general consent Resolution Supporting No-Fee Tuition Payment Plan.
- Passed Minor in Humanities, reduction in units required.
- Passed Revision to S21-275 Academic Probation and Disqualification Policy.
- Passed SF State Land Acknowledgement Resolution.
- Passed the following items:
- B.A. in Labor and Employment Studies, Distance Education Authorization
- M.A. in Creative Writing, Distance Education Authorization
- MFA in Creative Writing, Distance Education Authorization
- M.A. in Humanities, Distance Education Authorization
- Certificate in Music/Recording Industry, BECA, CPaGE to State Support
- Minor in Prison Re-entry Studies, Criminal Justice Studies
- Minor in Entrepreneurship, Business
- Minor in Creative Writing, new program
- Heard in first reading new Administrative Graduation Policy.
- Heard in first reading the following items:
- B.S. in Computer Science, more than 70 units
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, more than 70 units
- B.S. in Computer Engineering, more that 70 units
- B.A. in Music, more than 45 units
- B.A. in Journalism, Concentration in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, title change.
- B.A. in Journalism, Concentration in Print and Online Journalism, title change
- B.S. in Business Administration, Concentration in General Business, new program
- M.A. in Chinese, Distance Education Authorization
- B.A. in Chinese (Language concentration), Distance Education Authorization
- B.A. in Chinese (Literature concentration), Distance Education Authorization
- B.A. in Chinese (Flagship concentration), Distance Education Authorization
- B.A. in Labor and Employment Studies, Distance Education Authorization
- Reminder: The voting period for the spring 2023 Academic Senate elections has started and will close at the end of the business day on Friday, April 28. Here’s where to go to vote.
The full agenda, meeting materials and minutes can be found on the senate website.
The Lam Family College of Business’ Business Ethics Week concludes Thursday, April 27! There’s still time to join in via Zoom to hear experts discuss topics at the intersection of business ethics, innovation, social justice and the environment. See the schedule of events and Zoom links on the Lam Family College of Business website.
Curious to see what the sun looks like through a telescope? Want to see some sunspots on its surface that are sometimes be as big as the Earth itself? Student docents from the SFSU Observatory will be providing safe viewing of the sun through a special solar telescope set up in front of Thorton Hall this week! Weather permitting, viewing times will be:
Monday: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. and 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Come check it out, bring a friend and help spread the word!
Important note: The sun can only be viewed if the skies are clear. In case of fog or clouds, please come back another day.
The campus community is invited to join an Eid holiday celebration on Monday, April 24, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Lam Family College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lounge, BUS 221. Enjoy delicious holiday snacks and stories of how the Eid holiday is celebrated by members of the SF State community.
The campus community is invited to recognize SF State students who will be studying abroad in fall 2023, the academic year 2023-24 and summer 2023. The Office of International Programs is holding a Study Abroad Ceremony on Friday, April 28, in the Student Life Event Center (Annex) from 3 to 5 p.m. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.) This is the final sendoff for students who will be participating in the California State University International Program or an SF State Exchange Program. Please come celebrate and honor our students.
Register now to attend the online Entrepreneurship Symposium & Innovation Pitch Competition on Friday, April 28. The SF State community is invited to come for a full day of diverse thought, inspiration and celebration of entrepreneurship at SF State!
Come hear innovative thinkers and successful entrepreneurs discuss how they overcame obstacles to launch their startups. Get inspired by our talented students as they pitch their entrepreneurial business ideas to compete for $10,000 in shared cash prizes.
This annual symposium was founded with the mission of encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit, developing entrepreneurial skills and strengthening the entrepreneurial network between SF State, our local communities and industry. The event is hosted by the Lam-Larsen Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative at the Lam Family College of Business.
The Office of Alumni Relations invites you to a special virtual cooking demonstration hosted by the Vista Room’s Chef Tim Shaw on Tuesday, June 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Shaw will teach cooks of all skill levels how to make two summer favorites: spicy chicken wings and strawberry shortcake. These dishes are sure to make you the most popular person at summertime festivities. Register to join.
SF State Spotlight
Yutian Wong, professor of Theatre and Dance, has co-edited a special issue of Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies titled “Dancing in the Aftermath of Anti-Asian Violence.” The project began in response to the 2021 spa shootings in Atlanta and proceeded as gun violence in the U.S. continued unabated. The deaths of the dancers in Monterey Park and the farmworkers in Half Moon Bay haunt the final line edits of the page proofs as the issue went to press.
Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies is an open-access e-journal published by the Dance Studies Association.
The San Diego Voyager featured a Q&A with Cinema Professor Daniel Bernardi on his scholarly work, filmmaking, teaching and military service. He created the Veteran Documentary Corps as a center at SF State to produce films about the U.S. veteran experience.
“After three consecutive deployments — Iraq, Indonesia and the Pacific — I returned to my civilian life as a film professor, deciding that I had to do something to help tell the story of the diversity of the veteran community,” Bernardi said. “We are not simply wounded warriors, though many of us do share the scars of war and other military-related challenges. If we are to have fewer wars, and we are anti-war unless attacked but pro-veteran, the civilian population needs to understand what military service means: the wonderful opportunities it presents and the challenges a very select few endure deployment after deployment.”
Kinesiology Lecturer Martin Dixon and Associate Professor Nicole Bolter recently published a study in the International Sport Coaching Journal on collegiate coaches’ use of reflection to manage performance demands and promote useful responses to the stress.
Their findings reveal how coaches reflected on their strengths and previous successes to enable thriving in stressful situations, but also tended to ruminate on performance problems which could be detrimental to well-being.
Another surge of racism toward Asian people may come soon, Asian American Studies Professor Russell Jeung writes in The Los Angeles Times on April 17. He views warning signs from increasing tension between the U.S. and China and prejudicial portrayals by the media, American extremists and public officials.
“If we truly believe in democratic ideals and values, let’s honor them,” Jeung wrote. “Rather than attacking groups to rile up voting blocs and stir up culture wars, we should safeguard our civil liberties and promote racial unity.”
Jewish Studies Associate Professor Rachel B. Gross will present a virtual lecture for the Center for Jewish History on April 27. The title of her lecture is “Family History Today: Give Us Our Name — Jewish Genealogy and American Jewish Religion.”
Since its organizational beginnings in the 1970s, Jewish genealogy has offered countless Americans of Jewish descent an opportunity to connect with Jewish history emotionally and spiritually. Based on her interviews with genealogists around the country, observations of Jewish Genealogical Societies and studies of Jewish genealogists’ papers, Gross will discuss how and why genealogy research has come to be viewed as a religious practice by many American Jews today.
Gross serves as the John and Marcia Goldman Chair in American Jewish Studies.
Political Science Lecturer David Lee participated in a panel discussion on Capital Radio’s “Mid Pacific” on April 13 exploring political organizing in the Asian American community in Northern California.
“I think any politician who is thinking about running for office in San Francisco needs to consider the Asian American community as a potent political force,” Lee said. “Any party, including the Democratic Party, needs to consider the hopes and desires and wishes of Asian American voters and the Asian American community.”
As workers at Ben & Jerry’s flagship ice cream parlor in Vermont have recently taken steps to form a union, Professor and Chair of Labor and Employment Studies John Logan shared his perspective with The Washington Post on April 17.
“An aggressive anti-union campaign would involve a huge amount of reputational risk for Ben & Jerry’s,” Logan said, noting that the brand is known for being an “archetypal progressive corporation.”
The Guardian called on Political Science Associate Professor Jason McDaniel for an April 14 article about crime and politics in San Francisco. He discussed the 2022 voter recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
“Boudin was elected in a post-Black Lives Matter moment when the issues of police brutality and outright oppression of marginalized communities was a salient thing for a lot of voters,” McDaniel said. “But there was a reaction against that. Some of it is politics and some of it is people feeling a sense of lawlessness during and after the pandemic.”
McDaniel added: “The perception among political leaders is that voters want more action, they want to be less oppositional toward police. They want to be less accepting of public disorder and lawlessness.”