Dear Campus Community,

As the weather begins to cool, the pleasant breeze of autumn brings on a time to reflect. There is much happening at Fresno State; the energy we felt with our students’ return to campus has sustained a new rhythm of planning and strategizing about the future. With a focus on our bright future, we begin October.

Academic Affairs
Our faculty continue to explore new approaches to best serve our students in an evolving educational landscape. This semester, about 50 faculty are piloting HyFlex courses after participating in training through the Center for Faculty Excellence. This includes four faculty from the College of Health and Human Services who recently reflected on their experiences. HyFlex options will expand in the spring, with an additional 35 faculty currently taking part in the training.

Administration and Finance
The Central Utility Plant Replacement (CUPR) project developer has an internal team of sustainability experts known as the Green Operations (GO) team who have been working with the campus to award six internships and two scholarships starting this fall. The next priority for the GO team is a Human Behavior Energy Audit, a powerful measurement tool that identifies energy attitudes, perceptions, social norms and energy-wasting behaviors. The GO team will be conducting focus groups with a number of identified student and employee groups during the week of Oct. 18 and a survey, in partnership with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, will be sent out to our campus community in early November. The survey results will help to provide insight into additional programs and resources that will sustain a culture of energy conservation and sustainability as a result of the CUPR project.

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
The Career Development Center is hosting its annual career and internship fair for students in person from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 to 7 in North Gym 118. The first day is designed for students seeking jobs in heath, human and public service. Oct. 6 will feature employers from science, technology, engineering, agriculture and manufacturing, and the last day will be dedicated to business, media and creative careers.

Technology Services
Technology Services has made Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) a priority and created a role for a Division Diversity Advocate. The goal of this initiative is to make DEI a part of the conversation in a more approachable way. Elyse Pancotti, special assistant to the deputy chief information officer, will create a bi-monthly newsletter that highlights different topics and stories from our staff to cultivate a more inclusive environment within Technology Services.

University Advancement
One focus of the fall season is the United Way Our Promise campaign. University Advancement facilitates this annual campaign which uplifts California communities and causes. In 2020, Fresno State faculty and staff raised over $21,000 to support our neighboring communities. Thank you! If you have questions about this year’s campaign, please visit Our Promise or email Patricia O’Connor, director of annual giving, at poconnor@mail.fresnostate.edu.