Did you know spring is like a giant game of "show and tell" for parent gators! After laying their eggs in a big nest of mud and plants earlier in the spring, the eggs hatch around April or May. These tiny gators, called "hatchlings", are about the size of a large paperclip and there can be up to 40 of them in a single nest!
Greeting Scholars!
Welcome back from spring recess. I hope all of you were able to spend some time with family, friends, and loved ones during the break. Now that you’re back, we have the final push toward the end of the spring semester.
The Division of Student Life & Dean of Students Office continues to focus its efforts on co-creating and developing the student experience outside of the classroom.
I will begin my monthly updates by sharing a brief recap of our inaugural SF State 4-day student institute hosted during spring break in partnership with LeaderShape. A mix of 26 undergraduate and graduate students were selected to participate in the program hosted at Cityteam Camp May-Mac in Felton, California. Throughout the conference, participants engaged in a variety of highly engaging discussions, activities, and reflection focused on personal values, individual identity, and concepts related to social change.
Another update I am excited to share is that our Student Activities & Events team hosted the grand opening of a new student space we are calling the “Gator Tank.” Registered student club and organizations can reserve this space to host meetings and programs or use as work space. There is a poster size printer and laminating machine student clubs can use as well. Come check out Gator Tank, located in Student Services 404, and if you’re curious about joining a student organization, stop by Student Services 301 to speak with our engagement team.
Finally, I am thrilled to share that our division is in the process of expanding the SAFE Place resources available to all students at SF State. We are searching for a full-time SAFE Place Coordinator who will focus part of their time on providing sexual health and violence prevention education on campus. We anticipate having this position filled in time for fall semester.
Those are my highlights for now. Please remember to nominate fellow students for an Alli Award that will be presented during our first Alli Student Awards ceremony on April 30, and check out the spring semester student activities calendar on Gator Xperience.
Your Dean of Students team continues to be ready to assist you throughout your student experience here at SF State. Never hesitate to reach out. Be well and Go Gators!
Dean Miguel
Earth Week:
- Monday April 22nd:
- Earth Week Tabling: 11am-2pm in Malcolm X Plaza
- Guided Planetarium Shows: Earth, Climate Change & the Cosmos: 11am & 12pm shows in Thornton Hall, 4th floor room 422
- Earth Week Launch Party in the Depot: 5pm-8pm in the Depot
- Tuesday, April 23rd:
- Climate Justice Job Mixer: 11am-3pm in Jack Adams Hall
- Alumni Panel: Life After Graduation in Enviromental & Climate Careers: 12pm-1:30pm in Jack Adams Hall
- Wednesday, April 24th:
- Environmental Resource Center’s Student Flea Market: 11am-2pm in Jack Adams Hall
- Asserting Indigenous Sovereignty: Defending Indigenous Land Rights: 3:30pm-5:30pm in Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building
- Thursday, April 25th:
- Honoring the Relationships between Activism and the Arts: 11am-2pm in Malcolm X Plaza.
- Climate HQ’s Second Annual Flim Festival: 4pm-7pm in Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building
Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
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Survivor Writing Workshop: April 15th, 12pm-2pm in the Richard Oaks, reflect on the journey to healing alongside the Women’s Center and SAFE Place.
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Take Back the Night: April 17th, 8pm-10pm in Malcon X Plaza, Join us for a march and rally against sexual assault, which will be concluding with a candlelight vigil.
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Kitchen Table Screening: April 25th 7pm-8pm in HUM 587, SFSU will host a screening of SFWAR’s interview.
Health Promotion and Wellness:
- HPW is excited to announce our new Wellness Vending Machine program. Open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week the Open24 vending machine is located between the Library and the Admin building and now offers low-cost wellness supplies for students. For only 25 cents per item, students can now get Narcan, Fentanyl testing strips, condoms, pregnancy tests, and menstrual supplies.
Interfaith Programs Unit
San Francisco State University’s Interfaith Programs Unit strives to provide spaces where students can express and engage in their own cultures and have the opportunity to share their experiences with students from other backgrounds. In doing so, the Interfaith Programs Unit hopes to raise awareness about the traditions of our students and improve access to the services and accommodations students need to succeed at SF State.
The Interfaith Programs Unit includes a Jewish Student Life Coordinator (Danille Hoffer, dhoffer@sfsu.edu) and a Muslim Student Life Coordinator (Sara Alhanich, salhanich@sfsu.edu) both of whom engage with other faith groups on campus to create interfaith programming. Danille and Sara offer space for Jewish and Muslim students, as well as students interested in learning about Jewish and Islamic culture, to come together, celebrate holidays, and build community. In addition to programming, Danille and Sara also act as resources for students seeking religious accommodations or experiencing discrimination.
Part of the Office of Diversity, Student Equity and Interfaith Programs, which also serves AB 540/undocumented and LGBTQ+ students, the Interfaith Programs Unit is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and is located in Student Services Building (SSB), Room 206. All students are welcome to use the space to study, socialize, print, or grab a snack. You can learn more about our upcoming programs on Instagram (@sfsudiversity) or by checking the list below.
Crafts & Listening Party w/Sara Alhanich
Tuesday, April 16
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Student Services Building (SSB), Room 206
Interfaith End-of-Year Celebration
Friday, May 10
12:00pm – 3:00pm
University Club (Cesar Chavez, 2nd floor)
https://bit.ly/InterfaithCelebration2024
Extended Study/Craft Hours
Monday, May 13 – Thursday, May 16
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Student Services Building (SSB), Room 206
Miriam Uriostegui – Studio Art, Vallejo, CA
My name is Miriam and I am a sophomore majoring in Studio Art minoring in Comic Studies and Business Entrepreneurship. I am from Vallejo, CA, but went to school in Marin County and graduated from Novato High under the Marin School of the Arts program. I chose SF State because of its awesome art department and campus inclusivity. After I graduate, I plan on becoming a digital illustrator. My current and future side hustle is the music career I am trying to build as a music producer (@MiniMiri_999). I enrolled in study abroad for the next school year and will be in Mexico. Another thing I love about SF State is its study abroad program because it has allowed me to reconnect with my cultural roots and background. So far, I have experienced academic and social growth and hope to continue educating myself while attending SF State.
Hannah Joanne Johnson – Psychology & Creative Writing, Bay Area, CA
My name is Hannah Johnson (she/her) and I'm double majoring in Psychology and Creative Writing at SFSU. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, more specifically San Jose. Regarding my future endeavors, I want to be an author and write adult dark fantasy/sci-fi novels. I am impeccably passionate about reading and writing and am also heavily interested in Psychology. I possibly plan on getting my doctorate to extensively gain in-depth knowledge and expertise regarding this field. I chose SFSU because, as a creative student, I felt as though I could easily find my own community, given the fact that many artists/writers have gone to this school and have flourished. I wanted to be in community with other creatives, as well as live in the beautiful and unique city of San Francisco. I love SFSU because it thoroughly fosters a uniquely enriching, welcoming, and diverse learning environment for students, and the campus is also very beautiful.
Each month we will be highlighting students who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and academic acheviemnt. To submit a nomination for yourself or a peer, fill out our Qualtrics form here!
Veterans Services Center
Your Veterans Services Center at SF State is an academic, social, and resource hub serving our military-affiliated community. We serve our community by providing a variety of services, including:
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Processing Credit for Training: Your DD-214 and Joint Services Transcripts can be applied to your SF State transcript as credits. https://veterans.sfsu.edu/admissions
- Certifying Education Benefits: If you are eligible for CA State (CalVet) and/or VA Education Benefits certification (CH 1606, CH 30, CH 31, CH 33, CH 35), we certify your enrollment each term so that your benefits arrive to you in a timely manner. https://veterans.sfsu.edu/benefits
- Socializing and Studying Space: The Vets Corner military-affiliated student area located in Burk Hall 153 and 155 is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Stop by. Hang out. Study. Grab a snack to go. https://veterans.sfsu.edu/vetcorner
- Encouraging Community: Your VETS@SF State student organization provides student leadership, ways to get involved, and social opportunities. https://veterans.sfsu.edu/vetcorner
- Providing Supportive Networking: We network with on-campus and off-campus service providers to link military-affiliated students with resources you need to thrive in school.
We look forward to hearing from you, meeting you, and showing you around. Please reach out if you have any questions: veterans@sfsu.edu.
- La Bendicion: Blessing of the Cars– Saturday April 20 at 1-4pm – 24th & Mission BART Plaza
- Selena Tribute Cruise – April 20 at 4pm – On Mission Street between Cesar Chavez & 24th, Family friendly event
Find more event in San Francisco and the Bay Area here.
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Apply for the 2024-2025 year on their website.
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Fall 2024 Class Schedule is now available here.
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May 10, 2024 - Grading Option Deadline (CR/ No NC, Audit, or Letter Grade).