Monday Message, July 21
SDSU Community,
Thank you to everyone who helped make last week’s South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Board of Regents meeting such a success. It was a pleasure to welcome the regents and their staff to our beautiful campus and showcase the remarkable work taking place at South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University. From the meeting logistics to the hospitality extended by our ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, staff and students, our guests were genuinely appreciative of the experience. Your commitment to excellence continues to reflect the very best of who we are.
As we begin the final countdown to the start of another academic year, I want to highlight several important dates and opportunities that bring excitement and energy back to campus in August.
Our Meet State Committee continues to meet regularly as we prepare to welcome another large class of first-year students during move-in weekend, Aug. 22-23. This annual event is one of the most impactful moments of the year for our new Jackrabbits and their families. First impressions matter, and the kindness and support you offer during these two days go a long way in shaping the student experience.
There are still opportunities to volunteer during move-in. I . Whether that’s helping students unload their cars or offering a warm smile and a few words of encouragement, your presence makes a real difference.
Welcome Back Employee Picnic, scheduled for Aug. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, celebrate the start of a new year, and enjoy time together before the semester kicks into full gear. Please take a moment to so we have an accurate headcount for planning purposes. You're welcome to attend for all or part of the event — whatever works with your schedule.
Also, SDSU will once again serve as the title sponsor for Downtown at Sundown on Aug. 21 in downtown Brookings. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a host of activities and local vendors, followed by live music from Judd Hoos starting at 6 p.m. We’ll have a strong university presence again this year with representation from the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, SDSU Foundation and, of course, SDSU ice cream. Other activities include face painting, temporary tattoos and more. It’s a great way to engage with the community and celebrate the spirit of Brookings and SDSU. You can visit the for more information.
As we look ahead to a new semester, I also want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary work of our ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and researchers this past year. Despite ongoing uncertainties related to federal funding and agency budgets, SDSU achieved another record-breaking year with $94.3 million in research expenditures. This accomplishment is a direct result of your creativity, collaboration, and hard work. It also underscores the strength of our mission as a land-grant university and our commitment to addressing challenges that affect South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and beyond.
More information will be shared in the coming days about this milestone, including some of the key projects and partnerships that contributed to the total. But I wanted to take a moment now to thank and congratulate all who played a role in this achievement. We are closely monitoring federal budget discussions in Washington, D.C., and will continue advocating for resources that support research, innovation and student success.
As always, thank you for everything you do to make SDSU a premier land-grant university. Whether you're conducting groundbreaking research, supporting student success, maintaining our beautiful campus or helping launch a new class of Jackrabbits, your dedication is what sets South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State apart.
Wishing you all a great week ahead.
Go Jacks!
Barry H. Dunn
President
South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University employees, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week we recognize the team leading the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center, which this spring renewed its learning center certification through the International College Learning Center Association, reaffirming its commitment to student success and high-quality academic support services.
With this renewal, the Wintrode Center remains one of only 17 centers worldwide to hold the certification. This distinction recognizes adherence to professional standards in student learning and support. The certification, originally earned in 2020, is valid through 2029 and must be renewed every five years.
The certification demonstrates the center’s ongoing dedication to excellence and innovation in helping students succeed, said Jody Owen, senior director of the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center.
The center moved to its current location in Wagner Hall in August 2023. Since then, core program usage has increased significantly.
This spring, the Wintrode Tutoring Program celebrated its 20th anniversary. Launched in spring 2005, it has since grown to serve nearly 1,000 students each year across more than 20 courses and has achieved all three levels of certification through the College Reading and Learning Association.
Today, the Wintrode Center serves nearly half of SDSU’s undergraduate student population each year and employs more than 80 undergraduate students each semester in roles such as tutors, Supplemental Instruction leaders, peer mentors and front desk assistants.
Wintrode Center full-time staff includes Matt Badura, Tina Birgen, Karin Burdick, Nathan Bylander, Alaina Corgard, Jacque Danielson, Gail Flammond, Nicole Gertken, Traci Johnson, Carolyn Killefer, Emma Mudgett, Linde Murray, Ismael Pallares, Meghan Peterson, Lydia Reding, Brenna Rubendall LaVoy, Steph Sandmeier and True Thorne.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in renewing the learning center’s certification this spring, and for all those whose efforts help our students succeed.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
BluePrint/Campus Maps
BluePrint, located in the University Student Union, will provide printing options for an updated campus map. The interactive online map will still be available, in addition to the printed version.
The campus maps will be printed on 11x17, 24# matte paper, single-sided, in full color. The minimum order is 50 maps, with pricing as follows:
- 50-100 maps: $0.40/map
- 101-499 maps: $0.30/map
- 500-999 maps: $0.20/map
- 1,000-plus maps: $0.10/map
BluePrint also provides many additional printing options for campus. For orders over 1,000 sheets, please allow at least two to three business days of lead time. For specialty orders that the shop is unable to fulfill, they will refer you to University Marketing and Communications, who can connect you with approved printers better equipped for the job.
If you have any questions or would like to place an order or request an estimate, please email BluePrint or stop by the office located in the lower level of the University Student Union.
When placing an order, please include the following information along with your project details:
- Name
- Department
- Index
- Due date
- Quantity
- Paper stock
Jacks Cupboard Back-to-School Drive
Jack's Cupboard will hold its annual Back-to-School Drive through Aug. 21, for departments around campus to donate items to the on-campus food pantry for students who are facing food insecurity and financial hardships.
A flyer will go out to each department with the specific items we are challenging them to donate. Deadline to drop off items will be Aug. 21 between 2-5 p.m. at Jack's Cupboard.
Emergency Management Training
Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in active threat and emergency management training every couple of years. The training is conducted by the University Police Department and emergency management staff. Training will be held on the following days during the upcoming academic year:
- Wednesday
- Aug. 21
- Sept. 18
- Oct. 17
- Nov. 19
- Dec. 10
- Jan.15
- Feb. 20
- March 11
- April 15
- May 14
The Office of Emergency Management prepares the SDSU community for emergencies and coordinates response and recovery by providing a campuswide, all-hazards integration from major threat events to local emergencies. The team also manages a complete, FEMA-aligned emergency management plan and the emergency operations center and utilizes response protocols from FEMA’s National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System.
The emergency management team also provides a strong connection with local and state emergency networks and fosters community resilience and leadership, as part of the South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Incident Management Assistance Team, which helps extend emergency readiness beyond campus.
The SDSU emergency management team works with the University Police Department, risk management, Facilities and Services, Athletics, Human Resources and many others on campus to foster a robust institutional support and infrastructure.
Workplace Wellness
South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ State University ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and staff are invited to participate in a virtual , presented by SDSU Extension’s Better Choices, Better Health. The evidence-based program is designed to support individuals living with ongoing health conditions, as well as those seeking to improve their overall health and well-being.
Sessions will be held via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon-1 p.m. CST, through Aug. 28. Participants will learn practical strategies to manage symptoms such as fatigue, stress and pain and will gain tools to improve nutrition, physical activity and communication with health care providers. Offered in a supportive small-group format, this workshop is open exclusively to SDSU ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and staff.
Anderson Plaza Performance Series
The South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Art Museum will host free performances on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. during the month of July. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinner, chair and blanket. Snacks and drinks may be purchased, and there will be yard games and plenty of space for everyone on the Campus Green.
Tomorrow’s performance will be Gene McGowan and Friends, who will perform jazz music from The Great American Song Book.
- July 29 – Paddywhack will perform traditional folk music from Ireland and the British Isles.
In the event of inclement ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, performances will move inside the art museum. Free parking is available in the parking lots south and west of the museum, with no need for permits or passes after 4 p.m. on the day of the events.
Fifth annual Specialty Crop Field Day on Campus
SDSU Extension will host the 2025 Specialty Crop Field Day, July 29 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the specialty crop research field located at 1601 University Blvd. in Brookings.
The event will feature a series of presentations and field tours related to small to midscale commercial vegetable production research trials. Beginning and current specialty crop producers will benefit greatly from this event; nonprofit organizations, technical service providers, Master Gardeners and home gardeners are all invited to attend.
The fifth annual Specialty Crop Field Day will provide attendees an opportunity to tour eight unique research plots that feature peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, pumpkins and cut flowers. A variety of soil health, disease management and crop-timing strategies will be discussed. Four newly constructed caterpillar tunnels and two existing high tunnels will be featured. Throughout the event, SDSU ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, SDSU Extension specialists and local organizations will staff educational booths to share resources to support the success of specialty crops in South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. This will be a great networking event with multiple chances to learn from students, extension specialists and each other.
This event is family-friendly, and all ages (with a parent or guardian) are welcome, but please leave all pets at home. This tour will include moderate distances of walking, so please wear appropriate footwear that can get dirty. If you require accommodations or assistance, please contact Kristine Lang one week prior to the event so she can make arrangements for you to fully engage in this field day.
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Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit New and Recently Revised Policies.
