Dear University Community:

You have probably noticed the increased sense of energy and excitement on campus this week.

As always, the start of a new academic year is filled with great promise. I hope you are as enthusiastic about the year as I am, and that you are equally proud to be surrounded by colleagues who share such a clear dedication to our students.

Many events and activities are scheduled for the first few weeks of the semester, and I encourage you to take part in as many as you can. These include welcoming new and returning students, meeting new faculty and staff, and catching up with colleagues who have been away during the summer.

The semester officially begins Monday, August 17 with the Fall Kickoff (formerly convocation) at 8:30 a.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre. At that event, I will highlight some of the plans for the year, including the priorities set out in the five-year strategic plan, which was created last year with input from hundreds of employees, students, alumni, and members of the many communities we serve. Refreshments will be provided on the Art Quad afterwards, and then many of the planning meetings for Colleges and academic departments get underway.

For the rest of the week, and through the second week of classes, a series of activities are designed to welcome new students to our community, as well as to welcome current students back to campus. These events are all under the banner of “Welcome Home to Humboldt,” and we are hoping for broad campus participation.

Events during “Welcome Home to Humboldt” include Move-In Day on Tuesday, August 18, when most of our new students living on campus will move in to the residence halls. The Humboldt Orientation Program (HOP), for new freshmen and family members, is Wednesday, August 19 through Friday, August 21. You can help make this a positive experience. These days provide wonderful opportunities to meet our new students and their families and to help our new students begin a successful transition to college life. When you see them, please say hello and offer to answer their questions. If you have an HSU name tag, please wear it so that newcomers can identify you or wear your HSU spirit gear if appropriate. You can also join others on campus who are planning to decorate office doors.

Also next week, on Tuesday, August 18, is the Institute for Student Success. Personally, I am sorry that I will need to attend a CSU Council of Presidents in Long Beach, as I was particularly interested in the keynote by Dr. Lori Patton about campus culture centers. More information is at www.humboldt.edu/institute.

On Friday, August 21, our second annual HSU Family Picnic will be held on the Events Field from 4 to 6 p.m. Dining Services will be putting on a barbecue, there will be live music by For Folk Sake, and the family-friendly entertainment will include a bounce house, photo booth, and more. Please bring your family and join in the fun.

We all have busy and exciting weeks ahead of us. Thank you for all you do for Humboldt State and our students, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

With best wishes,

Lisa A. Rossbacher, Ph.D.
President