EMSS Team Members:

I hope you all had a wonderful fall break – we are in the crush running up to winter break, and I am hopeful we all can take a few minutes to breathe and find joy in the season. I want to share more about happenings across our division and the campus:

Holiday Sweater Party

Don’t forget our Division Holiday Sweater Party! The date/time changed a couple of times due to scheduling conflicts, but come next Wednesday and show off your most creative holiday sweater—ugly, homemade, light-up, or delightfully over-the-top—for a chance to win our 2025 Ugly Sweater Contest. Enjoy decorating cookies, sipping hot cocoa, and spending time with your division colleagues as we celebrate the season together. You’ll also get to check out the next Kick-Axe nominees while you mingle!

Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall.

Please confirm your attendance by accepting the calendar invite - if you have any questions or need accommodations, contact Natalie Raquel. We can’t wait to see your festive sweaters and holiday spirit! Light refreshments provided.

Student Affairs & Administrative Support Team (SAAS)

Have you attended a monthly SAAS meeting yet?  This is a group where information is exchanged between divisions/departments across campus. Stay informed on what's new and what's happening. Recent topics have been AP/Procurement & Concur updates, HR updates, CES presentations, Admissions presentations, and Enterprise Services Presentations, etc. We are always seeking guest speakers who care to share what's happening in their area. The next SAAS meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 17.  Meetings are via Zoom and in person, all are welcome.

If you would like to be added to the SAAS Group or are interested in being a special guest, please reach out to Natalie Raquel Acuña, and you will be added to the group.

Events

Late Night Breakfast will be held Mon., Dec. 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the J.

Grad School Resources ($$) and Info Session: Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., LIB Scholar's Lab (3rd Floor); in this presentation, students will learn tips and tricks for improving their graduate school portfolio (i.e. resumes, CV's, personal statements and more). Followed by an overview of funding for professional development, search, and study efforts, such as the CA Doctoral Incentive Program, California Pre-Doctoral Program, and more. Student Registration Link

New Hires and Position Changes

Please join me in welcoming Maia Read and Uri Lopez to the Housing & Residence Life Team as our newest Residence Life coordinators.

Let’s also welcome Rose Francia to the Career Development Center team as our new Advisor and Operations Coordinator. Rose will provide Career Advising to the College of Professional Studies, support employer engagement efforts, and more!

Dining and Bookstore News

Spring Meal Plans Now Available: Spring meal plans are available for purchase! Keep your semester running smoothly with the convenience of on-campus dining and the savings that come with a flexible meal plan. We have plans designed to fit your routine and help you finish the year strong.

Reusables, OZZI & Local Sourcing: We continue to reduce single-use waste through OZZI reusable to-go containers available at The J, The Depot, and College Creek Marketplace. Most dining operations are Green Restaurant Certified, and we proudly source fresh produce and eggs from Harvest Hub to support local agriculture and bring more sustainable ingredients to campus.

Bonus Tip: Bring Your Own Mug & Earn Rewards: Bring your own mug to any campus café and earn a digital stamp with each coffee purchase. Buy six coffees using your reusable cup, and your next coffee is free! Download the StampMe app today to start collecting rewards while helping reduce single-use waste.

Text 2 Chat Feedback: Tell us about your dining experience! Message us at 707.633.2338, and we will get back to you shortly. Feedback helps us improve your experience, so we thank you for sharing!

Campus Store Sales: Dec. 4 – 7: 20-30% Off Better Brands Sale, with 20% off Better Brands and         20% off drinkware.

Dec. 8 – 9: Wrap It Up Flash Sale, with 25% off clothing and gifts (Online Only); 50% off Hydro Flask - Black Color (In-store + Online)

Dec. 11 – 12: Free Shipping for orders over $29

Shop Humboldt and Support Local Businesses: Download the free app and join the Shop Humboldt passport challenge. Earn points, unlock badges, enter to win local prizes. https://www.humboldtmade.com/shop-humboldt

Accolades

Thank you to our wonderful Dining and Residence Life teams for helping make the Housing Fall Dinner event for student remaining on campus over Fall Break a success last week. A total of 44 attendees joined us for delicious food. Students gave positive feedback, and everything was well-received. People seemed to love the ham especially. We ran out of takeout boxes, which is a sign of a positive experience. Students mingled with one another and staff, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. We had a movie playing in the background, which made things feel extra cozy. Setup went smoothly, and the event ran without any issues — major shoutout to our student staff and Dining folks, who played a crucial role in its success. Overall, everyone had a genuinely good time, and the event was successful in building connections and offering support to students staying on campus over the break.

We will have one more division communication on Dec. 19 (fall commencement day) before winter break – please send any items for inclusion my way! Until then, keep doing the good work you each do each day, with an unerring focus on supporting our students.

Take care of yourselves and each other,