Good morning and happy Monday. It’s hard to believe we are already at mid-semester. It feels like Fall 2023 is speedy and slogging along all at the same time. As the days get shorter, I know that the pressure of the semester mounts with class assignments, meetings with students and colleagues, committee tasks and so much more. Please know I am very grateful for your work. 

First Time Freshman (FTF) Retention Rates Are Up

Cal Poly Humboldt retention rates for first-time, full-time students rose to 75.3% this year as compared with 73.6% last year. This marks our highest first-year retention rate in the past ten years. While we still have some work to do to reach the current CSU system average which is at about 82% this is a positive sign. Expansion of our place-based learning communities, changes in the structure and scope of advising, and intentional work by faculty to address students facing learning challenges are just a few of the activities that are making a difference. Thank you. 

Great ShakeOut: Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:19 am

You know what October means…The Great ShakeOut - an opportunity to stop and take a moment to think about what we need to do during an earthquake. On Thursday, October 19, 2023, at exactly 10:19 am please take a moment to identify your location, and potential hazards you face, and think about where you are relative to tsunami zones. You are also invited to practice your drop, cover, and hold positions. Registering for ShakeOut also helps the participating agencies know who is working on their drills and where we need to direct resources. Register at https://www.shakeout.org/california/ and join us in the world's largest earthquake drill! The campus will also be hosting several events next week during Safety Week leading up to the drill. Please share with your students, faculty, and staff so we all can take the steps to be safe. This is especially important given the earthquakes we had this very morning!

Congratulations to Our Newest Emeritus Faculty, Administrators, and Staff

At our October 10, 2023 Cal Poly Humboldt University Senate meeting the body unanimously recommended the following faculty, staff, and administrators for Emeritus Status:

• Susan Brater, IRB Coordinator

• Marcy Burstiner, Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

• David Ellerd, Professor, School of Education

• Greg Granoff, Piano Technician, Department of Music

• Jeffrey B. Haag, Professor, Department of Mathematics and Chair of Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

• Thomas Mays, Professor, Department of History 

• Robin A. Meiggs, Women’s Rowing Head Coach, Lecturer, and Assistant Director of the Human Performance Laboratory

• Eugene Novotney, Professor, Department of Music

• Brain Post, Professor, Department of Music

• Anthony Rossi, Lecturer, Department of Geography

• Mary Smith, Coordinator/Accessibility Advisor, and Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and English

• Lourdes Triana, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics

• Sharon Tuttle, Professor and Chair of Computer Science

• Carol West, Lecturer and Head Teacher at the Child Development Laboratory

I am overwhelmed with gratitude when reviewing the incredible accomplishments of this group. There will be a reception honoring the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Emeritus Status awardees in May 2024 at the Septentrio Winery in Arcata. It will be co-sponsored by the Humboldt-Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association (ERFSA) and the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation. A special thanks to Marshelle Thobaben, Humboldt-ERFSA President for her leadership, and Jim Woglom, Lauren Lynch, and Patrick Malloy for their work.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Jenn Capps

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