Provost Communication, Monday, August 31, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

I sincerely hope Week 1 of the semester commenced smoothly for you all. It has been a joy to see all the students across campus and feel the renewed energy they bring to our community. Thank you for all you have done to welcome them back and help us begin another academic year on such a positive note. 

Center for Teaching & Learning Lightning Talk & Roundtable Series Begins on Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Join the Center for Teaching & Learning for a three-part, one-hour fall series, beginning this Wednesday! Each 60-minute session offers a 20-minute conceptual "spark" followed by a 40-minute interactive roundtable. This series meets every other Wednesday leading up to the Center for Teaching & Learning Symposium. Sign up for just one, or all three!

The series will be held in the CTL "Glassroom" on the 3rd floor of the Library, on Wednesday September, 2, September 16, and September 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. Each session will be facilitated by Dr. Michelle Cartier, CTL Scholar. 

• Session 1: Generational Shifts & Transparent Dynamics
  Who actually are our students? How can we collectively enhance authenticity in the classroom? Navigating generational ethics, student autonomy, and low-anxiety classroom environments.

• Session 2: The Spark, Agency, and Authentic Engagement
  “When they’re enjoying it… they’re not outsourcing it.”
  "Grazing" as a pathway to non-outsourced joy; collaborative strategies for ‘punching up’ student agency and voice.

• Session 3: Critical AI & Preserving the Human Narrative
  From "Equity Partner" to Collaborative Auditor: What does that mean? Is it possible? And do we even want that? Exploring authenticity, assignment design, and preserving human narrative in AI-assisted environments.

Please use the following link to register for one, two, or three sessions: CTL Lightning Talk & Roundtable Series

Library Welcome Back Open House: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m.

I hope to see you this Thursday, September 3 for the Library Welcome Back Open House. The open house will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Library Nordstrom Lobby. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our librarians and library staff, as well as colleagues from partner departments housed in the Library, and to learn about the Library’s many services and programs. 

Join the Academic Affairs Kickball Team for College Colors Day on Thursday, October 1, 2026

College Colors Day is just around the corner! Wear your green and gold and join us for the festivities on Thursday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Upper Playing Field near the Redwood Bowl. This is a great opportunity to connect with students, staff, faculty, and families from across our Lumberjack community. This campus-wide celebration is open to all and will feature free food and music, face painting, field games, giveaways, and, of course, the annual kickball tournament! 

In preparation for the tournament, we are issuing an official call for kickball participants. Games will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. beginning Monday, September 28 through Wednesday, September 30, culminating in the College Colors Day Tournament from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 1.

If you would like to join the Academic Affairs team, or even better, serve as a captain, please complete the Google Form, linked here: Registration Form, by Tuesday, September 1, 2026. No experience is necessary—just your enthusiasm!

Wishing you all a successful Week 2!

Sincerely, 

Shawna