Provost Communication, Thursday, April 23, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

This time of the academic year has most of us feeling the pressure to hurry up and wind down. As we prepare for finals week and Spring Commencement, I hope you can take a moment to slow down, step outside, and enjoy the beauty of spring (please join me if you happen to see me sitting on a bench eating, or walking around - I will love to visit for a few moments!).

Spring Commencement is Saturday, May 16, 2026: Staff and Faculty Support is Needed!

With commencement just around the corner, preparations are well underway. I want to extend my appreciation to the planning team, led by the Office of Alumni Relations in University Advancement, for their thoughtful coordination of this important milestone.

To ensure a seamless and celebratory experience for our graduates and their families, we are still seeking the support of approximately 100 staff and faculty volunteers. Commencement is a collective effort, and your participation plays a vital role in creating a meaningful and joyful day for our students.

If you have not yet signed up to assist in staffing during one or more ceremonies, I encourage you to do so here: Spring 2026 Commencement: Staff Support Interest and Availability. 

If you are faculty or staff interested in joining the processional, please register using this form: Faculty/Staff Processional Registration. 

Thank you for helping make Commencement a memorable and affirming celebration for our students and the important people in their lives.

Well done, Center for Translation & Interpretation (CTI)! 

Agustín Amaro and Erisan Villafana Torres of the campus CTI have spent this academic year working with and mentoring students to translate into Spanish the Fact Sheets for every major program across campus, and those Fact Sheets were delivered to programs tabling at April's Spring Preview. Thank you, Agustín and Erisan, for leading this effort to increase accessibility to program information, and to provide students with applied, professional opportunities to practice and demonstrate their learning!

If your program has not received its translated Fact Sheet, please contact Sara.Hart@humboldt.edu.

Join us for Assessitivus: Monday, April 27, 2026

Please join us for Assesstivus on Monday, April 27th, from 3 to 7 pm at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka (901 Myrtle Ave). Assesstivus is a lighthearted celebration of assessment work, bringing together colleagues from Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods to share best assessment practices, strengthen connections, and recognize the dedication behind continuous improvement. Through engaging presentations, awards, swag giveaways, and good food and conversation, Assesstivus reminds us that reflection and improvement are not just necessary but also worth celebrating.

Please RSVP (click here!).

Itinerary: 

• 3:00 Food and drinks

• 3:30 Presentations, awards, and prizes

• 5:00 Keynote Speaker: Jillian Kinzie, Associate Director, National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

• 6:30 More food and drinks

Testing Center Insights: Finals Week

To make the most of the Testing Center’s limited seating during Finals Week, exam start times are scheduled as follows:

• 1.5x time: 8:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm

• 2.0x time: 8:00 am, 12:30 pm

Please note that seating is limited; the Testing Center is currently at or near capacity for Monday (5/11), Tuesday (5/12), and Wednesday (5/13). The student deadline for scheduling finals is Friday (4/24). 

Accessibility Note: To ensure students with approved accommodations have equitable access during Finals Week, some may need to schedule exams at alternate times or dates due to Testing Center capacity. We kindly ask instructors to remain flexible in supporting these arrangements.

If you have any questions, please contact testing@humboldt.edu.

Sincerely, 

Shawna Young