Provost's Message - July 22, 2021

Message From Provost Scissum Gunn

 

Dear Campus Community,

It has been only three weeks since I began, but I feel like a member of the Beach community. This is because all at CSULB have welcomed me so graciously - thank you! Because of this warm reception, I continue to become more excited and hopeful about the direction CSULB is headed. We have limitless possibilities beyond the horizon.

In the coming month, many of you will be returning to campus after what feels like a lifetime. All this change in the midst of social upheavals, a shifting higher education landscape and competing priorities, has most feeling uncertain. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed – I get it. But as we turn the corner, I remain confident that we will continue to see more of our community returning normal. At this point, we are optimistic that by Fall 2021, our student experience will be closer to “normal” with 50% of classes face to face or hybrid with the rest remaining virtual.

As we continue looking forward, be on the lookout for more staff and faculty engagement with campus initiatives and task forces. We need your input and perspective as we dive into Beach 2030 implementation and an enlarged conversation around equity and diversity.

I will also embark on several listening tours around campus. This first part of my tenure will be to hear from our community and understand the needs of you and your constituents. This collective perspective will help shape and mold Academic Affairs to elevate the work we are doing.

I invite you to this year’s in-person Convocation. I am thrilled that it will be in person! For those that want to enjoy it from home, we will also be live streaming the event as well. President Conoley and I will cast a vision of where our campus is headed. Don’t miss out!

If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that there is always room for hope. It has the power to alter our perspective and center us back to our mission. I know for me it reminds me that our efforts will benefit our students and that is something to be grateful for! To all the hard-working faculty and staff – thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and endurance.

With gratitude,

Karyn Scissum Gunn Ph.D.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

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News and Updates:

• President Jane Close Conoley and Provost Karyn Scissum Gunn cordially invite you to:

  2021 Annual Convocation
  Carpenter Center
  Friday, August 20
  9 to 10:30 a.m.

  Please RSVP to convocation@csulb.edu by August 13 if you plan to attend in person. Masks required inside event. The event will be live streamed and recorded. Learn more here. 

• Update on Allocation for CRRSAA (HEERF II & III): Academic Affairs is approved for HEERF II and III funding. This support covers technology for university-wide classrooms led by ATS, professional development, academic-unit support, and college-specific support, and lost revenue. Learn more about this funding here.

• Academic Technology Services Updates: 

• • ​Summer Faculty Development: For Summer 2021, ATS is offering a comprehensive series of Faculty development programs. Learn more here. 
  • CSU Chancellor’s Office Workshops: Participate in free professional development from the CSU Chancellor’s office. Learn more here.
  • Summer ATS Events and Workshops: From pedagogy to software, register for one of ATS's events or workshops, coming soon. Learn more here.

• The Grunion Gazette: Graduates a Study in Resilience 

 

Reminders

• The CSU has extended two provisions on Voluntary Reductions in Time Base Request for Full Time Faculty (VRTB) and Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time Base (PRTB). Request by faculty to participate in these two programs are subject to the approval of the campus. Learn more about leaves available for faculty members here. 

• Faculty, do you want help with your research or scholarly activities? Join the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Find students to serve as research assistants and support you in your research, scholarly and creative work. Learn more here.

• Know someone interested in joining the Beach or CSU family? Check out these opportunities across campus at the Jobs @ The Beach site, or the CSU Careers

 

Academic Affairs Accolades and In the News

• Karyn Scissum Gunn - Cal State Long Beach announces new provost and senior VP — The Long Beach Post

• CSULB Partners With City on Guaranteed Income Pilot Program — KPCC

• Is a Graduate Degree Worth the Debt? Check It Here — The Wall Street Journal 

• Seiji Steimetz - Long Beach is Southern California launchpad for spaceflight — Press-Telegram

• Seiji Steimetz - CSULB Professor Comments On Increase In Space Companies In Long Beach — KNX 1070 

• Long Beach State’s Gerald Locklin, Bukowski’s drinking pal, left a lasting mark on writing — and writers — Los Angeles Times

• Chris Lowe - Young Boy Scouts camper bitten by shark while kayaking at Catalina Island, airlifted to hospital — ABC 7 News

• Ben Hagedorn - Cal State Long Beach Researchers To Study How Rising Sea Levels Could Affect Our Groundwater — LAist

• Jake Alimahomed-Wilson - Teamsters’ push to organize Amazon: Will it work? — Los Angeles Times

• Kristina Lovato - The US must adopt child welfare strategies for unaccompanied minors — The Hill

• Steven Jensen - FEMA Rejected 95% Of Aid Applicants During California's Last Wildfire Disaster. Why? — NPR

• Chris Lowe - CSULB Scientist Shares Findings from Tagging Baby Sharks in SoCal Beaches — KNX 1070

 

Grants and Gifts