September 29, 2026
Next week, Oct. 5-10, celebrate and showcase your best Spartan spirit at Homecoming! This year’s theme Feel the Beat, Bring the Heat starts with the door decorating competition on Mon. and the return of the beloved Golf Cart Parade on Thu.. Experience the fun all week long!
Action Items
Due: Oct., 16, 2026
October Rally applications just closed. November Surge is your last shot to crowdfund this year. Open to all academic departments, student clubs and staff groups to fundraise with official university support. Apply by Fri., Oct. 16.
SpartanMessenger Feedback Survey
After one year in circulation, UMC wants to hear your thoughts on SpartanMessenger. All readers, especially communicators, event specialists and department leaders are encouraged to share insights.
Staff Council meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday of each month, from 3:30-4:30pm via Zoom. Dates are subject to change; check the Staff Council calendar for details.
Due. Oct. 18, 2026
Let the California State University know your thoughts on the system’s approach to the use of artificial intelligence in curriculum and employee work. Share your insights and shape our university.
Thu., Oct. 29, 9 a.m.
Mark your calendar for the fall 2026 Budget Town Hall on Thu., Oct. 29, 9 to 11 a.m. in the Student Union Theater. Join us in-person for important budget updates.
Apply for Senate Committee Seat
Faculty and staff: apply for vacant Senate committee seats! Visit the Senate Committee Vacancies webpage for all the details.
Thu., Oct. 15, 3 p.m.
Close out Hispanic Heritage Month on Thu., Oct. 15 at 3 p.m., for coffee, pan dulce and conversation with President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. Everyone is welcome to attend!
AI Initiatives Academic Affairs Update
For all faculty and staff, updates on the latest initiatives on artificial intelligence, from the division of Academic Affairs
Curriculum Deadlines and Training
Thurs., Oct. 1
The deadline for College approval for all curriculum proposals is Thurs., Oct. 1. Register for Zoom Trainings on Curriculum Website.
Adobe Sign Launching This Week
Oct. 1
This platform, available campuswide this week, replaces DocuSign, which will continue to be available until Apr. 2027. View the campus message in your email from Information Technology Services releasing later this morning for everything you need to know and do.
Save the Date: Making WASC Meaningful
Oct. 14 2-3:30 p.m.
Join the SJSU Accreditation team in a community roundtable discussion on WASC Standard 3: Assuring Resources and Organizational Structures on Wed., Oct. 14, 2-3:30 p.m. in King Library room 225. Registration details coming soon.
Due: Dec. 15, 2026
Recognize outstanding research and impactful industry collaboration by submitting your nominations for the 2026 Early Career Investigator Awards (ECIA) and the Industry-Sponsored Research Award (ISRA) now through Tue., Dec. 15, 2026.
Events and Announcements
Celebrating Spartans: Honoring Faculty and Staff
Nominations are now open for faculty (nominate here) and staff recognition (view announcement) at the Celebrating Spartans: Honoring Faculty and Staff awards celebration scheduled for Thu., Apr. 15, 2027. Faculty nominations are due Oct. 26 and staff nominations are due Nov. 13.
Oct. 2026
Join October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities, including contests, prizes, guest speakers, and SpartHill Hacks for cyberstrong Spartans across campus.
University Scholar Series - Erin Woodhead
Wed., Oct. 21, 12–1 p.m.
This talk will explore recent trends in substance use and substance use disorders among older adults, with a focus on factors that are unique to this population and may contribute to increasing rates of use among this group.
Peer Connections partners with instructors to offer Tutors, Mentors, Learning Assistants, and Supplemental Instruction Leaders. Applications for Spring 2027 due October 12th.
Visit the SJSU Concur Toolkit for quick answers and step-by-step guidance. Search by topic, phrase, or FAQ.
Enroll in Voluntary Life Insurance
Thurs., Sept. 24, 12 - 1 p.m.
California State University is excited to announce that The Standard will offer a one-time special enrollment opportunity for Voluntary Life Insurance for you and your spouse or registered domestic partner.
Tues., Sept. 29
Demetri Broxton is an Oakland-based mixed-media artist of Louisiana Creole and Filipino heritage whose work explores ancestry, spirituality, and cultural memory through archival photography, textiles, beadwork, and embellishment.
Mon., Oct. 5
Feel the Beat, Bring the Heat is taking over SJSU! We are seeking departments across campus that are turning up the energy and transforming their office doors into electrifying Spartan showcases brimming with school spirit.
Tues., Oct. 6, 7:30pm
The SJSU Latin Jazz Ensemble will feature a performance of Afro-Latin jazz and popular music repertoires of the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The SJSU Latin Jazz Ensemble is under the direction of Professor Jeff Lewis.
Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2026
Join us in celebrating Latinx Heritage Month (federally recognized as National Hispanic Heritage Month) now until Thurs., Oct. 15 as we honor the histories, cultures, experiences and contributions of Latinx people.
Catch up on all the goings-on with San José State Intercollegiate Athletics.
Virtual Mental Health First Aid Training
Join over 1,500 CSU faculty who have become certified in Mental Health First Aid. Learn to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
Volunteer at Fire on the Fountain
Thu., Oct. 8, all day.
Volunteer at our 20th Fire on the Fountain on Thu., Oct. 8. Volunteer opportunities are available to interested employees throughout the day!
Hammer Presents National Geographic Live: CHASING MONARCHS
Oct. 8 - 9, 2026
Fifty years after the startling discovery that monarch butterflies spend winters in the forests of Mexico, photographer and National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo reveals this winged wonder of the insect world in new ways with never-before-seen visuals.
2026 Homecoming Alumni Tailgate
Oct., 9, 4pm
Join us before the game to mix and mingle with fellow SJSU Alumni and students. We welcome all classes back to campus to cheer on the Spartans as they take on Wyoming! Registration is required to attend and includes food and one drink ticket.
Save the Date: Fall 2026 What’s Up Presentation
Fri., Oct. 16, 9:30 a.m.
Mark your calendars! The fall 2026 What’s Up Presentation is taking place on Fri., Oct. 16 Friday, 9:30 a.m. on Zoom. Connect with Finance and Business Services (FABS) staff on the latest updates and to align on what’s ahead.
Transition to Retirement Webinar
Oct. 27 3 - 4 p.m
If you are wondering what steps are involved in preparing for retirement, join us for an information session hosted by the Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA).
Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Cassandra Paul
A study co-authored by Cassandra Paul and colleagues shows that students from different demographic groups leave test questions blank at different rates, leading to grade inequities. The findings suggest these uncollected responses stem from course-level factors rather than student performance and offer suggestions for faculty to minimize this bias.
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Tijan White
Dr. Tijan White, Director of the Educational Opportunity Program, takes us behind the scenes as he leads the EOP Town Hall and connects with the community over ice cream.
SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories
San José State received $5,500 grants through the CSU Pregnant and Parenting Students Initiative (PPSI) to launch innovative projects that strengthen belonging, expand access to resources and help student parents persist to graduation.
All employees (faculty, staff, auxiliary) are invited to enjoy all-you-care-to-enjoy dining every Friday of the academic year at the Dining Commons. Walk in at $11.45 (plus tax) per entry, every Friday of the academic year and bring your coworkers!
