As students headed to their classrooms Monday during the first full week of the fall semester, they set a CSUF record for the number registered — 39,974. The official enrollment tally will be known after next month’s census.
The 1,950 students living on campus moved in Thursday and participated in orientation activities over the weekend. Meanwhile, commuters are being advised to allow for traffic slowdowns on nearby thoroughfares, where various road projects are underway.
Among the newcomers to campus are scores of faculty members, including CSUF graduates, such as Austin Nation, assistant professor of nursing; Rakeshkumar “Rakesh” Mahto, assistant professor of computer engineering; Michelle Ramos, assistant professor of child and adolescent studies; and Waleed Rashidi, assistant professor of communications, who all went on to earn doctorates and return to their alma mater. Half of the newcomers are women; 33 percent are Asian; 10 percent are Latino, and nine percent are African American.
Among returning faculty members are those who had coaching and consulting roles in the Summer Olympics, including two associate professors of kinesiology — Andrea Becker in men’s volleyball and Traci Statler in track and field.
New this fall is a minor in food studies, which is designed to provide students with knowledge of the social and cultural factors that influence food choices, individual and social understandings of the meanings of food and the sustainability of food systems. Such courses as “Global Cuisines,” “Reading Food in Literature” and “Nutrition and Disease” are among the offerings from disciplines in the sciences and the humanities. Anchored in the Liberal Studies Department, the new minor is being coordinated by April Bullock, professor of liberal studies and coordinator of the Environmental Studies Program.
Also this fall, the College of Education is welcoming the first group of students in the newly revised diversity emphasis offered to those pursuing a master’s degree in education with a concentration in elementary curriculum and instruction. The emphasis is designed to meet the needs of educators working in today’s culturally and linguistically diverse schools and communities. The program examines education and schooling with a focus on social justice. Among the faculty members involved, Sharon Chappell, associate professor of elementary and bilingual education, is leading a “Welcoming Schools” project to create safer elementary school climates by addressing bias-based bullying, gender inclusion and family diversity. She facilitated an institute for Orange County teachers in July.
On Sept. 8, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will celebrate the grand opening of its Student Success Center, from 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., including remarks by CSUF President Mildred García, on the steps of the Humanities-Social Sciences Building, near the entrance to the new center. Student Success centers and their teams are helping students stay on track to graduation. During her annual convocation address, García announced the latest gains made in the six-year graduation rate for freshmen, approaching a record 63 percent, and the four-year graduation rate for transfer students, which has climbed to 75 percent.
This semester, the Pollak Library is again offering expanded hours — staying open until midnight most days, except Fridays and holidays — in an environment replete with computer workstations, as well as books and periodicals.
As the race for the White House advances, student groups are collaborating to organize voter registration events, panel discussions and gatherings to watch the presidential candidate debates beginning in September.
CSUF’s annual “Concert Under the Stars,” returns Sept. 17 with “America’s Bandstand,” featuring a wide variety of music — the blues, big band, country, funk, gospel, jazz, pop and rock. Reservations for the outdoor concert are available online. Attendees are invited to bring blankets and chairs for free seating on the lawn or purchase seats at tables for the University’s signature fundraising event.
Other Events:
8/25-Titan Recreation, a program of Associated Students Inc., presents its fifth annual “Rec’d All Night” event from 7-11 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. Games, food, music, a DJ and photo booth fun with friends, await participants.
8/31–9/1-Discoverfest from 11 a.m. -1:30 p.m. on Titan Walk introduces students to University clubs and organizations that can enhance their college-going experience.
9/27-National Voter Registration Day noontime concert by Ceasefire Band and activities hosted by Housing and Residence Life will be offered at the Piazza in the student housing community.
10/20-A grand opening is planned to celebrate the soon-to-be completed expansion of the Titan Student Union.
Media Contacts:
Chi-Chung Keung, 657-278-8487, ckeung@fullerton.edu
Paula Selleck, 657-278-4856, pselleck@fullerton.edu