August 25, 2026

Welcome to the 408!

Welcome to the 408!

Celebrate the connection between SJSU and the heart of the city we call home. From Aug. 20 to Sept. 20, discover free and discounted events hosted by local businesses, artists, and community partners across downtown.

Read the Email Version of SpartanMessenger

Missed what all your colleagues got in their inboxes on Tuesday morning? See the email newsletter format of SpartanMessenger

Action Items

FERPA Notice

Annual FERPA Notice

Our annual Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act notice was sent to students. Take a minute to read it and refamiliarize yourself with federal policies all employees must uphold.

Construction and Parking Impacts news from FDO
 Affecting all campus

Parking Advisory

All of Aug. 2026

Ongoing work by the City of San José related to its Better Bikeways II street safety project on downtown streets will impact students and employee North Garage (65 N 10th St.) access at the start of the semester, plan ahead. Park at South Campus and take the free, frequent shuttle. South Campus permits for students and employees are now half the cost of Main Campus parking.

Meal Plan Special
 For all employees

Meal Plan Special

Purchase a Base Meal Plan with promo code STAFF to receive five bonus meal swipes and lock in a $12 per meal rate at the Dining Commons!

WiFi Certification from IT
 For all

IT Wifi Recertification

When reconnecting to eduroam on campus, you will be prompted to “accept” the WiFi certification on your device. This is needed to ensure SJSU’s security posture is maintained and all connected devices are securely connected to the internet.

Get IT help

Students boarding a VTA light rail tram
 For all

Your Best Commute Starts Here

The start of the semester doesn’t have to start with parking woes. Enjoy our new transportation options from the VTA SmartPass for employees, discounted (by half!) permits for South Garage and enhancements to shuttle frequency and live location tracking in the Spartan Safe app.

Get Spartan Safe

Semester Technology Preparation from IT
 For all employees

Be Tech Ready for Fall 2026

Start the semester with confidence. The SJSU ITS checklist highlights simple steps to help you be technology ready for Fall 2026.

Academic Senate
 For all employees

Apply for Senate Committees

Faculty and staff: apply for vacant Senate committee seats! Visit the Senate Committee Vacancies webpage for all the details.

CSU Buy
 For all employees

FinanceConnect: Important Policy Update

On Aug. 20, the CSU Chancellor’s Office turned off Level 5 auto-approvals in CSUBUY. Reach out with questions to financeconnect+csubuy@sjsu.edu or call 4-1558.

Curriculum Deadlines
 For faculty

Curriculum Deadlines/Trainings

Sept. 1 and Oct. 1, 2026

Sept. 1 deadline: Faculty Proposal submissions in Curriculog for fall ‘27 and Oct. 1 College approval for all curriculum proposals. Register for Zoom Training sessions on the Curriculum website.

Employee Affinity Groups Breakfast With the President

Employee Affinity Group Breakfast with the President

Sept. 2, 9-10:30 a.m.

Currently a member of an employee affinity group or interested in starting one? Come to our annual EAG Breakfast with the President on Wed., Sept. 2, 9-10:30 a.m. in Student Union Meeting Room 2AB.

Student Research Opportunities

Share Student Research Opportunities

Sept. 14, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seeking submissions for research, scholarship and creative opportunities: open positions, volunteer roles, projects, programs, and even calls for study participants.

MPP evals
 For MPPs

2025-2026 MPP Annual Evaluations

Due Sept. 15, 2026

For any process-related questions, we invite you to attend our open lab session Mon., Aug. 17 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  

AL$ Mixer
 For employees

Eat Lunch to Save Spartans $$

Sept. 16, 12-2 p.m.

RSVP to join Affordable Learning $olutions for a drop-in lunch to learn about ways to help our students save costs on class materials.

Faculty Cyber Awareness Training from the CSU
 For faculty

Cyber Awareness Training

Sept. 25, 2026

The webinar will explore today's most significant cyber threats facing Higher Ed, share practical strategies to manage interruptions, and discuss how faculty and staff can better prepare for future disruptions.

SJSURF Nominations
 For faculty

SJSURF's Call for Nominations

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). Deadline: Tue., Dec. 15, 2026.

Library Art Exhibition
 For all

Open Call for Exhibit Proposals in the DiNapoli Gallery

Elevate your vision by exhibiting at the DiNapoli Gallery in the King Library. Viewed by hundreds of visitors a day, submit your proposal to be seen! Learn more at library.sjsu.edu/dinapoli

What's New This Month

SAP Concur now live
 For all employees

SAP Concur is LIVE!

As of Aug. 1, SAP Concur is now the university's official system for travel, expense reimbursements, and Payment Card Expense (ProCard and/or Travel Card) management.

Concur toolkit

People and Culture
 FYI for all

People and Culture is Up and Running

Our new, unified division centers service of our employees and strives towards institutional excellence. People and Culture also handles matters related to Title IX.

New Campus Dining Options from Spartan Eats
 For all

New Dining Options

 Aug. 2026

New campus dining options are coming to the Student Union for students and employees this fall!

Explore Spartan Eats

Events and Announcements

Spartan Sprint
 For all

Introducing Spartan Sprint

Introducing Spartan Sprint: a focused, time-bound way to crowdfund at SJSU. Choose one of two Fall rounds to support your department or project. Click for more info and deadlines.

Ice Cream Social
 For staff and MPPs

Last Chance to RSVP for the Ice Cream Social

Aug. 27, 2-4 p.m.

This is your last chance to sign up to join the 2026 Staff Council Ice Cream Social this Thu., Aug. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tower Lawn South. All stateside and auxiliary staff and MPPs are invited! Join us for an afternoon of free treats and community!

Academic Senate
 For all

SJSU’s online Policy Library

This new Policy Library is a cloud-based platform that houses all current university policies, Presidential Directives (PDs), Senate Management Resolutions (SMRs) and Sense of the Senate Resolutions (SSs). 

Benefits Fair
 For benefits-eligible employees

Employee Benefits and Services

Sept. 17, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Next month’s Benefits Fair is Thu., Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All benefits-eligible faculty and staff are invited to attend, no RSVP needed. Explore your options and select and confirm your health benefits during Open Enrollment, Sept. 14 through Oct. 9. 

Flag Raising
 For all

Annual SJSU Flag Raising at City Hall

Sept. 1, 10 a.m.

Join us at the San Jose City Hall Plaza on Tuesday, September 1st 10AM for our annual San Jose State Flag Raising, which symbolizes the friendship between The City of San Jose and SJSU. 

University Scholar Series with Carol Reade
 For all

2026 University Scholar Series #1

Wed., Sept. 9, 12-1 p.m.

You are all invited to attend our first University Scholar Series this semester featuring professor Carol Reade to present "Managing Linguistic Diversity in Multinational Companies." 

RSVP

Art Exhibition
 Open to all

Pictorial Faculty Exhibit Open

The Natalie and James Thompson Art Gallery is pleased to present this periodic exhibition of recent works by current faculty members in Pictorial Art.

Benefits Fair
 For benefits-eligible employees only

2026 Benefits and Services Fair

Thu., Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2026 Employee Benefits and Services Fair is Thu., Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, featuring CalPERS providers, SJSU Benefits representatives, and campus and community vendors.

Students and a professor laughing
 FYI for faculty

Advising Locations Updated

Need to refer a student? Visit the Student Success Centers directory to find the correct Undergraduate Advising and Success advising location.

Center for Faculty Excellence and Teaching Innovation
 For faculty

ATI Syllabus Workshop

Haven't converted your syllabi to the Accessible Technology-approved format in Canvas yet? Join the experts in a hands-on, online workshop that will help you get it done!

AdobeSign launch
 For all

AdobeSign Phased Migration to Begin

ITS will transition SJSU from using DocuSign to AdobeSign for workflows, forms and processes. Further notice on this transition for the full campus to be announced soon. DocuSign will continue to be in operation until IT provides notice. Discussions with heavy DocuSign-using departments are underway.

Columbia Sportswear discounts
 For all employees

Columbia Employee Discounts

SJSU employees are invited to shop at the Richmond or Union City Columbia Sportswear Employee Store for their up to 60% off annual summer sales.

Hammer2 Art Gallery Exhibition
 Open to all

"Texturescapes" Now on Exhibition at the Hammer

Experience a rotating display featuring work from local artists and San José State University alumni at Hammer 2 Gallery's new show "Texturescapes"! Join us July 18 through Nov. 3. Open to all!

Student typing on a laptop while looking out a window at the library
 For faculty

Writing Center Support

Learn about the Writing Center's faculty services to help support your students, including in-class workshop requests, tours, generative AI resources, and course-embedded tutoring.

Zoom Web UI Simplification

Starting Aug. 12, 2026

The Zoom website now displays a simpler navigation.

SJSU Alumni Tailgate at USC

Sat., Aug. 29, 9-11 a.m., in L.A.

Join fellow San José State University alumni for a pregame celebration as we gather together before the Spartans take on the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Faculty and Staff Spotlight

Jessica Hernandez, College of Graduate Studies Data Analyst

In Memoriam: Jessica Hernandez

Jessica Hernandez was a data specialist for the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations office in the College of Graduate Studies who passed away this past month. Jessica leaves behind a legacy of being a gentle force, always patient and looking ahead with grace and resilience. San José State University recognizes her 25 years of service and commitment to our students. Our thoughts are with her and her family as her loss extends beyond the GAPE team, the college and our campus.

Michael Dao

Faculty Spotlight: Michael Dao

Director of the SJSU Human Rights Institute Michael Dao is interviewed on KCBS following the faculty and student researchers’ release of the annual Silicon Valley Pain Index.

AAD Staff

Staff Spotlight: Academic Affairs Team and Student Staff

A heartfelt thank you to our Academic Affairs team and our incredible student staff for helping make New Spartan Convocation such a memorable celebration. Your hard work, energy, and dedication created a warm and welcoming experience as we kicked off an exciting new chapter for our Spartan community.

SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories

NVIDIA Engineering Students

A Simple Survey, An Unexpected Gift: How SJSU’s Collaboration with NVIDIA Created an Opportunity for Engineering Students

What began as a routine survey about laptop use turned into an unforgettable surprise for three San José State University engineering students.

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Research Challenges the Narrative

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories researchers’ response to a company’s own findings on a critical battery facility fire in Monterey County challenges the narrative on what went wrong and builds on community calls for accountability by area residents.

Downtown Farmers Market
Weds., 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Explore the Farmers Market

Take a midweek break and swing by the Downtown Farmers’ Market! Every Wednesday, stroll through stalls filled with fresh produce, locally made packaged goods, and delicious hot meals prepared by local food vendors. It’s the perfect way to support small businesses and connect with your community.