EMSS Team Members:

Happy Friday, EMSS team, and welcome to the first EMSS Division Communication for the 25-26 academic year. We have driven quickly into one of our busiest times of the year, and I hope each one of you had some time this summer that allowed you to recharge and start this fall semester at least somewhat refreshed. Thanks for all the hard work that has gone into special activities over the past week, ranging from Move-in to Orientation and Welcome Week.

I want to share with you a few important updates from our division and the campus at large:

EMSS Fall Welcome

Though the tradition of the campus-wide Fall Welcome has returned – and it was phenomenal to see so many of you in Lumberjack Arena on Tuesday – I also heard from many of you that you have enjoyed our division get-togethers at the start of the school year. For this reason, we will host an EMSS Fall Welcome on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 9-11 a.m. in the Great Hall. More details and a calendar invite coming soon – expect some important updates related to personnel, an enrollment snapshot, and the introduction of some special recognition efforts.

Kickball Sign-ups

We’re gearing up for College Colors Day on Thursday, September 19, and our division kickball team—A Case of the Runs—still needs players! Right now, we don’t have enough players yet to field a team – and we have some division pride to protect as we wear our brown proudly! As you heard at Tuesday’s Welcome event, the VPs are already getting pretty competitive about the tournament – let’s make sure EMSS can not only take the field but show up and show out.

Whether you’re competitive, casual, or just in it for fun, we’d love to have you on the field with us. If you haven’t already, sign up here. Let’s bring the energy, the team spirit, and the mildly immature humor we know A Case of the Runs can spread to campus.

New Housing Celebrations

Cal Poly Humboldt has officially opened Hinarr Hu Moulik, the largest student housing project in the University’s history. Monday, our campus community had the opportunity to celebrate with an open house, as well as special tours throughout the building. Later today, the University is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by campus leadership, community partners, and elected officials, including California Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire.

Hinarr Hu Moulik (HHM), meaning “our house/home” in the Wiyot language, embodies the University’s commitment to affordability, sustainability, and inclusive student success. It is an essential part of our strategic enrollment management and student success efforts, allowing us to move strongly forward into our polytechnic transformation.

In addition to standard housing amenities, HHM also boasts an on-site dining facility, the new 101 Express café and marketplace. Special thanks to our Dining retail team, led by Kyle McEdwards and Matthew Richter, on launching the new 101 Express Cafe and marketplace over at the new Hinarr Hu Moulik housing complex. The 101 Express will be open also to the local community.

Dining and Bookstore News

Check out the newly designed Dine On Campus website for menus, hours, and dining information.

Order food and beverages on campus with our BOOST mobile app to save time in line.  Enjoy 20% off your first three orders with code WELCOMEBACK101. Search Boost Mobile Ordering in the app store.

Faculty and Staff Meal Plans for Fall Semester are available now. Visit Dine on Campus to explore meal plans, which are untaxed and save you on average $2-$5 per meal. Our most popular plan is the Block 35 Plan ($286) that includes 19 Meal Swipes into the J Dining Hall + 16 Meal Exchanges that can be used at all locations for a set meal or $9 payment value. We also have three different Starter Plans that include Meal Exchanges and Flex Dollars that work like debit on campus.

Accolades

Congratulations to Betsy Wilson, our Children's Center Director on her 20 years at Cal Poly Humboldt! Betsy started with us as an Instructional Support Assistant back in 2005. 

Congratulations to Wendy Sotomayor, Executive Director of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center, on her 30 years at Cal Poly Humboldt! Wendy began her career here in 1995 as an Accountant with the University Center.

Big thanks to our SAC/CES teams for opening the Kate Buchanan Room for campus events this year, and to CES for supporting our departments in coordinating numerous events this week to welcome students and the campus community as we kick off the new year.

New Hires/Position Changes

The Financial Aid Office welcomes its newest FA Advisor, Nonie Wallace!  Additionally, Miriam Miner is now our permanent Associate Director of Operations. Thanks to all the EMSS folks who assisted with these two searches!

Farewell and a heartfelt thank you to Admissions Director Aolany Navas, who is off to a new position in Georgia!  Admissions will be led in the interim by Matthew Taxman, Interim Director of Outreach & Recruitment, and by Chelsea Mooney, who adds Interim Director of Admissions Operations to her current duties in Strategic Student Communications.

Events

Part-Time Job Fair: Aug. 27 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the University Quad. The Career Development Center is hosting the Part-Time Job Fair with 35 employers registered. This is a wonderful opportunity to help our students access on and off campus jobs for the school year. Any encouragement to students to participate in this event helps. There will be a taco bar for participants to enjoy.

Unless interrupted by a holiday or other campus closure, the EMSS division communication will be emailed every other Friday during the academic year. I look forward to another year of excellence and service to students alongside each of you.

Take care of yourselves and each other,