Resolved, that the Faculty Senate of Stephen F. Austin State University approves the following statement:

Based on the information we currently have, the SFA Faculty Senate is deeply concerned about the September 14 incident where campus police, responding to a false report, entered a sleeping SFA student’s dorm room at 3:00 AM and questioned her.

We share the concern expressed by many others that it took several days for the President and Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities to be informed about the incident.

Many details of the incident are still not publicly known as the investigation is still ongoing. Faculty members at SFA have a deep care and concern for our students, and we know that students cannot be expected to learn if they do not feel safe on campus. SFA serves a diverse student population. Regardless of the specific findings eventually reached in this case, we are committed to an environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We need to continue to dialogue with our students of color and listen to their concerns and needs.

We, the Faculty Senate, call for a swift and thorough investigation into this incident and for appropriate actions to be taken against anyone found to have endangered the welfare of our students. We support President Gordon’s decision to bring in an independent outside investigator to determine how to prevent such a situation from occurring again.

The next SFA Faculty and Staff Breakfast is set for 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center dining hall.

For a discounted price of $3, SFA faculty and staff are invited to enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast while catching up with colleagues and making new campus contacts. Help spread the word about this event, and invite your SFA colleagues to join you.

The monthly Faculty and Staff Breakfast is brought to you by the SFA Social Events Team in the spirit of our “SFA Envisioned” strategic plan, which includes fostering a culture of engagement within our campus community.

To stay informed about future breakfasts and other SFA social events, “like” the SFA Faculty/Staff Lounge Facebook page.

SFA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community during its annual National Coming Out Day event Oct. 12.

“This event is designed to educate the community and promote the inclusion of all people in Nacogdoches County,” said La-Meria Seriale, OMA student ambassador.

OMA’s celebration this year involves activity stations that attendees can visit to receive information on the LGBTQIA+ community. The event also includes educational segments covering health issues, sexual orientation and the history of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The free, public event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Theater. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, those who wish to attend must preregister at sfasu.edu/oma as well as wear masks and practice social distancing during the event.

The Music Preparatory Division in the School of Music at SFA is once again offering the popular Kindermusik classes for young children starting at birth through 3 years of age.

Kindermusik is the world’s leading provider of music-based education for children. The program uses the power and joy of music-making to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Since 1978, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

“Every Kindermusik class is designed to help your children learn and develop physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially and musically,” according to Emily Ferrell, Kindermusik instructor. “You will be welcomed into a fun and nurturing environment where your child will experience music of varying genres and cultures while interacting with other children and engaging in movement, rhythm and vocal activities.

Visit sfamusicprep.com and kindermusik.com/studio/57695 to view class schedules and payment options.

Dog owners likely greeted their four-legged friends this morning with a gentle “I love you,” or in dog vernacular possibly “I wuv you, wittle buddy!” What you may not know is that canines understand the term of endearment, and it makes their hearts skip a beat.

A heart-warming study by Canine Cottage found that dogs' heart rates increased an average of 46.2% while being told, “I love you.” The study also found that snuggles have a calming effect and decrease dogs' resting heart rates by an average of 22.7%.

To read more, click here.