Participants in The Big Event will collect donations for the Lumberjacks Give Back Food Drive to support current and retired first responders as part of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Drop off your donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8 through 11 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza. You can find a list of approved donation items on the Jacks Get Involved Instagram.

For more information, email shelby.dewitt@sfasu.edu.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to join the SHIELD safety collaboration team for a two-hour safety training at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Theater.

This session covers topics ranging from preventing risks and responding to incidents to educating and empowering the SFA community. The Student Activities Association will provide popcorn.

Participants will meet SHIELD team members from the Nacogdoches Police Department and the following SFA entities: University Police Department; Emergency Management; Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department; SFA Help Desk; and Office of Title IX.

Faculty members are invited to discuss topics impacting faculty welfare, academic affairs and policy at Faculty Forum meetings from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in McGee Business Building, Room 133, or via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 925 4007 1340

Passcode: FORUM

The first meeting of the fall semester is Wednesday, Sept. 9. The remaining meeting dates are Oct.14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9.

Faculty and advising staff are asked to inform students about an interest meeting on the new “Human Rights South Africa” study abroad Maymester course open to all majors. The meeting is at noon Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Ferguson Building, Room 292.

Students can ask questions of the course instructors, Dr. George Day, associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Roslyn Fraser, associate professor of sociology. The course offers upper-level credit in either criminal justice or sociology at SFA.

Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to the Office of International Programs’ global gateway presentation on Romania at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in Steen Library, Room 103.

Global Gateway presentations are hosted by SFA international students to help faculty, staff and students explore the culture, traditions and people of a country while connecting with members of the SFA community.

Research and Graduate Studies will launch Dissemity, an AI-powered academic writing platform designed to help researchers, graduate students and scholars write with clarity and confidence, at the Dissemity Kickoff from 1 to 2 p.m., Sept. 15, via Zoom.

All graduate students and faculty members are welcome to join the meeting. Register using the interest form.

Through interactive learning modules, intelligent feedback tools and discipline-specific writing support, Dissemity makes the scientific writing process a more efficient, structured and publishable experience. To learn more, visit the Dissemity webpage.

Faculty, staff and students are required to complete training before operating a motorized utility vehicle on campus. This includes electric-, gasoline- and diesel-powered golf carts; Mules; Gators; and similar utility vehicles.

Access the training following these steps:

1. Visit sfasu.edu/safety and select “MUV Training” under the “Emergency Resources & Quick Links” section on the homepage.

2. Read the entire page carefully, including all safety requirements for operating MUVs on campus. Pay special attention to Section X, "Compliance," which outlines the consequences of noncompliance.

3. Complete the highlighted section at the end of the training and select “Next Page.”

4. Fill out all required fields on the next page and click “Submit.”

Upon completion, your training will be recorded by the Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department. An official MUV driver card, valid for three years, will be issued within three to five business days. Until you receive your card, carry a printed copy of your training acknowledgment while operating MUVs on campus as proof that you have completed the required training.

For more information, contact EHSRM at ext. 4514 or safety@sfasu.edu.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to tell students about a new research project exploring whether a brief, guided 20-minute walk in nature can help students reset, recharge and feel more restored.

Students who would like to participate in the study should check in between sunrise and sunset at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building in the Pineywoods Native Plant Center at 2900 Raguet St. Participants will follow the designated campus trail featuring engaging prompts and complete a post-walk survey. Their feedback will help researchers explore the potential of simple, accessible nature-based experiences to support student well-being.

The study, “Walking It Off: Evaluating the Restorative Impact of a Campus ‘Power Trail’ on Student Well-Being,” will be conducted through Dec. 15. For more information, email Dr. Sarah Straub at straubsm@sfasu.edu or Dr. Lauren Brewer at brewerle@sfasu.edu.

Degree Works, SFA’s new degree audit and academic planning tool, officially launched yesterday. It provides students and advisors with a centralized way to view degree progress, identify outstanding requirements and support academic planning.

Students who are following the 2025-26 and 2026-27 catalogs can use Degree Works to view their degree requirements and monitor their progress toward completion.

Students who are following an older academic catalog may have the option to move to a newer catalog. These students should consult with their academic advisors when deciding whether to change catalogs because that change may affect the students’ degree requirements and path to graduation.

As with any new system, we will continue to monitor Degree Works and address any issues identified. If students encounter an issue or believe information in their Degree Works record may be incorrect, email degreeworks@sfasu.edu.

To access the system, explore its features and watch video tutorials designed to help you get started, visit the Degree Works webpage.

The Center for Teaching and Learning, Employee Wellness and Counseling Services will host “Thrive: A Practical Framework for Sustainable Well-Being” for any faculty or staff interested in self-care, work-life balance and sustainable well-being. This initiative runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, in Steen Library, Room 219.

To stay informed about upcoming meetings, resources and readings, fill out the interest form.

Students from area schools and families from the community are invited to the 2026-27 Children’s Performing Arts Series hosted by SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts.