Researchers at Cal State San Marcos are seeking adults who are endurance-trained – currently participating in at least five hours a week of cardiovascular-based exercises like running or biking with limited resistance training (lifting weights). Participants cannot be using any form of cannabis products. You will participate in three visits to our laboratory in the Extended Learning Building over the course of about three weeks. You must be 21-45 years old, with a smartphone and in good health. For more information, please contact Weston Titus, Ph.D. candidate, at Weston.titus@autuni.ac.nz or Dr. Matt Schubert at mschubert@csusm.edu. This study is approved by the CSUSM Institutional Review Board (#2025371-1).

The Power of CSUSM brings us together to champion student success each day! Join us to recognize the exceptional faculty and staff who have positively impacted students and played a crucial part in this mission.  CSUSM Campus Heroes Celebration 2-3:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 USU Ballroom Light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Would you like to nominate a CSUSM campus hero? Do you have a story or photo to share about a CSUSM campus hero? Email heroes@csusm.edu by Friday, Oct. 6 with your nominations for individuals, initiatives or departments that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support student success. These submissions may be included in the CSUSM Campus Heroes Celebration.

Dear colleagues, Based on the recommendations of the search committee, I am excited to share that our university will soon welcome two candidates for the position of director of ACE Scholars Services. On behalf of the search committee, I invite you to attend the open forum sessions. Your attendance, questions and input are valued. Attendees may attend in person or virtually. Candidates will visit our campus on the following dates: Candidate A: Sept. 25, 3-3:50 p.m. at The Hub (ADM 2302) and via Zoom Candidate B: Sept. 26, 11-11:50 a.m. at The Hub (ADM 2302) and via Zoom Please visit www.csusm.edu/sa/saforums/index.html for additional information regarding candidates. Thank you in advance for your support. Sincerely, Norma Larios Assistant Vice President of Divisional Operations Division of Student Affairs

Pizza With the President Thursday, Sept. 14  Noon-12:50 p.m. USU 2310B  The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs invites you to join President Ellen J. Neufeldt for an informal meet-and-greet session on Thursday, Sept. 14. This time is designed to give students an opportunity to chat with the president in a more intimate setting on topics ranging from her own professional experiences to learning about students’ goals and aspirations. Lunch will be provided. Please register by Tuesday, Sept. 12. President Neufeldt looks forward to seeing you there! 

Looking for adults 18 to 25 who have used flower cannabis and nicotine vapes or cigarettes in the past 30 days to participate in three confidential research visits at CSUSM. Answer questions about demand for, use and effects of cannabis and nicotine. Compensation is up to $225 in cash or gift card. To learn more and see if you qualify, take this quick survey: https://csusm.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_enCJdxvVBvVjPng

Researchers at CSUSM are seeking adults (21-45 years old) who are endurance trained, participating in at least five hours a week of cardiovascular-based exercises like running or biking with limited resistance training (lifting weights). Participants cannot be using any form of cannabis products. You will participate in three visits to our laboratory in the Extended Learning Building over the course of about three weeks. You must be between 21 and 45 years old, with a smartphone and in good health. For more information, please contact Weston Titus, Ph.D. student candidate, at Weston.titus@autuni.ac.nz or Dr. Matt Schubert at mschubert@csusm.edu.

Did you know that there are three ways to check the working status of CSUSM’s 45 elevators and five wheelchair lifts? Facilities Development and Management tracks the working status of our elevators with an interactive map. You can sign up for email notifications, which automatically alert you when our elevators are taken out of service or returned to service. You can receive automatic notifications on your phone through the CSUSM app. To sign up, follow the following steps: From the app, go to “Maps” Click on “Elevator Status” Click on “Messages” in the upper-right corner Click on the “Opt In” button

Housing move-in days are scheduled for Aug. 24 (The QUAD) and Aug. 25 (UVA and North Commons) from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We look forward to welcoming more than 1,800 residents to campus. Please mark your calendars to be prepared for high traffic and congestion along North City Drive, East Barham Drive and Campus View Drive.  Residents will be directed to park in Parking Structure 1 on both days. The first two levels of Parking Structure 2 (behind North Commons) will not be available on Aug. 24-25. Parking Lot O will not be available on Aug. 25.

A faculty member in kinesiology is conducting a research study that offers free cardiac screening to women. This will require you to meet us in Academic Hall after a 4-6 hour fast. The study includes ECG, body composition, lipid levels through finger stick, submaximal fitness and a blood vessel ultrasound study. If you are interested, reach out to dfeairheller@csusm.edu. We are doing some testing this summer and will continue in the school year.

We are excited to announce the CSUSM Aspiring Scholars pilot program, an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) program for students with intellectual disabilities. It is a non-degree, four-year university program for students with intellectual disabilities seeking an inclusive college experience. Students participate in academic courses, vocational internships, independent living skills instruction and campuswide social activities with the goal of competitive integrated employment. They will learn and grow alongside their CSUSM peers, becoming an active part of the campus community. Upon completion, students will earn an academic and career studies higher education certificate. Individuals with intellectual disabilities who want an inclusive college experience, are seeking to gain meaningful competitive integrated employment, and meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Eligibility Requirements Is at least 18 years of age. Has a documented intellectual disability. Completed high school with a diploma or certificate by Aug. 1, 2023. Has a strong desire to gain employment after completion of the CSUSM Aspiring Scholars program and is striving toward independence. Is comfortable with a dynamic schedule and has intrinsic motivation to participate in all program components (academic instruction, vocational skills, independent living skills instruction, campus activities). Is able to complete daily needs, access their physical environment and safely function with minimal to no supervision. (Note: If a student has prearranged supports, indicate this on the application.) Is able to communicate needs effectively (inclusive of communication devices). Has the ability to get along with peers, follow rules and accept direction. Is able to effectively and appropriately participate in and benefit from the program.  Student applications are due Friday, June 16. For more information about the program and how to apply, please contact Dr. Rebecca Brooks at rbrooks@csusm.edu.

Free parking in lots X, Y and Z will not be returning. A paid parking session will be required while on campus, including lots X, Y and Z. For the summer only, a discounted monthly permit will be available. Purchase a Summer Monthly XYZ permit for $30, valid for 30 days from the date of purchase in X, Y and Z only. The permit will be on sale May 22 through July 31. Daily permits for $5 and three-hour permits for $3 will continue to be available.

Healthy men and women ages 18-50 are needed as subjects in exercise-based studies overseen by Dr. Todd A. Astorino in the kinesiology department. Studies require three sessions of exercise for a total time commitment of about two hours. Please email Dr. Astorino at astorino@csusm.edu for more information.

We are calling on friends, family and supporters from across the country to help us celebrate Dante’s “rebirthday” week by rolling up your sleeves (literally) and saving some lives.  Each year since Dante’s 2018 accident, we have celebrated the days from April 7 to April 13 as Dante’s “rebirthday” week, marking the days he fought through a coma to come back to us. Since his passing, celebrating Dante’s rebirthday has become a whole lot more bittersweet, but we will forever be grateful for the gift we got of nearly four more years with him thanks to the blood he received from blood donors like you. With your help, the Longo Strong Foundation is committed to paying this gift forward through the launch of our annual Dante Longo Rebirthday Blood Drive from April 7-13. When you donate blood in Dante’s name, you’re not only honoring his journey, but you’re also helping to ensure that others can have the same chance at life that he did.  We have expanded the options for donating so that it is even easier to fit “saving a life” into your busy schedule no matter where in the country you are. Our in-person drive will be held April 10 at Kellogg Plaza from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and our virtual drive will run from April 7-13 across the country. Thank you for helping us save lives!

During spring break this week, Campus Way Cafe is open Monday through Sunday, with brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner from 5-8 p.m. Starbucks, the USU Market and the campus bookstore are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

For the first time ever, the CSUSM women’s basketball team has reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division II tournament.   The No. 3-seeded Cougars are headed to the West Region final to play top-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills at Dominguez Hills tonight at 7.    Gear up in Cougar blue and show up in one of two ways:  1. Free fan bus and free tickets for the first 50 students! Click here to reserve your place.   The first 50 students who RSVP will get free admission to the game, free food and free CSUSM swag!    3:30 p.m. – Report to Campus Way Circle / USU first floor to load bus and depart to Dominguez Hills. 7 p.m. – Cheer on the women’s basketball team  (free food at the game). 11 p.m. – Return to CSUSM. 2. Watch party at the USU, starting at 6:45 p.m. in USU Meeting Room 2310. Enjoy the live action and free food while cheering on our women’s team to victory!

Are you interested in learning more about philanthropy and how it impacts students at CSUSM? Would you like to learn how the Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) raises funds for scholarships and programs that help students? Join the next SPC meeting, April 13 at U-hour, by emailing sbriner@csusm.edu.

CSUSM students, do you want to help the environment and promote campus wellness? The Tobacco, E-Cigarette and Cannabis Waste Randomized Trial is now scheduling participants. Students between the ages of 18 and 25 may be eligible to take part in a six-week intervention addressing tobacco and e-cigarette waste perceptions and behaviors. Participants will receive $25 each for three Zoom visits and $35 for a six-month follow-up, for up to $110 in compensation. Visits last 15-45 minutes and include watching brief educational videos, talking with a research assistant and completing surveys. Please visit https://redcap.link/TECWRCT-CSUSM to learn more and complete a brief survey to join the study. Email tecwrct@gmail.com for more information.

The Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence and the Department of Kinesiology invite any interested faculty, students and staff to attend a guest lecture on Friday, Feb. 17 from 2-3:30 p.m. in Markstein 106.  Dr. Nicholas Tiller will be presenting on “Science and Pseudoscience in Health and Wellness: Fake News, Fraud and Fitness Influencers.” Dr. Tiller is a senior researcher in the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Respiratory Medicine (Lundquist Institute) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Tiller has a broad research profile, contributing numerous peer-reviewed studies in cardiopulmonary function (specifically in chronic respiratory disease), respiratory mechanics and exercise limitation. Tiller is a leading authority in the physiology and pathophysiology of extreme exercise, a subject of personal interest in his capacity as an ultramarathon runner. He is an associate editor of the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. He is an advocate for skepticism and critical thinking in undergraduate and graduate STEM education.

Researchers from CSUSM and Auckland University of Technology are seeking active women to participate in a study to assess differences between circuit and traditional strength training. Women ages 18-40 who have at least six months of experience with resistance training, are free of musculoskeletal injury and not currently dieting or trying to lose weight are invited to participate. You will complete a 10-week training study with pre- and post-body composition and muscle strength testing. Doctoral student Sohee Lee is leading the study and can be contacted at soheeleeaut@gmail.com. The faculty sponsor for this project is Dr. Matt Schubert (mschubert@csusm.edu) of CSUSM's kinesiology department. This study has received ethical approval from the AUT and CSUSM human subjects review boards.

The ASI Cougar Pantry will be closed for winter break starting Dec. 15 and will be re-opening Jan. 23. We hope you have a wonderful winter break! Looking for food resources during the break? Text 211 for distributions near you.