Welcome to Spring 2026!
January 29, 2026
Dear Campus Community,
As the semester starts, I wanted to take a moment to welcome all to Spring 2026. I offer a particularly warm welcome to our new students. Spring semester is always special on campus as students and colleagues work toward the many culminating and academic activities that lead to Commencement. It is wonderful to see all back on campus!
I write this knowing that many in our community are deeply anxious and angry as we watch horrific violence abroad and in the U.S. This violence lands particularly painfully here given our rich and proud history of activism. There is also great concern about academic freedom and the safety of members of our community. Please know that there are resources available for students and employees seeking support, as well as guidance and information on what to do should federal agents be seen on campus. I encourage all to familiarize themselves with this information and be on the lookout for postcards that we will be distributing across campus summarizing key info. You can also learn more by watching this message from Associate Vice President of Campus Safety and Chief of Police Reggie Parson.
I had the pleasure of attending the annual University Retreat last week. As always, it was a pleasure to see so many colleagues. I am grateful to Academic Vice Chair Arezoo Islami and the planning committee for this year’s timely focus, “Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Each Other in Troubling Times.” The event opened with a performance by Kev Choice, assistant professor in the School of Music, focused in many ways on a celebration of our region with pieces on Oakland and references to the joys of being at SFSU. It was a very powerful way to start the semester.
The Retreat was an important reminder that amidst these “troubling times,” we are lucky to be at SF State—a welcoming and supportive intellectual community. I never take for granted what a privilege it is to serve here. I am deeply grateful for our location both in San Francisco and in California. The semester starts with some good news. Locally, the SF Board of Supervisors passed a resolution emphatically supporting academic freedom, echoing a sentiment that our state representatives have also made clear. On the federal level, the Trump administration dropped its appeal of a court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion which threatened federal funding to schools across the nation. We remain steadfast in our core commitments to inclusive excellence and to being an academic community where all are free to learn and work free from censorship.
There is also good budget news for the CSU. The Governor’s preliminary budget increases the state’s investment in the CSU for the first time in several years. Early details were shared at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting this week. I look forward to working with you all to advocate that the state legislature adopt this budget in May. While this doesn’t mitigate our own local enrollment and budget challenges, it is very welcome support. We will continue to work together to address our own budget deficit and ensure that we continue to thrive even as we adapt to being a midsize university. I encourage folks to attend the University Budget Committee meetings or review the website for more detailed information.
There is much to look forward to this semester. I wish everyone a good start, and thank you, as always, for everything that you do to make an SF State education exceptional.
Best,
Lynn Mahoney, Ph.D.
President