Read President Elson S. Floyd’s Perspectives column for details.

Toss your bright blue Week of Welcome T-shirt in the dryer and tumble out the wrinkles. Polish your “Ask Me” badge. Week of Welcome is drawing near.

Faculty, staff and student leaders who wear their Week of Welcome gear identify themselves to new and returning students as someone who can help. New students most often ask for directions—simply point them in the right direction. If you don’t know the answer to a question, direct the student to the Week of Welcome canopy near the library, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday, or to the Student Services Center.

If you don’t have a Week of Welcome T-shirt or badge, please RSVP and they will be sent to you before Aug. 19.

Make a special effort to be available during class breaks:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

• On the hour until 10 after the hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday

• 9 – 9:10 a.m.
• 10:25 – 10:35 a.m.
• 11:50 a.m. – 12 p .m.
• 1:15 – 1:25 p.m.
• 2:40 – 2:50 p.m.
• 4:05 – 4:15 p.m.

A coordinated plan to welcome new and current students enhances student satisfaction, retention and increases campus unity. Thanks for being a part of it.

Plan to celebrate Week of Welcome with a faculty/staff group photo at the multipurpose court at noon on Thursday, Aug. 22. Wear your T-shirt and bring your smile.

WSU Vancouver’s tobacco-free policy goes into effect Aug. 1. The university has a responsibility to its students and employees to provide a safe and healthful environment. The goal of the tobacco-free policy is to provide a healthy working and learning environment free from the detrimental effects of second-hand smoke.

The enforcement of the tobacco-free policy is the responsibility of Public Safety with the assistance of the WSU Vancouver community. To help our campus transition to the new tobacco-free policy, follow these tips if you see a staff or faculty member, student or visitor using tobacco on campus:

• Be polite and friendly
• Assume the person is not aware of our tobacco-free policy
• Explain tobacco use is not permitted on the WSU Vancouver campus
• Remind the person of links between tobacco use and health risks, and reiterate our goal of providing a healthful environment
• As a last result, notify Public Safety of any repeat offenders and/or disruptive behavior

Repeated notices of violation may result in the referral of students to the Office of Student Conduct. Similarly, employees who repeatedly violate the policy will be subject to corrective or disciplinary action. Other violators may be trespassed from the WSU Vancouver campus. 

The WSU Vancouver tobacco-free policy, cessation resources and FAQs are available online.

Fire alarm and sprinkler testing will take place in all buildings this week. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday – All building elevators, fire doors; Engineering and Computer Science building’s fire alarm and sprinklers
• Tuesday – Science and Engineering building’s fire alarm and sprinklers
• Wednesday – Undergraduate building’s fire alarm and sprinklers
• Thursday  –   McClaskey, Dengerink Administration, Classroom and Multimedia Classroom building’s sprinklers only; Student Services Center’s  admissions and financial aid fire alarm and sprinklers
• Friday – Library, Firstenburg Student Commons, Student Services Center and Clark College, Physical Plant and Facilities Operations building’s sprinklers only

The Café will be closed Monday, July 29 through Wednesday, Aug. 14. It will operate under summer hours, 7:30 a.m.  – 2 p.m., Aug. 15 – 16. Regular hours, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Friday, resume on the first day of fall classes, Aug. 19.

Staff/faculty parking permits are available for purchase online and in the Parking Services Office. Payroll deduction options are available. General sales begin Aug. 5.

WSU has partnered with American Student Assistance to provide $ALT, a program to help students become more financially literate. $ALT rewards students for making smart financial choices. In the process, WSU can increase retention rates and student loyalty, and promote alumni giving. 

Lyssa Thaden, campus engagement and education consultant from ASA, will present an orientation on the $ALT program at 10 a .m. Aug. 8. If your position/role on campus relates, you are invited to attend. RSVP to abril.hunt@vancouver.wsu.edu. You will receive a reminder one week prior to the event with details and venue information.

The July edition of IT Happens! is now available featuring information on the new “Lifecycle Computer Replacement Service.” Are you due for a new computer? Find out.