Category Archives: News

News

U.S. Commerce Secretary Speaks at SJSU

U.S. Commerce Secretary Speaks at SJSU

President Mohammad Qayoumi, Secretary Rebecca Blank, SVLG President and CEO Carl Guardino and Overland Storage President and CEO Eric Kelly ’80 Business Administration (Robert Bain photo).

By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank came to San Jose State July 11 to formally announce plans to open a satellite U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Silicon Valley.

“This past winter, our Alexandria office had a special exhibit on the ground floor — 30 giant iPhones lined up side-by-side,” Blank said. “Each one featured one of the many patents that Steve Jobs received. As Steve said, ‘The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.’

“Today, those entrepreneurs, those innovators, and those dreamers – all of you – are the reason I’m so proud to say that the Commerce Department will soon put one of its first four satellite patent offices right here in Silicon Valley.”

In a panel discussion following the announcement, SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi emphasized how entrepreneurialism has become an integral part of higher education, where students no longer go to “get a job” but to “create your own.”

Qayoumi added San Jose State could assist the patent and trademark office with professional development and an internship program, noting SJSU is well positioned to deliver curriculum in new ways given its location in the “cradle of innovation.”

Silicon Valley Leadership Group President and CEO Carl Guardino moderated the panel, which also featured Secretary Blank, Overland Storage President and CEO Eric Kelly ’80 Business Administration, and OSIsoft LLC Founder and CEO Patrick Kennedy.

Keeping with the innovation theme, Secretary Blank’s next stop was just a few blocks from campus at the TechShop, a work space providing inventors all the tools they need to get started. The shop’s tagline? “Build Your Dreams Here.”

View Secretary Blank’s prepared remarks.

Introducing Flat Sammy!

Introducing Flat Sammy!

Introducing Flat Sammy!

By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director

Take a photo with Flat Sammy! All you need to do is download him, print him out, and snap a photo with him wherever you go. Send your photo to publicaffairs@sjsu.edu or tweet it using the #sjsu hashtag. We’ll share all the photos on the official SJSU Facebook page. To get this kick started, we’ll contribute 50 cents to the SJSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.For every photo we receive through Sunday, July 8. But we’ll continue collecting photos all summer.

Get everything you’ll need on our Flat Sammy website. Have fun and go Spartans!

SJSU Opens Soccer Field for Viewing Fireworks

SJSU Opens Soccer Field for Viewing July 4 Fireworks

Here's last year's show, courtesy of tq2cute on Flickr.

By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director

The San Jose Giants, Comcast, SJSU, the city of San Jose, United Site Services, Happy Hollow, History San Jose and Kelley Park are partnering for the San Jose Community 4th of July Celebration. The community is invited to watch fireworks following the San Jose Giants 6:30 p.m. July 4 game absolutely free on the SJSU Soccer Field next to Spartan Stadium or at Kelley Park. All viewing areas will open at 5 p.m. Due to the family nature of this event and state law, tailgating will be restricted from parking lots and no alcohol will be allowed. Parking for the fireworks viewing will be available starting at 3 p.m. for $10 per car at the SJSU East Field and 7th Street Lot and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo/Kelley Park. Fans coming to the game or just to enjoy fireworks should be aware of necessary road closures. Beginning at 8 a.m., Alma Avenue will be closed between South 10th Street and Senter Road. Fans can enter the San Jose Giants parking lots from the intersection of Alma Avenue and 10th street starting at 3 p.m. Spectators can also begin parking in the Seventh Street lot at 3 p.m.

Read more.

Update: Associated Students Server Security Breach

Update: Associated Students Server Security Breach

Although the risk of identity theft is low, phishing scams are possible. This means you should read incoming email carefully, and avoid clicking on links asking you to update your username and password. Emails that ask for your login information are scams.

Media Contact: Pat Lopes Harris, 408-656-6998

On June 26, SJSU learned a hacker breached an Associated Students of SJSU server. Please note the breach affected Associated Students only. SJSU employee data and MySJSU are completely separate and were not affected. Therefore, the breach will not impact fall 2012 registration and did not result in the release of thousands of student Social Security numbers or student ID passwords as suggested by the media.

However, we must warn you that hackers may have accessed names, home addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers and student ID numbers, but absolutely no corresponding passwords, for students from 2003 to present. Also, hackers may have accessed approximately 200 student driver’s license numbers. We will do our best to notify every impacted individual.

Although the risk of identity theft is low, phishing scams are possible. This means you should read incoming email carefully, and avoid clicking on links asking you to update your username and password. Emails that ask for your login information are scams.

The SJSU information security officer is working with Associated Students to implement improvements to the A.S. server. We apologize for the delay in contacting you. We have been reviewing every aspect of the A.S. server with the goal of providing you with accurate information.

Please report any suspicious activity to the University Police Department at 408-924-2222. UPD has opened an investigation, and will report this case to federal authorities.

We know you may have questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact the SJSU Public Affairs office at 408-924-1166 or publicaffairs@sjsu.edu.

Career Center Helps New Alumni Connect With Employers at “Grad Blast” June 7

Career Center Hosts "Grad Blast" Connecting News Alums, Employers

The SJSU Career Center will be hosting a “Grad Blast” beginning at 1 p.m. June 7 in Engineering 285/287.

By Ryan Whitchurch, Public Affairs Assistant

The SJSU Career Center will be hosting a “Grad Blast” beginning at 1 p.m. June 7 in Engineering 285/287 to help graduates connect with a panel of employers. The panel will discuss advice on how to launch a successful career after graduation.

“The job market is picking up for 2012,” said Career Center Employment Specialist Moira Srago. “Grads can gain their competitive edge by coming to Grad Blast and hearing from employers about how to distinguish themselves in their job search.”

This is just one of the many functions the Career Center offers to SJSU undergrads and alumni. A variety of programs help Spartans search for jobs including workshops and one-on-one consulting.

The Career Center also hosts special events every semester that provide SJSU undergraduates the opportunity to connect with employers to find jobs or internships directly out of college. These events include career fairs, information sessions held on campus, and networking mixers.

“I met my future employer at the Career Fair last spring,” said Edward Barshow, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in business management. “I met a representative from Kohl’s, got a paid summer internship, and was offered a job after I graduate.”

The Career Center offers virtual resources that are available to all undergraduates and alumni members 24/7 including its blog, Facebook fan page, and a job and internship website called SpartaJobs. All SJSU alumni can take part in these programs for a small membership fee.

“Times are looking up for graduates,” said Srago, “According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook Spring Update Survey, employers expect to hire 10.2 percent more from the class of 2012 than they did from the class of 2011.”

To learn more about the Career Center, get connected with its website, blog, and Facebook fan page.