(Photo: David Schmitz)

Interim President Susan Martin with freshmen orientation leaders (photo by David Schmitz).

SJSU Media Relations contacts:
Pat Harris, 408-924-1748, pat.harris@sjsu.edu
Robin McElhatton, 408-924-1789, robin.mcelhatton@sjsu.edu

SAN JOSE, CA – SJSU opened the 2015-16 academic year with a reception welcoming Interim President Susan Martin to campus.

Academic Senate Chair Michael Kimbarow introduced President Martin, who offered greetings and then took questions from the audience. View the video.

The event was held from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Student Union ballroom. All students, faculty, staff, community members and news media were invited to attend.

Fall Welcome Address, Sept. 3

President Martin will deliver the Fall Welcome Address at noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Student Union ballroom. All students, faculty, staff, community members and news media are invited to attend.

The speech is an annual tradition during which the president reflects on the previous year and discusses the year to come. The event will be streamed live from the SJSU home page.

What’s New on Campus?

In addition to the presidential transition, SJSU is proud to announce that our 33,000 students will begin the year with many new classmates, faculty members, classrooms and services.

New students include 3,500 first-time freshmen, 3,500 new undergraduate transfers, and 2,000 new graduate students.

SJSU has appointed 58 new tenure-track faculty members across the disciplines from biology to dance. This is a significant increase over years past, the result of enrollment increases and resource reallocations within the university’s $329 million operating fund.

New administrators include Vice President for Student Affairs Reginald Blaylock, Vice President for University Advancement Paul Lanning, Dean of the College of Social Sciences Walter Jacobs and Dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Mary Schutten.

Students will find new furniture in 100 classrooms, new technology in 36 classrooms, new whiteboards in 35 classrooms and new seats in five large lecture rooms.

New Buildings, Programs, Sports

The new $25 million Student Wellness Center is open for business and the $54.7 million renovation of Spartan Complex, which houses many academic and athletic programs, is nearly complete.

The Student Union expansion continues, with a new Starbucks, Subway and Spartan Bookstore scheduled to open this term. A new residence hall is slated for completion in fall 2016.

On Aug. 1, SJSU became a tobacco-free campus, with the goal of promoting clean air and a healthy environment while helping community members quit.

This summer, students registered with the assistance of a new online tool. Spartan Planner offers a variety of scheduling options with one goal – graduating on time.

Last but certainly not least, men’s water polo will become SJSU’s 20th NCAA Division 1 sport. Their first match is noon Sept. 5, against Santa Clara at the SJSU Aquatics Center.

SJSU football kicks off its season 7 p.m. Sept. 3, taking on New Hampshire at Spartan Stadium.

About San Jose State

The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San Jose State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 134 areas of study with 110 concentrations – offered through its eight colleges.

With more than 33,000 students and nearly 4,370 employees, San Jose State continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing more than 7,000 graduates to the workforce.

The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 220,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.