Campus Update – May 19, 2025
University Announcements Dates and Deadlines HR Updates Reminders In The News University Announcements Emergency drill happening on campus May…
University Announcements
Commencement photos and video recordings available
Photos and video from SRU’s spring commencement ceremonies and other ceremonies recognizing graduating students are available on the news section of the University website. Instructions for ordering staged photos will be sent from GradImages to individual graduates’ SRU email addresses later this month. The following are links to candid photos and the YouTube recordings of the ceremonies:
- Photos from May 10 ceremonies
- Photos from May 9 ceremony
- Cadets take oath at officer commissioning ceremony
- Images from campus celebrations honoring graduating students
- Links to video recordings of each ceremony on YouTube
More information is available on SRU’s commencement webpage.
Facilities improvements underway
Today marks the beginning of several major projects to improve the University’s facilities and grounds. A summary of the projects was emailed to campus last week. Any updates will be shared in future Campus Update emails.
Bailey Library availability for the summer
The following are three updates from Bailey Library:
- Faculty librarians are available to help faculty, staff and students with research, reference questions, or database difficulties during the summer sessions. Submit your question(s) via Ask A Librarian and you will receive a response by the next day the library is in operation. Reference librarians are also on duty for research help/assistance at the library’s first-floor circulation desk, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Library summer hours are Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it will be closed on University holidays: May 26, June 19 and July 4.
- Kanopy films are no longer available for purchase for the remainder of the fiscal year (until July 1). Users will find fewer films/videos available when searching Kanopy. The library’s other two streaming platforms, AVON and Films on Demand, remain available.
School of Business departments merging
The School of Business enters a new chapter with a unified departmental structure as of the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.
- The unified Business Department will incorporate the existing Finance, Accounting, Marketing and Economics Department and the Management Department.
- The new department will consist of accounting, economics, finance, information systems, management and marketing programs, and will house both the MBA and business undeclared programs.
This change aims to simplify curricular coordination, strengthen collaboration and create synergies across programs. The ultimate goal is to enhance the student experience with intentional course options relevant to their major and to empower agility and effectiveness that will better enable the school to adapt to and meet the demands of the future. By coming together as a single department, the School of Business faculty may more effectively collaborate with their new dean, Prasad Vemala, who starts May 19, to build a foundation for progress and innovation for years to come.
Student Employee of the Month: Kaylee Villanueva Santos
SRU’s Payroll and Student Employment Office’s Student Employee of the Month program highlights students who demonstrate exceptional communication skills, problem-solving skills, work ethic, and professionalism, as well as inclusive customer service skills and teamwork. The April 2025 winner is:
- Kaylee Villanueva Santos, a graduate student in the TESOL program, who works as a graduate assistant in the Gender Studies program (nominated by Julie Naviaux and Melissa Swauger).
Dates & Deadlines
Summer session drop/add and withdrawal deadlines
The deadlines for students to drop/add (on MySRU portal Legacy Sign In) or withdraw (on DocuSign) for summer sessions classes are at 11:59 p.m. on the dates listed below:
- Pre-Session Drop/Add, May 15
- Pre-Session Withdrawal, May 23
- Full Summer Drop/Add, May 21
- Full Summer Withdrawal, July 3
- Session 1 Drop/Add, June 3
- Session 1 Withdrawal, June 18
- Session 2 Drop/Add, July 2
- Session 2 Withdrawal, July 18
- Summer Term Drop/Add, June 5
- Summer Term Withdrawal, July 10
Any attempt to drop a class after drop/add deadlines will be considered a withdrawal. As a reminder, students cannot drop The Rock/Basic Requirement courses. For additional information or questions, visit sru.edu/summer or contact Academic Records at 724.738.2010 or academic.records@sru.edu.
June 8: SRU Day at PNC Park
Join fellow members of The Rock community for SRU Day at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Sunday, June 8, at 1:35 p.m., as the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Phillies. SRU folks are encouraged to select seats in the Left Field seating area, sections 130-138, but everyone who registers through the official link will receive a Pirates/Slippery Rock co-branded jersey and the add-on of their choice.
Aug. 21: WOW Move-In Day volunteers needed
SRU is seeking volunteers from the campus community to help first-year students move into their residence halls, Aug. 21, as part of the Week of Welcome move-in day.
- This is a long-standing tradition that makes SRU a welcoming environment and distinct from many other institutions.
- There are a variety of times and positions available and every volunteer is essential to the success of WOW, from the move-in coordinators in each residence hall to those directing traffic and providing information at key points around campus.
- Sign up for a volunteer shift on the SRU WOW Volunteer webpage.
For more information, contact Stacy Bluedorn at 724.738.4842 or stacy.bluedorn@sru.edu.
Reminders
Summer break hours in effect May 12 to Aug. 22
Throughout summer break, several campus facilities and services, including the Aebersold Student Recreation Center, Dining Services, Residence Halls and the Student Health Center, operate with adjusted hours May 12 to Aug. 22.
- Summer break hours for selected services are posted online.
- The University’s office hours during summer break are Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The University will be closed for regular business May 26, June 19 and July 4.
Starbucks hours and renovations
Starbucks We Proudly Serve in Bailey Library will be opened weekdays (except holidays) during the summer, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning May 14, and Starbucks in Smith Student Center will be closed for renovations, May 12 to Aug. 4.
Phishing scam alert
Employees and students are reminded to remain vigilant against phishing attempts. Phishing is a type of online scam where attackers try to trick you into providing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers or other personal details.
- Please be cautious when opening emails (especially from unrecognized email addresses), clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- If you receive any email that seems unusual, do not respond or click on any links.
- Report suspected phishing attempts by forwarding the message to helpdesk@sru.edu.
More information about phishing is available on the IATS webpage. For more information, call the IATS Help Desk at 724.738.4357.
In the News
Recent media coverage of SRU from around the web:
- Ukrainian, set to graduate from SRU, looks to defend new nation –– New Castle News
- Robin’s Home clients get occupational therapy – Butler Eagle
- Local business leaders honored during Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber gala – Butler Eagle
- Student group promotes free speech – Butler Eagle
- Butler County colleges celebrating class of 2025 this week – Butler Eagle
- SRU football’s first scheduled opponent for 2025 moves up to Division I – ButlerRadio.com
- SRU Prepares For Graduation – ButlerRadio.com
- New Kensington woman’s self-love journey channels into children’s affirmations book –– Valley News Dispatch
- Moore goes batty for Pa. bats from her post – Lewistown Sentinel
- Jazz Concert Series Continues May 9 – Jamestown (N.Y.) Post Journal
- More than three dozen Emmaus student-athletes participate in college announcement ceremony – WFMZ-TV Lehigh Valley
- Woodrow Wilson Hall of Fame names inductees – Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator
