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.
May 16 to July 9: Fiscal year travel and purchasing deadlines
There are several end-of-fiscal-year deadlines approaching for employees who are purchasing goods and services, submitting travel expense reimbursements, making budget transfers, and other transactions:
- View this document for a complete summary.
- May 16: last day for catalog orders.
- June 30: last day to receive items in Sourcepoint for FY25.
- June 13: last day to submit travel expenditures on trips taken prior to June 1.
- July 8: last day to submit June 1-30 travel expenditures (must be approved by July 9).
For questions about travel expenditures, email travel@sru.edu. For all other inquiries, contact Linda Moore, director of accounts payable, at linda.moore@sru.edu or 724.738.2234.
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.
Nov. 10: Faculty & Student Research/Creative Activity Grant
The Faculty & Student Research/Creative Activity Grant Program provides support for faculty proposals that directly involve undergraduate or graduate students in research or creative activity directed toward a join presentation, publication, demonstration and/or performance. The maximum grant award is $5,000. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m., Nov. 10. More information is available on the RFP document available for download here.
HR Updates
SRU mourns the passing of Carl Miller
Carl Miller, a former SRU employee who worked at the University for more than 40 years, passed away May 4. Miller, 83, started working at SRU in 1969 before retiring as director of administrative systems and technologies. More information is available in the obituary.
Memorial service for Thomas Gaither is May 31
There will be a memorial service for Thomas Gaither at 2 p.m., May 31, at the United Methodist Church in Slippery Rock. Gaither, an SRU professor emeritus of biology and famous civil rights activist, passed away Dec. 23, 2024, at his home in Prospect. Gaither, 86, was an SRU faculty member from 1968-2007.
Temporary work hours start today
SRU will observe a temporary change to the regular work schedule for office personnel from May 12 to Aug. 22.
- The University will observe an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule with a half-hour lunch.
- Business casual dress is permitted.
- Offices currently open during lunch will remain open during this temporary schedule.
- The University will resume its regular work schedule, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a one-hour lunch, Aug. 25.
- The University will be closed for regular business May 26, June 19 and July 4.
- Several campus facilities are offering services for students with adjusted summer break hours.
Please direct questions to the Human Resources Office at 724.738.2070.
Retirement planning sessions available
SRU employees can receive one-on-one counseling for retirement planning from TIAA and Fidelity.
- For TIAA, representative Vincent Roney is available:
- June 3, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., in Smith Student Center, Room 325.
- June 24, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., in Smith Student Center, Room 325.
- Appointments can be scheduled by visiting TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800.732.8353.
- For Fidelity, representative George Maccarelli is hosting phone/video appointments:
- May 23.
- Click here to schedule a time and type “Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education” as your employer name.
Forms needed 45 days before programs hosting minors
Faculty or staff members who are hosting an on-campus event, camp or program with minors (people under the age of 18) must:
- Review the University’s Protection of Minors Policy and
- Submit the appropriate forms 45 days prior to the event to programhostingminors@sru.edu and kelly.patton@sru.edu.
- Program Administrators will be required to schedule a meeting to submit all clearances, paperwork associated with clearances, and code of conduct forms for their program, camp or clinic with Payroll and Student Employment at least two weeks prior to the start of the schedule events.
Participants added without the required 45-day notice, after documents have been submitted, will need to be submitted using this form Late Participant Request. More information is available on the SRU website or by emailing programhostingminors@sru.edu.
Host a Fall 2025 professional development workshop
Employees interested in hosting a professional developing training session during the Fall 2025 semester are asked to complete an online form by Aug. 15. Submit questions or request more information by emailing to training@sru.edu.
Personnel updates for March and April 2025
The following are recent appointments of SRU employees:
- Custodial Worker 1, Facilities and Planning – Joshua Kobussen, March 3
- Business Intelligence Developer, Finance and Administration – Eric Lintzinger, March 3
- Custodial Worker 1, Facilities and Planning – Shirley Rongaus, March 3
- Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach, Athletics – Robert Serra, March 6
- Assistant Football Coach, Athletics – Jalen Jackson, March 8
- Coordinator of Camps, Finance and Administration – Lisa Horton, March 10
- Associate Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships – Dannielle Sweigert, March 10
- Administrative Assistant, University Marketing & Communications – Claudia Fischer, March 24
- Clerk 1, IATS – Maggie Bowser, March 24
- Tradesman Helper, Facilities and Planning – Edward Freedline, March 31
- Manager of University Events, University Advancement – Garrett Horrell, April 7
- Semi-Skilled Laborer, Facilities and Planning – Michael Bodnar, April 14
- Semi-Skilled Laborer, Facilities and Planning – Zachary Stephenson, April 16
- Women’s Head Soccer Coach, Athletics – Noreen Herlihy, April 21
- Women’s Head Volleyball Coach, Athletics – Dylan Lasher, April 21
- Semi-Skilled Laborer, Facilities and Planning – Eric Foust, April 22
- Fiscal Technician, Academic Affairs – Kristine Hoffman, April 23
Reminders
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.
Book a time with Web Communications
Employees needing access or training to update their department or office’s webpage on sru.edu are invited to schedule a session with a Web Communications team member:
- Use this link to a new booking time feature.
- These one-on-one sessions are to learn the website content management system or to discuss website content needs.
- Web Communications is also available by emailing websupport@sru.edu or by completing a web support form for content assistance or to report any technical issues with the University website.
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
