This morning, President Lapidus hosted a Welcome Back & Employee Recognition Celebration at the Kent Recital Hall. Prior to the presentations,  colleagues gathered outside the Antonucci Science Complex, where they had the opportunity to reconnect after the summer, and before the start of the fall semester next week.

Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier invited our Residents Assistants, and Housing and Residential Services staff, to tour University Police facilities. Along with lunch and meeting the University Police staff, students and staff got to try out equipment, see what it's like to perform a sobriety test with "drunk" goggles, meet Odin, our therapy dog, and so much more!

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall, along with other Academic Affairs Leadership, took a break from Day 1 of a two day New Faculty & Librarian Orientation - Promoting Faculty Success program, for a casual luncheon with the newest Fitchburg State University Faculty.

Head Football Coach Scott Sperone invited Director of Counseling Services/Assistant Dean, Student Affairs Dr. Robert Hynes to speak with the players at this morning's team meeting. After introducing new team members, and letting the team know that he calls the games and is the "Voice of the Falcons", Dr. Hynes and told the players about the services available to them through the Counseling Services Center.

Our newest Falcons, along with their families & friends, viewed multiple presentations and information sessions today as part of our Summer Orientation 2022. Presentations from University Police, Commuter Affairs, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Affairs, and Housing and Residential Services, among others, were all designed to ease the students into their new home here at Fitchburg State University. Students and their families even got a chance to win a prize in a Housing and Residential Services quiz.

Yesterday, Fitchburg State University is hosting the 11th Annual  Mental Health & Law Enforcement Conference. This day-long event is designed for Police, First Responders, Emergency Service providers, Department of Mental Health, NAMI, Justice System partners, and other interested parties to come together and focus on mental health issues in their respective professions.

Today, Fitchburg State University is hosting the 11th Annual  Mental Health & Law Enforcement Conference. This day-long event is designed for Police, First Responders, Emergency Service providers, Department of Mental Health, NAMI, Justice System partners, and other interested parties to come together and focus on mental health issues in their respective professions.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) held a three hour interactive course in Basic Shelter Operations (BSO) here on the Fitchburg State University campus today. This course, led by Allen R. Phillips,  provided a high-level introduction to basic shelter operations, and was developed in collaboration with MEMA, MA Department of Public Health, DelValle Institute, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Western Region Homeland Security Council to provide a common vision and guiding principles to improve shelter coordination, support, and information sharing across Massachusetts.

Yesterday, the 5th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) were given the opportunity to experience the interview process with Sherborn Police Chief Tom Galvin. Chief Galvin, who has run this program each year, first has the Recruit Officers write their own set of interview questions and practice the interview process on each other. Following that, Chief Galvin, assisted this year by Sterling Police  Sergeant Steven Fugere preformed his own interview and then debriefed each student and gave them feedback to better hone their interview skills. For many students, this was their first experience with the interview process.

Our newest Falcons, the Class of 2026, began the second day of their Summer Orientation 2022 (Session Three), with some ice breaker activities and major-centric academic presentations. Afterward, they met with Department Deans & Chairs, and Academic Advising at the Holmes Dining Common. These first year students got a chance to go over their schedules as well as learn more about their chosen majors.