Campus CommunityFather Steve Holds Final President’s Forum, Provides University Updates While Acknowledging World EventsNo Author ProvidedMay 20, 2021Invalid ImageNo Image Credit ProvidedNo Caption ProvidedStephen Sundborg, S.J., held the final President’s Forum of the year—and of his presidency—on May 13, noting it was his 72nd such quarterly forum for faculty and staff. Stephen Sundborg, S.J., held the final President’s Forum of the year—and of his presidency—on May 13, noting it was his 72nd such quarterly forum for faculty and staff. The president began the forum by asking the campus community to hold in their hearts those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation in India and Latin America. He offered a prayer for peace in the Middle East—“…that the people there might find a way to respect one another as true sisters and brothers…and to end any injustice which is the cause of war and violence.” Among other topics covered, Father Steve: Called upon Vice President for Enrollment Management Melore Nielsen to share an update on SU’s enrollment numbers for the fall, which are currently trending in a positive direction, with incoming freshman class registrations well above goal. Provided an overview of the preliminary FY22 budget similar to the update he shared earlier in the month, particularly on compensation increases and a partial restoration of the university’s retirement benefit. Encouraged faculty and staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19, saying, “It is very important not only for your own safety, but also for the safety of the students and everyone else at Seattle University.” (As a reminder, once you are fully vaccinated, please be sure to register your status.) Shared some of the recommendations that will be brought forward to the Board of Trustees to consider at their June meeting, particularly relating to the Academic Programs Portfolio Review and the faculty handbook. (No change in SU’s academic calendar will be recommended.) Spoke about the ongoing smooth transition and hand-off to President-elect Eduardo Peñalver; the work underway to hold a vibrant and memorable virtual commencement ceremony on June 13; the importance of the May 18 Racial Equity Summit; and the kick-off on May 20 of the Ignatian Year which marks the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’s conversion. The full video of the forum is available here.