IITS reveals findings of security audit

Following the cyber security hack last fall, CSUSM underwent a security audit in Spring 2021, according to CSUSM’s Institutional and Information Technology Services (IITS) report.

The security audit resulted in several recommendations to enhance campus security. Directly after the security breach, the university has made public changes like increasing password length and full implementation of DUO to core campus systems.

The audit suggested that the university enact changes to expand deployment of anti-virus software, enhancing protection from email threats, client vulnerability scanning, protection from email spoofing, increasing the use of DUO and implementing an annual password change.

For more information, please visit https://www.csusm.edu/iits/spotlights/fall21/securingcampus.html.

CSUSM chief diversity officer to hold small conversation sessions

CSUSM’s new chief diversity officer Dr. Aswad Allen will host small group conversations with the CSUSM community on Nov. 29 for faculty only, Dec. 8 and Dec. 14 for everyone.

According to the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s website, “hearing from the CSUSM community is essential to the future of the university.”

Dr. Allen has already held small group conversation sessions in October and with students and faculty earlier this month.

To register, please visit https://www.csusm.edu/equity/news/index.html.

Pursuing Positive Change in Child Welfare | CSUSM News Center

As a student of criminology and justice studies at CSUSM, Jordyn Young was immediately captivated by the study of people, cultures and human dynamics.

“I love studying about humanity,” said Young about the CSUSM program. “Learning about the potential of people and the power in people is fascinating. There is an endless wealth of knowledge, and you can never run out of things to learn about humans.”

The BA in criminology and justice studies at CSUSM at Temecula draws on the study of sociology and criminology to build an understanding of the social processes surrounding both crime and social justice in order to pursue solutions for positive social change. Read more at https://news.csusm.edu/pursuing-positive-change-in-child-welfare/.

Master’s Student, Professor Team up on Math Research | CSUSM News Center

Having grown up in Korea, Michelle Kang set out to make the most of her college experience upon her arrival at Cal State San Marcos.

She began as a kinesiology major, hoping to work as a trainer or physical education teacher.

She got involved on campus, working for three years as part of the university’s Outdoor Adventures team. Her love of sustainability led her to earn a grant from the ASI Sustainability Project Fund that helped the group achieve its campus-wide sustainability goals such as zero waste.

Math was the furthest thing from her mind.

Until she took a pre-calculus course taught by Andre Kündgen, where her career path took a monumental detour. Read more at https://news.csusm.edu/masters-student-professor-team-up-on-math-research/.

Currently, 10 active COVID-19 cases reported at CSUSM

The CSUSM campus has 10 active COVID cases as of Nov. 14. There have been 227 cumulative COVID-19 cases this year.

The data includes cases from students and employees who have tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, the data shows whether individuals with COVID-19 were on campus or in an off-site campus program.

The positivity rate of students, faculty and staff testing through on-campus testing is 0.19 percent as of Nov.  14.

The numbers demonstrated in the current data include the cases only known to CSUSM and are not inclusive of positive cases impacting CSUSM community members off-campus. CSUSM data can be found on https://www.csusm.edu/csusmasone/faq/current-cases.html. The data updates when there is a new case reported to the university.

ASI holds grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony for new Cougar Pantry space

To commemorate the Cougar Pantry’s new home in Commons 104, ASI held a grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 18. 

The Cougar Pantry is led by ASI in an effort to combat food insecurity among students. Students are greatly encouraged to use this free resource. The Cougar Pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.