President Bailey’s Video Update for September 2026

SOU President Rick Bailey offers his September video message from the lawn between McLoughlin and Shasta halls – SOU’s primary student housing facilities and a center of activity as fall term ramps up. He says there “is a real energy on our campus right now,” recognizing the difficult decisions that have been made in recent months while acknowledging excitement about the opportunities made possible by the university’s Vitality Plan. “This is not a stabilization plan; it’s a transformation plan,” he says. The operational and academic transformations laid out in SOU’s Vitality Plan were recently featured in a cover story in the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the university’s plans have received unanimous support from legislative committees that have reviewed them – “Republicans and Democrats, senators and representatives.” President Bailey points out that even as the Vitality Plan is implemented and opportunities open up across campus, the university will need a “robust pipeline of students coming in.” He asks supporters and community members to encourage families that are university-shopping to explore the advantages available at SOU, and to get involved in campus events – whether athletics, the arts, lectures or learning opportunities. “The more you do that with us, the more you show your commitment to us as a university,” he says.