Sonoma State University

Updates

Latest Update

Dear Campus Community,

As I have mentioned before, it’s an exciting time to be at Sonoma State University. Thanks to the concerted efforts of faculty and staff, over the past few months we’ve preserved academic programs once slated for closure, grown our dual enrollment and guaranteed admissions programs, kicked off a campus vibrancy project that will add student-centered amenities and resources this fall, and announced a major upgrade to Nichols Hall that will yield a state-of-the-art facility for nursing students, faculty, and staff. We graduated nearly 2,000 successful students during May’s Commencement ceremonies, new programs are in the offing, and our communities and alumni are freshly energized and optimistic about the future of a reimagined Sonoma State University.

Today I am pleased to announce the latest exciting step in this reimagining of our campus: the launch of NCAA Division II athletics, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. After five months of research and discussion, a diverse group of community stakeholders, former coaches, campus staff, and faculty members called the Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team presented three scenarios for the future of Seawolf athletics on June 15. Of the three scenarios, the university is opting for what is described as the “Base Case,” which includes 10 sports:

  • Women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball
  • Men’s basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer

Membership in NCAA and CCAA Division II athletics requires a minimum of 10 sports. The committee used the Athletics Task Force Report from January 2026 as a guiding document to determine this mix of programs.

These programs are anticipated to generate broad community interest and philanthropic and spectator engagement, and will be sustainable through a combination of student fees; tuition revenue from new student athletes; significant fundraising and sponsorships; sports camp and use fees for SSU facilities; and direct institutional support, including SSU Commitment funding provided by the state of California in 2025.

More information about this latest step forward for SSU is available in the Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team’s executive summary, these FAQs, and Sonoma State’s news release. I also welcome your ideas and suggestions — please send them to ssuathletics@sonoma.edu.

My thanks to the Fiscal Feasibility Team and its co chairs, Drs. Gerald Jones and Rob Eyler, and to the entire Sonoma State community for its ongoing work reimagining the university to best serve current students, prospective students, alumni, and everyone who considers SSU part of their lives.

Archive

Thank you to everyone who took part, either in person or virtually, in the February 21 legislative hearing on campus about Sonoma State’s 2025-26 budget deficit reductions and the university’s plans moving forward. As promised, a plan for the future will be presented in 30 to 60 days.

Dear Campus Community,

As we continue shaping the future of the California State University through our systemwide strategic planning process, your insights and perspectives remain vitally important. We are entering the second phase of stakeholder engagement and invite and strongly encourage you to participate in one of our upcoming virtual town hall sessions to share your thoughts on the future direction of the CSU.

Dear Campus Community,

Dear Campus Community:

Because attendance at the Town Hall scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30 is expected to surpass the capacity of any campus facility, the meeting will instead be held virtually. This will allow a much larger number of participants, ensuring all who wish to attend can do so comfortably. 

A webinar link will be shared later this week with instructions about how to ask questions.

I hope you will attend.

Dear Seawolf Community,

Dear Campus Community,

As the fall term winds down and the holiday season gets into full swing, I want to express my appreciation for everyone at Sonoma State University.

As part of aligning Sonoma State University operations with the realities of our current budget and the $21-million deficit we are facing in 2025-26, we have over the past week taken actions to reduce and reorganize operational staffing in some areas. 

Dear Campus Community,

I am excited to continue the dialogue around the system-wide CSU Strategic Plan, which is central to shaping the future of our university system. This collective effort depends on your input, creativity, and collaboration.

Thanksgiving is a special day. Whether you gather for a big meal, watch football or parades on television, or celebrate in some other traditional or non-traditional way with your family and friends, it’s a time to reflect on all for which we are grateful.