Sonoma State University

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Over the past year, the university convened an Athletics Consultation Task Force with the charge of exploring the future of athletics at Sonoma State University. Its work resulted in a white paper that recommended reinstating NCAA Division II competition. Moving in that direction, however, requires confidence that the program can be sustained through a sound financial model that supports its success long term.

As I shared during my January 30, 2026 virtual press conference, we have established an Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Committee to evaluate how NCAA Division II Athletics could be sustained in a way that aligns with the university’s academic mission and fiscal responsibilities. The committee, co-chaired by Dr. Mario A. Perez and Dr. Gerald L. Jones, will assess potential funding models, long-term operating costs, enrollment and student impact, and overall alignment with institutional priorities. Its membership includes students, staff, faculty, managers, former student athletes and coaches, and community members with subject-matter expertise in finance, academics, student success, and athletics. The committee’s final recommendation is expected no later than mid-June.

While we await the committee’s recommendation – and in light of the decision to postpone reinstatement until a sustainable plan is in place – I am extending Interim President Emily Cutrer’s approval of the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) funding allocations as recommended by the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) for an additional year.

Therefore, for the 2026–27 academic year, IRA funding will continue to support the following seven programs: Career Pathways and Preparation, The HUB, Club Sports, Children’s School, Library Extended Hours, Performing Arts, and Arts Integration, along with funding for the annually supported program pool.

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Good day Seawolves:

I reach out to all of you today in a spirit of hope and promise for the entire Sonoma State community, but also with a degree of sadness about the impact recent events have made on campus leadership.

Happy April to all,

There is so much happening at SSU right now. The air is warming while spring hovers, the campus is gearing up for Commencement, and so much of our work is gaining visibility – its educational and research impact emerging with clarity and cohesion.

Please join me in celebrating Women’s History Month and all that women have created, accomplished, and contributed to all of our lives. Sonoma State University is no exception.

Happy February!

A point of pride for Sonoma State is the role our University plays not only in educating a diverse population of students, but also in being a community partner engaged in meeting the needs of the many stakeholders the University serves regionally, nationally, and around the world.

Happy New Year! 

January promises to be a busy month for Sonoma State University. In addition to dodging raindrops, our main items of interest are the return of students and studies for the start of the semester on January 22. The university will be open and operating; the start of some classes might be delayed due to a planned strike by faculty January 22-26.

As we enter the final days of 2023 and prepare for the holiday festivities shortly ahead, I want to express my sincerest thanks to all of you for making Sonoma State such a success during the past year. We certainly have had challenges, and the path forward will not be without more obstacles, but we have abundant reasons for optimism going into the new year.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beauty of our region as the fall season reaches the halfway point, and is seizing the opportunity to be out in nature and exploring its natural wonders, many of which can be found simply by walking around our campus.

What welcome sights and sounds late summer brings to Sonoma State University. Warm days yield to increasingly cooler nights, and as we watch new generations of ducks and geese take flight from and return to the Lakes, hints abound of the fall season just around the corner.

 

Dear Campus Colleagues,

Dear Campus Colleagues,