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

Dear Sonoma State University Community:

I’d like to take this opportunity to provide additional information about our continued commitment to institutional equity and belonging. The September 10 message informed our Seawolf community that our diversity, equity and inclusion programs, initiatives and leadership would transfer to Dr. Gerald L. Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs.

As part of our commitment to transparency and information sharing as Sonoma State moves forward in addressing its budget deficit, a web page with links to budget deficit resources is now live at https://budget.sonoma.edu/budget-deficit-resources.

Colleagues:

As we continue to navigate the challenges presented by declining enrollment and the associated budget constraints, we have been evaluating how to best utilize our resources to support a vibrant campus environment and ensure that we are fulfilling our mission effectively.

Dear Campus Community:

The Campus Town Hall is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Ballroom A of the Student Center. The event will also be livestreamed.

The forum will include remarks from me and updates on campus budget planning.

Please mark your calendars for a Campus Town Hall on Thursday, October 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Ballroom A of the Student Center. The event will also be livestreamed.

The forum will include remarks from me and updates on campus budget planning.

Happy Fall! Despite the recent heatwave, the season really has arrived.

With Halloween peeking around a corner just ahead, it might be easy to get caught up in the rush of work and activities that mark the holidays. I want to make sure to pause for a moment and express my thanks for every Seawolf’s contribution to our campus and to the communities we serve.

Dear Seawolf Community,

The first weeks of the new academic year offer an opportunity to reflect on the core values that define the Sonoma State community and affirm our unwavering commitment to seeking common ground and the benefits of pluralistic dialogue in every aspect of our lives — academic, professional, and personal. 

Dear Sonoma State University Community,

Good evening Seawolves:

Please see the following letter from the Chancellor and the CSU presidents to all CSU students, and note Sonoma State’s addendum to the CSU Time, Place, and Manner policy: https://www.sonoma.edu/time-place-and-manner.