Sonoma State University

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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 Campus Community, 

Dear Campus Community, 

Campus Community,

Dear Campus Community,

So many wonderful celebrations are happening this month. Last weekend we celebrated the Commencement ceremony of the Class of 2020, and this coming weekend we expect to celebrate more than 1,500 graduates from the Class of 2021. 

Dear Campus Community,

Spring is the season of new beginnings, transformation and growth. We are seeing it in the blossoms that have been plentiful on campus and the wildflowers and greenery that are blanketing the surrounding hills. I hope you have had a chance to get out and revel in the beauty of our region. There is so much happening on campus that I want to take this opportunity to provide an update. 

Dear Campus Community,

Dear Campus Community,

Dear Campus Community,

Dear Campus Community,

 
Dear Campus Community,

I write to you at the start of another month that already feels tumultuous, with COVID cases rising around the country and our attention riveted on the election results of so many national, state, and local races.