Sonoma State University

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Latest Update

Dear Seawolf Community,

Sonoma State University is committed to fostering a campus where every member of our community is treated with dignity and respect and has the opportunity to learn, work, and engage in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Recent incidents of anti-Jewish hate on our campus involving swastikas and other reported conduct have raised concerns about antisemitism. In one incident, a small swastika made from chalk dust was discovered in a hallway. In another, a swastika was found in a graduate reading room and appears to have been drawn on the whiteboard over the summer. A report also has been received of anti-Jewish language directed toward students.

The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) and the Sonoma State University Police Department are aware of these incidents and are working with individuals who have reported concerns. Hate symbols and reports of biased conduct can have an impact beyond those who directly encounter them, particularly members of communities historically targeted by such symbols and language.

Harassment, discrimination, and acts of hate are contrary to our values and will not be tolerated. When concerns are reported, the university is committed to responding, connecting impacted individuals with resources and support, and taking appropriate action consistent with university policy.

These incidents are an important reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold our Seawolf Values: Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Responsibility. These values call on each of us not simply to avoid harmful conduct, but to actively contribute to a community where we look out for one another, intervene when appropriate, and treat one another with dignity and respect.

Coming Together as a Community
In response to these recent concerns, the Seawolf community is invited to come together in solidarity for a Restorative Circle - Brave Space on Tuesday, October 13 at noon in 200A International Hall. This gathering will provide an opportunity to connect as a community, reaffirm our shared values, hold space for those impacted by harm, and talk about the role each of us can play in creating a safer and more respectful campus.

Community members are encouraged to look out for one another and to reach out when support is needed. Students, faculty, and staff who have experienced or been affected by discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, retaliation, or incidents of bias are encouraged to connect with OPHD, who can provide you with resources and options, including supportive measures. You do not need to file a complaint to receive support, resources, or assistance. You may also file a separate criminal complaint with the Sonoma State University Police Department.  When there is an immediate safety concern, please contact the University Police Department.

Resources:

Members of our community may be looking for additional opportunities to learn, seek support, or report incidents. The following external resources may be helpful:

  • International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) – Resources for Holocaust education, remembrance, and understanding antisemitism: https://holocaustremembrance.com/
  • Report Campus Hate – A resource for reporting and responding to antisemitism and hate affecting Jewish students and campus communities: https://www.reportcampushate.org/
  • Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – A resource for reporting antisemitic, biased, or discriminatory incidents and accessing additional support: https://www.adl.org/report-incident
  • Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Bay Area – Educational resources and information related to antisemitism, Jewish communities, and responding to hate: https://jcrc.org/resources/

Thank you for helping to foster a Sonoma State community grounded in integrity, respect, responsibility, belonging, and care for one another.

Warmly,

Signature of Michael Spagna

Archive

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.

Dear Campus Community,

These last few weeks have felt especially turbulent – both locally within our beautiful North Bay, and more broadly across the country – and I realize that this turbulence comes in the wake of several months of relative instability. 2020 is certainly a year that will stand out in our collective memory at Sonoma State.

Dear Campus Community,

I’m delighted to welcome you to a new academic year at Sonoma State.

Dear Campus Community,

As summer winds down and Sonoma State gears up for a new fall semester, we look forward to welcoming students back to classes and reconvening the Sonoma State community—even though we will be largely engaging remotely. We may not be together in person, but we will be together in spirit and in our dedication to learning and education.

Dear Sonoma State Campus Community,

I am writing with an update about fall 2020 now that our plan for academics, housing, and dining has been approved by Chancellor Timothy White and the CSU Chancellor’s Office. As you know, classes, academic support, and student, faculty, and employee services will largely be virtual, but below is a summary of the main elements of the plan:

Sonoma State Community,

Journalist Jorge Ramos reminds us that “the greatest nations are defined by how they treat their weakest inhabitants.”

Dear Campus Community,