Heartfelt Pleas from Students, Faculty, and Alum to Save Sonoma State

“Sonoma State saved my life,” said alum David Adler, his voice trembling with emotion. “I was a product of Coach Goelz. He was the father figure I wish I had. He was one of the first people I called when my mom passed away after I graduated.” With his attention now set on Sonoma State President Cutrer, Adler implored, “While I don’t work here, these are my students. The time is always right to do what is right. You can still save SSU.”

Adler, along with dozens of other faculty, students, staff, and community members shared their heartfelt pleas to save the campus during last Friday’s public comment portion of the legislative hearing at Sonoma State. The hearing, initially scheduled for three hours, went over by an additional two hours as legislators listened attentively to the personal stories being shared with them.

The hearing was prompted by overwhelming concern for CSU management’s mishandling of the cuts and lack of transparency around the recent fallout at Sonoma State.

CFA members joined campus sibling unions to stage a powerful rally outside the student union. The rally pulsed with life as families, community members, alumni, students, and faculty huddled closely together in defiance against the proposed layoffs and program cuts. Unified chants of “Save Sonoma State!” rang out across Seawolf Plaza. Labor leaders and student activists took turns speaking at the podium, each delivering a unique message with one central theme: We will not allow management to dismantle our university.

Soon after, rally-goers gathered inside the Student Center for the public legislative forum, co-chaired by Senator Cabaldon and Assemblymember Damon Connolly. They were joined by Senate President pro tempore Mike McGuire, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Assemblymember Chris Rogers.

All the legislators took turns stressing the importance of transparency and accountability, which Connolly asserted “has been in short supply.”

Disappointed that Chancellor García and President Cutrer only intended to share a plan for Sonoma State with community members six months from now, with no opportunity for input from students, faculty, staff, or the public, Connolly insisted, “The Chancellor’s Office as well as administrators at Sonoma State must acknowledge their failure and mishandling of the university’s budget and the budget-cut rollout.”

Still visibly frustrated from the Capitol hearing, Rogers stated, “While this conversation is happening in Sonoma County, it won’t stay in Sonoma County. You have six to seven CSUs that are going to face the same thing, and the entire Legislature is watching. We have a Chancellor’s Office that doesn’t care what we think.”

“Please understand that faculty are not the problem. Even the departments that are being dismantled have been making money up to this point. I don’t think throwing more money at the system is the solution…”

– Wendy St. John, CFA Sonoma Lecturer Representative and Sonoma State lecturer

Rogers called for García to lift the hiring freeze on the search for a permanent president, stressing the need for a leader who knows the community, comes from it, and can help stabilize it.

During the hearing, Wendy St. John, CFA Sonoma Lecturer Representative and Sonoma State lecturer, shared her life-changing experiences as both an undergraduate and graduate student at Sonoma State. “When I’m asked why people should choose Sonoma State, I tell them that because we are small, it’s possible for students to really get to know their professors one on one, to have educational experiences that lead directly to fulfilling careers, and to develop lasting relationships in ways that often aren’t possible at larger institutions. Now, after dedicating a decade of my life to teaching at this university, my own career is being threatened.”

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St. John continued with her testimony, shifting to the real issue: management. “Please understand that faculty are not the problem. Even the departments that are being dismantled have been making money up to this point. I don’t think throwing more money at the system is the solution. Yes, we need funding, but the current leadership of the CSU has demonstrated that it cannot be trusted to guide us in alignment with our primary mission. Accountability must be put into place.”

“By no means has the last chapter been written. We are just getting started,” expressed Connolly. “The Legislature needs to be assured that the money invested into Sonoma State will actually go towards supporting the students, faculty, and staff, who are the backbone of this university, and there must be a plan.”

“We will be going to battle for this California State University and this campus in the coming weeks and months,” said Cabaldon.

McGuire closed the hearing by emphasizing the importance of recruitment, strategies for stabilization and growth, as well as fostering community engagement and ownership. He also spoke to the need for developing metrics on student life, including the need to reexamine Sonoma State’s intercollegiate athletics program.

Fighting back tears, McGuire remarked, “Sonoma State is truly a special place, and the emotion that was shared by so many… I want to say thank you. It makes the community stronger. It’s because of the people who work here. The faculty, the teachers, the staff who keep the university running day in and day out, and the students who call Sonoma State home. You are a pride of our region. This has been one of the most inspiring days that I’ve have seen in some time. When things are so tough across this nation, it’s so inspiring to be able to see a packed hall of folks saying, ‘Let’s invest, come together, and work together.’ ”

The legislators instructed Garcia and Cutrer to prepare a comeback plan within the next 30 to 60 days. They also intend to return to Sonoma State to follow up on the progress in the coming month.