November 2, 2023
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.
Even from a distance, I am constantly amazed by the regional asset that is Sonoma State University – not only its physical attractiveness, but the many and varied activities taking place throughout the year that engage our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. I say “from a distance” because I recently returned from Taiwan, where I spent time with family and friends and paid a visit to my alma mater, Tunghai University. But I naturally stayed abreast of everything happening at SSU and was impressed from afar by the many events and accomplishments taking place.
Of note, Sonoma State was honored to host the Japanese Language Speech Contest on October 23, in partnership with the Komaru-Kotsu Foundation, the Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation, and Fukuyama City University. My deepest thanks to Provost Karen Moranski and her team for organizing the event, as well as to Fukuyama City University, the foundations, and Fukuyama Transporting Ltd. and its President and CEO, Mr. Shigehiro Komaru.
Other events and accomplishments on our busy campus:
- Preview Day on October 21 was an unqualified success, as more than 800 students and their families registered to be on campus.
- SSU played host to the Sonoma County Economic Development Board’s Fall Economic Perspective on October 19, bringing hundreds of regional business, organizational, and elected leaders together in our Student Center for a discussion of barriers to economic equity in our region.
- The Military and Veteran Resource Center (MAVRC) sponsored a VET NET Ally seminar October 12 featuring CSU Director of Veteran Affairs Dr. Marshall Thomas.
- A current exhibit at the University Art Gallery, "This Side of Blue: The Art of Mimi Chen Ting,” was highlighted in Cal State News’ celebration of Arts and Humanities Month.
- The running wonder that is Gianna Bomarito continued her winning ways, as she took home individual honors at the CCAA Cross Country Championships October 21 and now is headed to Nationals thanks to a third-place finish this past weekend at the NCAA Division II West Region Cross Country Championships.
- Women’s volleyball standout Jen Trephan was named CCAA Defensive Player of the Week.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank everyone – schools, department, units, all of you – for working so diligently on the annual budget. At the September 2023 CSU Board of Trustees meeting, the BOT not only approved the 2024-25 Operating Budget Plan, but also shared the CSU’s first ever multi-year budget projection. While Sonoma State has been practicing multi-year operating budget planning for the past several years, having access to the same projections from the Trustees helps the campus better contextualize its plan. The projections include increased contributions to the State University Grant (SUG) as well as compensation increases for most of the represented labor groups. Thanks to an increased enrollment outlook that will help boost revenue over the next five years, as well as the various cost-saving measures that already have been implemented, the campus anticipates a positive cashflow by 2029-30.
This is the result of much hard work and many tough decisions over the past 18 months, and I am grateful for how everyone on campus has pulled together to achieve success.
My best to you all as Thanksgiving nears and the holiday season begins in earnest!
Warmly,
Mike
Mike Lee, Ph.D.
President