Aug. 27, 2024
Good day Seawolves,
What a pleasure it is to see campus become fully re-energized with the arrival of new and returning students and faculty and the start of the academic year! This is always an exciting and invigorating time, and I am happy to be here to take part in it with you.
As you will see in the Noma News that follows, the SSU community was busy during the summer break, which is a testament to the engagement and enthusiasm of our students, faculty, and staff. Among several items of interest:
- Asad (AJ) Franklin, a philosophy major and the 2024-25 Vice President for External Affairs for Sonoma State’s Associated Students, was awarded one of just six CSU Black Student Success Scholarships.
- Sonoma State and the city of Rohnert Park partnered to host the second annual Juneteenth Luncheon, with “Celebrating Freedom and Honoring Progress” as its theme.
- Sonoma Students are building a satellite for launch in 2025.
- The University received its first-ever NIH grant, for research Dr. Lisa Hua and her students are conducting on chromosome organization.
- And former SSU standout Jaylen Wells became the first Seawolf ever to be drafted by the NBA!
I am confident that the new academic year will yield even more accomplishments that demonstrate the value and importance of Sonoma State University, on campus and off.
As I mentioned during my Convocation remarks on Monday, I am eager to see how the University continues to evolve in an interdisciplinary manner, which allows for the synthesis of ideas and characteristics from many disciplines. The academic reorganization that took effect July 1 is one example of how this interdisciplinary approach can lead change. As we consider all facets of the University — operations, finances, enrollment, leadership, teaching, even presidential transitions — viewing them through an interdisciplinary lens can lead us to sophisticated, multidimensional solutions.
There is no reason to sugarcoat issues the University has and continues to face, but we also should acknowledge significant progress:
- Enrollment is level this year compared to 2023-24, ending a three-year decline of 9-10% each year.
- Departments have been reorganized and combined for efficiency, and the instructional budget has been realigned with the current level of FTEs.
- We continue to work closely with dozens of tribes to repatriate tribal artifacts in our collection, have hired a full-time NAGPRA coordinator, and are seeking a second coordinator and a director of tribal relations.
- Sonoma State and the CSU are taking a comprehensive and caring approach to strengthening our Civil Rights programs — Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation — to ensure that our policies and processes are supportive, respectful, and compassionate, and result in prompt, fair, and meaningful resolutions.
In the brief time I have been on campus, I have recognized that the progress in each of these areas and others is the result of collaboration, cooperation, and problem-solving of the highest order — all components of an interdisciplinary mindset.
Additionally, and in light of last spring’s campus activities, the executive team and I are engaged with the tenets of The Path Forward and the new CSU systemwide Time, Place, and Manner Policy. These reflect SSU’s and the CSU’s commitment to academic freedom, community engagement, and the free exchange of ideas while preserving interests such as the safety and security of all students.
As the 2024-25 academic year gets under way at this beautiful University, I look forward to working with you to sustain academic and operational excellence and in fostering a sense of responsibility for one another and our future. Every day, we should ask ourselves: “How can I help make Sonoma State University better?”
Welcome back to all!
Warmly,
Emily F. Cutrer, Ph.D.
Interim President