Dec. 14, 2017
Dear Campus Community:
I want to sincerely thank each of you for making Sonoma State University a great place to study and work. I am proud of all we have accomplished in 2017 and I continue to be grateful for the support and care that the students, faculty and staff have shown to each other, especially through the extraordinary events of the fall.
Among our year-end updates:
- I am very happy to report the NomaGives Fire Recovery Fund has received approximately $100,000 to date from over 400 donors. Thus far 103 students and employees have received or are expected to receive some assistance. They have used the funds to purchase basic necessities, school supplies, groceries, temporary housing and to replace lost belongings.
- This month marks the conclusion of Michael Young’s appointment as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. Our deepest thanks to Dr. Young for his 16 months of service to SSU. Our search for a permanent Vice President is in the final stages, and until the permanent VP can join us, I have asked Harry Le Grande, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs – Emeritus from the University of California, Berkeley, to join us. Interim VP Le Grande had a distinguished career in Student Affairs at Cal. He will start Jan. 2.
- I am pleased to announce that Dr. Patti Hiramoto has agreed to become Interim Vice President for Advancement, in addition to her duties as my Chief of Staff. Patti previously served as Vice President for University Advancement at Cal State Monterey Bay. We are conducting a national search to fill the position.
- We have good news from the School of Extended and International Education (SEIE): As part of our commitment to improving the graduation rate, the SEIE scholarship program will award $203,000 to 358 students for winter 2018 classes. This will enhance SSU’s goal of helping students move more quickly to complete their degrees.
- We have set our spring 2018 Commencement dates for Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, in the Green Music Center, Weill Hall. Please see details at the commencement website.
- Lastly, I am happy to report that Governor Brown has authorized 1/2 day (one-half day) informal paid time off for all state employees on December 22. I am pleased to authorize the remaining 1/2 day (one-half day) as informal paid time off for Sonoma State employees. This effectively closes our campus from Dec. 22 through Jan. 1.
I wish for you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season. Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year. See you in 2018!
Judy K. Sakaki
President