Dear Campus Community,
I’m writing to ensure you are aware of two topics important to Sonoma State’s future that Chancellor Garcia spoke about in her report at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting today.
First, I’m sure that you are pleased to learn the Chancellor is reopening the search for a regularly appointed president. As much as I appreciate being on campus at SSU, I recognize, as I know you do, that the appointment of a new president is critical to institutional stability. Details about the search were announced earlier by the Chancellor, and they are welcome news to the Sonoma State community.
In addition, I share today information about a new effort toward financial sustainability that Chancellor Garcia announced to the Board of Trustees today.
Along with Cathy Sandeen, President of Cal State East Bay, and Lynn Mahoney, President of San Francisco State, I have provided the Chancellor with a written commitment to create a singular administrative network integrating a range of transactional operations, likely to include all finance and administrative services (e.g., audit, budget, finance, capital planning design and construction, human resources, payroll, procurement, IT, IT security and academic technology, etc.). We propose this be called the San Francisco Bay Region Network. Other services to be explored include networked library services and Title IX/DHR operations, as well as back-office functions in such areas as financial aid, admissions, and records.
Please be assured we are NOT proposing the merger of three universities. Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State, and Sonoma State University will remain independently accredited universities serving their regions in unique and distinct ways, with their own executive leadership and Academic Senates.
Also, please note that no immediate workforce reductions are planned related to this initiative. Existing employees in administration and finance functions will be needed as part of the networked operation, campus-based service centers, and during the design and transition period. Furthermore, this proposed network will not supplant or delay expense reduction initiatives currently underway at all three universities.
We are just at the beginning stages of thinking about how the network will function, but it shows great promise to help us reduce administrative expenses even further. We have requested funding from the Chancellor’s Office to assist with design and implementation. What happened today was a statement about an initial commitment to create networked administrative functions involving our university. Many more steps will follow. Presidents Mahoney, Sandeen, and I will provide more detailed information to the Board of Trustees at its May 2025 meeting, and I commit to keeping the entire campus community involved as this network is developed.
Thank you, as always, for all you do for our students and university.
Emily F. Cutrer, Ph.D.
Interim President