It is no secret that Sonoma State University has noticeably lost the interest of incoming students over the years, and the COVID pandemic has not made it any easier.
After reaching out to several administrators, many responded, eager to set the record straight regarding the future of SSU.
“The drop in incoming freshmen has effects, and a lot of it depends on if we see transfers and more first-year students come starting in Spring 2021 over time, but the drop reduces revenues for the university due to fewer people on campus overall to use our facilities, attend concerts and events, etc. The budget changes are likely to force some hard decisions in the near future for the campus about spending,” explained the Dean of International and Extended Education, Robert Eyeler.
SSU has already faced several cuts, notifying 51 employees that they will potentially be let go. The vast majority consists of cafeteria and food service workers. SSU is preparing for a $20 million budget deficit, according to the Press Democrat. “A lot has to be determined over the next 90 days,” Eyler told the Press Democrat. He continued,“Will, for example, the federal budget come through and provide enough funding to reconfigure the (CSU) budget and finance the system? It is possible, on the positive side. That 90 days will provide time to figure that out.”
Many potential first-time freshmen have decided to take a gap year or withdraw completely from SSU. Some can no longer afford it due to the pandemic. Others are not so patiently waiting for the full college experience to enroll. And some have decided to attend community colleges online in an attempt to save a little money.
Eyler also mentioned that “SSU is working hard on a daily basis to recruit and retain students, especially those that were accepted to SSU and chose not come here initially, or chose to take a gap year.” He continued by saying,“We are engaged in a process called “strategic enrollment planning” or SEM, working with faculty, staff, and administration to market and recruit for Sonoma State. More details on these efforts should be coming during Fall 2020.”
Sonoma State’s very own Dean of Arts and Humanities, Hollis Robbins, shared insight on her views of Sonoma’s promising capabilities.“Sonoma State is a unique school with the opportunity to sell itself to California students as a value proposition for an excellent liberal arts education. The cost of a private liberal arts education comparable to a Sonoma State education is often as high as $50,000 per year, between tuition, room, and board. At Sonoma State, students receive a student-centered education for far less than half of that.”
Robbins is hopeful that Sonoma State’s new outreach program will encourage students to enroll by showcasing and emphasizing the excellence present within their faculty. She mentions working with the most accomplished scholar-teachers including Kim Heser-Williams in AMCS, Gillian Conoley in English, and Dr. Greg Sarris, the Graton Rancheria Endowed Chair of Native American Studies.
SSU is, first and foremost, a place of education which ultimately serves as a vessel to build experience within young scholars. It is also a place in which connections and networking flourish. But, with recent cuts to several sports teams and the lack of an in-person environment, SSU is currently standing on shaky ground. With that being said, it is not entirely Sonoma State’s fault. Every school in the country is facing confusion, uncertainty, and disappointment.
