At the start of the academic year, incoming freshman and transfer students at Sonoma State encounter opportunities to meet new people and discover on-campus activities. Events such as Big Nite, the club fair, and participation in Greek life play big parts in students finding their own communities. 

These initiatives are designed to welcome new students in their first semester. Madeleine Nolan, a third-year communications major who transferred in the fall, appreciated the events that took place during the start of the academic year, stating, “Without the events, I wouldn’t have heard about clubs or even some sororities.”

However, these community-building events don’t happen during the spring semester, making it harder for students to become a part of the different communities that Sonoma offers at that time. 

Julia Morris, a third-year communications major who transferred in the spring, expressed a feeling of isolation, noting, “There weren’t many events going on our first few weeks; it didn’t feel like we were getting to know other people.”

Shyanne Klamm, a third-year Psychology major who also transferred in the spring, found herself seeking information and opportunities independently, stating, “I thought there would be more information and opportunities to meet people.”

Transfer students, inherently requiring more guidance, face additional challenges in navigating a new campus during the spring semester. The lack of comprehensive information during this period impacts their social integration and obstructs their understanding of major classes and graduation requirements.  

Ainsley Kay, a third-year communications major who transferred in the spring, expressed concerns about the academic transition, emphasizing the need for more targeted guidance. She noted, “I never got put on an exact path,” even after meeting with an advisor, she still got “more of a broad understanding with taking all these classes.”

Advocating for inclusivity, transfer students emphasize the importance of attending events that help them learn more about what is offered on campus. Kay suggests practical tools such as “pamphlets about what’s on campus, clubs, Greek life, and a campus map would be helpful” to facilitate a smoother transition to Sonoma State University.