On Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. the Sonoma State community received an email that undoubtedly will be remembered as one of the most dire in campus history. The email from Interim President Dr. Emily F. Cutrer stated that the school has come to an “unfortunate realization” – the budget deficit has increased, from the previous estimate of $21 million to nearly $24 million, necessitating a series of sweeping cuts to programs, departments, and faculty positions – and the elimination of all sports at Sonoma State.
According to the email, “approximately 46 university faculty – both tenured and adjunct – will receive notice that their contracts will not be renewed for 2025-26. Additional lecturers will receive notice that no work will be available in fall 2025,”
“Four management positions and 12 staff positions also will be eliminated,” Cutrer said.
The University will be removing NCAA Division II athletics entirely, involving some 11 teams in total.
According to the email, student athletes who choose to remain at the school will remain eligible to receive scholarships, as long as they meet the current terms of the scholarship.“Students, faculty, and staff potentially affected by these plans will receive subsequent direct communication if there are parts of the plan that may impact them,” wrote Cutrer.
However, sports is not the only department that is to be removed from Sonoma State.
Other ‘Departments identified for closure’ include the Art History, Economics; Geology; Philosophy; Theater and Dance; and Women and Gender Studies departments.
The college also plans to merge the Ethnic Studies departments (American Multicultural Studies, Chicano and Latino Studies, and Native American Studies) into one department with one major.
The following programs are identified for elimination by the University: Administrative Services Credential in ELSE; Art History BA; Art Studio BFA; Dance BA; Earth and Environmental Sciences BA; Economics BA; Education Leadership MA; English MA; French BA; Geology BS; German Minor; Global Studies BA; History MA; Interdisciplinary Studies BA; Interdisciplinary Studies MA; Philosophy BA; Physical Science BA; Physics BA; Physics BS; Public Administration MPA; Spanish MA; Theatre Arts BA; Women and Gender Studies BA.
The president also emphasized that the current plan has approval from the Chancellor’s office, and that the university was required to submit a plan to close its deficit.
Sonoma State is hosting a town hall meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, January 30 in the Student Center ballrooms to discuss the changes.
“I hope you will attend”, said Cutrer, “We will build on the remarkable legacy that precedes us and continue to serve the students and communities in this region for many years to come,”
When the email was announced, students were quick to hop on Fizz to voice their concerns. (Fizz is anonymous, but requires a Sonoma State email to post or view on the school’s timeline.)
“I’m gonna transfer before my major is affected, this is scaring me,” said one post.
“Welcome back seawolves there’s half of our academics programs gone and athletics go bye bye AFTER transfer portal closes #goseawolves” said another anonymous student.
The California Faculty Association at Sonoma also voiced their concerns via Instagram.
“Management at Sonoma State has given up on finding solutions that don’t hurt students, and is instead intent[ionally] tearing down the university. A decision we will fight. Their plan to layoff faculty, close six departments, and consolidate even more is both shortsighted and harmful,” said CFA Sonoma on Instagram.
“University management still needs to meet and confer with CFA members before it can implement these severe cuts, and impacted faculty have rights and should reach out to their chapter leaders for support.”
The full terms of the budget cuts, including programs and departments to be eliminated or merged, along with the full message from the president can be read here.