Sonoma State University sent an email to students at the beginning of the fall semester about the change of university departments, such as the Sonoma State Police reporting to Student Affairs. This strategic move aims to support the police department’s emphasis on student well-being, community, and care, merging the department with other student support services already in place under Student Affairs.
The campus administration strives to foster connections between various departments to help students’ academic experience while attending Sonoma State University. Before the change of departments, the university police department reported to the division of administration and finance. This change was implemented by the president of Sonoma State University. This isn’t the only university to change its ways of order, as universities such as San Francisco State University and California State University, East Bay are also following suit, according to SSU Police Chief Nader Oweis.
Ultimately, “the decision came from the President,” said Oweis, and it was a decision made after talking to the President and Student Affairs. This move wasn’t a hard decision, as the police department already worked closely with Student Affairs.
“We work in the Office of Institutional Equality and Belonging all the time, with student involvement all the time.. Collaborate with the students’ house center and CAPS [Counseling & Psychological Services],” said Oweis. It will only strengthen collaborations and will have no negative impact on the future.
As for the police department, it won’t impact the police department’s role on campus or any of their operations and day-to-day routines, as it only changes where they report for administrative oversight, such as budgeting and costs.
The Student Affairs department will also not be negatively impacted by the SSU police department joining its department branch. Instead, they welcome the change as “this realignment should be very seamless… no other changes are being made,” said Dr. Gerald L. Jones, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. For years, both departments have worked together across various units; therefore, “ This realignment allows UPD and DSA to increase our collaboration and increase services to the community.”
Combining departments does not change the way Student Affairs and Sonoma State Police operate. Instead, it will strengthen the relationship between departments, leading to a more seamless realignment that will enhance operations within the university to benefit students, staff, and faculty.
