On April 2, Sonoma State held its Spring 2026 Budget and Planning Forum, bringing together university leaders to share updates on financial planning and strategies to strengthen the CSU.

“We’re out of the cutting mode…out of the discontinuation mode. We are in the mode of strategic investment in each other, in the university, and how we’re going to move forward as an institution,” said SSU President Michael E. Spagna.

The forum included a budget briefing, strategies to boost enrollment, and updates on academic affairs. Through these presentations, the administration emphasized transparency, unity, and a continued effort to stabilize Sonoma State.

“I have great optimism that what we put in place to try and regain our footing and enrollment is going to work,” said Spagna. “My own milestone is fall 28 for us to get back into a level flight pattern and to be on a positive trajectory.”

Laura Lupei, Associate Vice President for University Budget, provided a briefing on Sonoma State’s current financial position and planning for the 2026-27 fiscal year. As of June 30, 2025, the university-wide balance is $11.3 million, $2.9 million of which will be allocated to reserves. This leaves the university with almost of $12.7 million in the university reserves.

“This is the healthiest that the reserve has been since we started the pandemic, essentially”, said Lupei.

Lupei outlined that there is a projected $6.3 million deficit for 2026-27. This deficit will be managed through a combination of one-time funding and the school’s reserves. They are not anticipating budget cuts. The next major checkpoint is the Governor’s May Revision, which will confirm whether the state will get the funding to allocate $505.9 million to the CSU.

During the projected deficit, Spagna emphasized that “we have the resiliency financially to navigate this year.” 

More information is available on budget planning, recorded forums, and a link to the SSU commitment tracking website at the university’s budget website.

A central priority for Sonoma State is rebuilding enrollment pipelines. Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management Paul Edwards outlined the university’s enrollment and recruitment strategies. SSU will be focusing on creating stronger community ties, earlier outreach, and new marketing strategies to strengthen visibility.

Key points for enrollment and recruitment:

• Recruitment teams conducted outreach at over 660 events in the academic year.
• There is a shift to earlier student outreach, engaging with elementary and middle schools in addition to the traditional high school recruitment.
• Expanded recruitment gave way to 120,000 prospect names for Fall 2026 and 2027.
• There is continued development in providing direct admission to connected schools (MOUs). In the past 9 months, Sonoma State has established 11 new MOUs with high schools, along with one community college. 
• Dual enrollment has reached a record high of more than 450 students this spring, surpassing the previous record of 160 students. There are efforts to increase dual enrollment partnerships from 9 to potentially 19 high schools by 2027.
• Sonoma State is also rebuilding its geographical pipeline with Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.

These strategies are part of an effort to strengthen the school’s visibility and establish a stable recruitment pipeline. “We’re not going to just spray out everywhere and pray that students will come from one visit or two visits. We’re trying to get out to locations multiple times,” said Edwards. “I want students to start recognizing the logos and the names.”

Following the enrollment update, Dr. Stacey Bosick, interim provost, vice president for Academic Affairs and chief academic officer, outlined developments in academic affairs. There will be continual changes as the university focuses on stability, recruitment, and retention.

Key developments in academic affairs:

• Dual enrollment is expanding, partnering with AP courses to make enrollment more accessible for high school students.
• Launching support for adult learners in extended education.
• Opening more internships for students, such as creating a partnership with the water district.
• The physics program is reopening and partnering with other CSUs to provide certain courses.
• The History M.A. is returning as Sonoma State’s first blended B.A./M.A. program.
• Expansion of nursing programs alongside planned renovations to Nichols Hall.
• Theater is coming back as an integrated minor with other courses.

“Those are a few of the exciting things that are going on in the world of academics…None of it is easy, and that’s something that I really want to stress…It’s been hard. But the faculty and the staff, and all of you have been integral in making it happen,” said Bosick.

As the university continues to move forward, leadership emphasizes that recovery will take time and community. To increase transparency, Spagna is directing the provost and vice president of administration and finance to develop monthly budget forums alongside the official biannual spring and fall meetings, “so that by the time we get to a full spring forum, you already have a preview of what’s happening going forward.” 

Sonoma State is making strategic moves to strengthen its foundation, and soon, results will be anticipated. Through resilience and collective efforts, Sonoma State will continue to find its footing.