Sonoma State is considering creating a social justice center on campus. As of now it is only being discussed as a vision, and detailed plans have not yet been set forth. However, it is something that could end up creating a great impact for future Sonoma State students.
“President Sakaki cares deeply about social justice. Our new strategic plan identifies diversity and social justice as one of our institution’s core values,” Provost Lisa Vollendorf said. “Dr. Sakaki dreams of a social justice center that would be a site for programming, classes, and co-curricular activities.”
There are many possibilities when it comes to the practical applications of what this center could potentially do. Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, author, screenwriter, and professor at Sonoma State, is passionate about the project and hopes to be involved in its creation. “I have to preface that this is just my notion of what a social justice center is,” he said. “It would be a place where there could be classes, forums, and talks all around the issues of social justice. It would also be a safehouse for all students who might feel threatened or who need counseling…LGBTQ students, students of color, immigrant students, undocumented students, could have a safe home. A place where they can hang out and listen to lectures and have support.”
Sarris mentioned the summer bridge program, a program in which incoming EOP students stay on campus for a week during the summer to bond with one another and learn about the resources the college has to offer. He made it clear that while summer bridge is a good start he didn’t think students necessarily had the same support during the year, and students who did not qualify for EOP are left out. According to the Sonoma State website, “The primary focus of the program is to give the students a taste of university life while creating supportive relationships for them with other EOP students and advisors.”
Sarris hopes that a social justice center could create a place for students to connect during the year. “Many of us are first generation students who come to this university, and we’re afraid and unsure of where we are,” he said. “I think the summer bridge program is the kind of support that helps, but then during the year you experience loneliness and alienation.”
Sarris also points out that a student wouldn’t need to qualify for EOP or any similar program in order to be included in the services offered by a social justice center. “It wouldn’t discriminate,” he said. “I see it more as a homebase on campus. While a lot of other campuses have departments and programs and things that are targeted toward certain groups of people, I see this as a safe homebase for us being together in the future.”
It is important to note that as of now, the plans for the social justice center are very preliminary. “We currently do not have a site identified, nor do we have a fundraising plan in place for a fully-fledged campaign to build or refurbish one of our existing buildings to be designated as such a site,” Vollendorf said.
