Sonoma State students and faculty are reeling over shocking budget cuts. Those in impacted majors aren’t taking these losses lightly. Many are up in arms, including those in the geology department who are fighting tooth and nail to save their program.
On Jan. 22, interim President Emily F. Cutrer announced that Sonoma State will be cutting 46 faculty positions, eliminating six academic departments (including over 20 major degree programs), and closing the athletics department. These actions have been attributed to the $23.9 million budget deficit.
Sonoma State administration has shirked responsibility for the budget crisis. In their official email, Cutrer cited low enrollment rates as a leading reason for these cuts, saying “Sonoma State’s enrollment has dropped 38 percent since its peak in 2015.”
The six departments set for closure are art history, economics, geology, philosophy, theatre/dance and women and gender studies. There have been impassioned outcries from all impacted departments fighting to keep their funding.
One of the departments rallying for support is the geology department. These budget cuts came as a bombshell to students and teachers. “Of course, we’ve all known there was a budget issue on campus,” said Assistant geology professor Marisa Mnich, “But no one ever thought they’d cut so much with effectively no warning. I feel like the loss of these programs and departments will completely decimate the entire University. The entire geology department is reeling at the loss.”
Mnich isn’t the only one appalled at the delivery of this devastating news via email.
“An email was the worst choice of voicing these cuts – period,” said third-year geology major Atzi Olivarez “Not to mention the fact that these cuts came to the student body and faculty after the semester had started, making the decision seem premeditated as to get the most out of financially and mentally invested students and faculty.”
Matty Mookerjee, a tenured Sonoma State geology professor and acting geology department chair, has been vocal about his distaste for the administration’s budget cuts. “The decision to close the geology department is deeply concerning. It prioritizes short-term financial savings over long-term benefits, including workforce development, public safety, and environmental stewardship. The department plays a critical role in supporting Northern California’s geological and environmental workforce, and its loss would be a significant setback,” Mookerjee said. While Sonoma State may have a small geology program, a passionate community has flourished. The Sonoma State geology program is unique, allowing students to form a close mentorship with faculty members.
“Students are highly engaged in research with faculty. The individualized and specialized attention students in the major get is highly impactful,” said Mnich.
The geology department sets itself apart from other CSU programs with its emphasis on field research opportunities. This provides students hands-on learning in California’s diverse geological landscape. “Geology/Earth and environment sciences are high impact programs. Majors get extensive field training that prepares them for immediate entry into the workforce,” said Mnich. The Sonoma State geology department plays a crucial role in training future geologists who are essential to California’s safety.
“The department is essential for regional workforce development, hazard mitigation, and environmental research. Many of our alumni work in critical roles, such as water resource management, infrastructure safety, and geotechnical evaluations—areas crucial for California’s economy and housing development.” Mookerjee said. He also alluded to the geology department’s prestige, saying that “The department holds national recognition for its field geology curriculum.”
Despite the department’s growth and continued interest from students, Sonoma State has chosen to cut this important field of scientific research.
Professional California geologist Jeff Neuman warned how it’s alarming to see hard science go. Neuman, a graduate of UCLA, emphasized the importance of having locally trained geologists given the complexity of Northern California’s unique geography.
While the elimination of the geology department is upsetting, the timing given to the growing impact of climate change adds to the anxiety. Given our current presidential administration’s climate change denial initiative, it’s even more important in these times to keep environmental sciences. “Now more than ever, we need trained professionals who can advocate for the environment and our safety,” Mookerjee said.
Third-year geology Major Atzi Olivarez emphasizes geology’s importance amidst our current climate crisis. “To truly understand how and why Earth’s climate does change and past implications of said change, you have to look to the rocks and fossils and learn from them. Sea level rise and fall, isotope levels, volcanic eruptions, glacial movements and so much more are recorded in geologic history, and to ignore or not educate the future generations of students on these methods and recordings of climate history is to fail them as well as our planet.”
Sonoma State’s administration may point to geology’s low student enrollment rates as a reason for ending their program and cutting funding. Olivarez disagreed. “Most of our research, field excursions, conference attendance and supplies are paid for through grants and donations.”
Many students and faculty have been questioning what other steps Sonoma State administration could’ve taken before these drastic measures were taken.
“New solar panels, newly paved roads, the student center, the green music center with its personal grove of olive trees, Stevenson Hall … when in all of this development did any administration stop to think about putting this money into the programs that actually educate, facilitate opportunity and prepare the students that do come to our campus?”
These budget cuts have been a shock for students and teachers, weighing heavily on those impacted. Olivarez urges other geology students to not let these setbacks stop you.
“It is heartbreaking to have first-hand evidence of the lack of care and regard that administration has for our department, but it does not mean that we do not have supporters, a place or voice.” Olivarez urges students to stay optimistic. “What may come of your opportunities here is not the end of the line for you as students and geoscientists, it never was and will not be.”
Mookerjee, along with students and faculty campus wide are continuing to fight the administration on these budget cuts.
“I would urge them to reconsider this decision, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the geology department. Rather than dismantling a nationally recognized program, they should explore alternative funding solutions to ensure its sustainability.”
As a college, we are the strongest when we work together to offer a well-rounded curriculum to all students.
“The decision to cut Geology is short-sighted and undermines the university’s mission to serve its students and community. Policymakers, alumni, and students should work together to find a way to preserve our vital programs,” Mookerjee said.
“Write emails, make phone calls, and make some noise! We need to be heard!”
