City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California CITY of COTATI
February 12, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom Chancellor Mildred Garcia Chairman Jack B. Clarke Jr. and 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 California State University Board of Trustees Sacramento, CA 95814 401 Golden Shore California State University Long Beach, CA 90802 401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
SUBJECT: BUDGET CUTS AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (SU)
Dear Governor Newsom, Chancellor Garcia, Chairman Clarke and Board of Trustees The City Council is writing to express our deep concern regarding the risk that would be created by implementing the disproportionate financial cuts recently announced for Sonoma State University (SSU).
The scale of these severe cuts without a long-term plan for addressing the root cause of declining enrollment jeopardizes the university's existence. As an employer of numerous SSU alumnus, the City has witnessed firsthand the vital role that this university plays in educating the next generation of professionals and leaders that serve our community.
SSU's contributions extend far beyond the campus. For decades, its programs-such as the Masters in Public Administration, Physics, Economics, and Earth and Environmental Sciences-have served as a pipeline for highly skilled professionals and our future leaders in Northern California that are essential in helping us confront the challenges posed by climate change. These programs and others have been instrumental in workforce development, supporting local businesses, governments, and organizations like the City that rely on SSU graduates for their expertise. The elimination of these programs will have ripple effects across the region, crippling industries that depend on a steady flow of educated The City, with our neighbors in Rohnert Park and Sonoma State University are entering into a joint Memorandum of Understanding to work together on a variety of critical issues in the community, region and state. This builds on our current collaborations with workforce development, economic development and housing. Additionally, the City has worked closely with SSU on public safety initiatives, including the first multi-jurisdictional-University mobile mental health crisis response team benefiting students on and off campus as well as our residents. The proposed cuts jeopardize the ability of SSU to continue to work on innovative programs such as these that prove models for the State and nation.
The university system in California is unique and has been a key driver of innovation, economic and job growth in California. The proposed cuts eliminating numerous programs threatens not just our region but the long-term position of California as an innovator and economic engine of the United States. The housing crisis has been a drag on our economy, but one that we can build back from unless our 201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov | @cityofcotati City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California CITY of COTATI
university system is hobbled by severe cuts that diminishes it's ability to educate the next generator of innovators and entrepreneurs.
A Long-Term Plan
The enrollment decline at SSU begs for a clear long-term plan, one that does not just involve budget cuts, but one that also lowers the risk of exacerbating the decline. SSU's current identity as a liberal arts institution would be thrown into question with the proposed elimination of so many departments and majors. Additionally, the complete elimination of all sports programs fundamentally undermines the culture of SSU and is the glue that brings people together, creates a school identity and builds school The North Bay has no other institution like SSU. Eliminating core academic programs, all athletics and entire departments jeopardizes not only the university's ability to attract students but also its mission to serve the critical workforce needs of our region. We understand the need to live within our financial means, but believe that the public university system in California is a key part of our collective future and we should be strategic about any reductions.
What is its new identity that will continue to attract new students, preserve the core educational mission and keep SSU viable? The answer to this question should not follow budget cuts; it should precede them.
Proven Methods for Increasing Enrollment
The breadth of the cuts creates new risks for the continued viability of SSU. Historically, the CSU has mitigated budget shortfalls at underenrolled campuses by directing applicants elsewhere in the system to the underenrolled campuses. There have also been expanded partnerships with community colleges, such as at CalPoly Humboldt, alleviate some expenses while preserving critical majors. Strategies such as these could bolster enrollment and preserve critical majors at SSU, but they appear absent in this proposal.
Requested Next Steps
The City respectfully requests that the Governor's office and legislature pause the budget cuts at SSU and work with the SU Chancellor to support a rapid effort to articulate the long-term vision with key stakeholders and then ensure any budget cuts support that vision. As part of this requested path forward, the City believes that it is important that the CSU Chancellor and Board of Trustees also re- evaluate the proposed cuts and how they were done. The state can also play a role by rolling back or reducing non-academic administrative requirements, which over time have become progressively more time consuming and resource intensive, threatening to crowd out the ability to fund academic programs - particularly during tight budgets. Lastly, we urge that the CSU Board of Trustees reinstate proven strategies, such as enrollment management and deeper partnerships with our community college to help close the budget gap without sacrificing the educational and economic lifeblood of the North Bay.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am confident that with thoughtful consideration and 201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov | @cityofcotati City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California CITY of COTATI
creative solutions, we can preserve the North Bay's only educational institution of its kind.
Sincerely,
for
Ben Ford
Mayor
Cc: Interim SSU President Emily F. Cutrer
Senator pro Tempore Mike McGuire
Senator Christopher Cabaldon
Assemblymember Damon Connelly
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Assemblymember Chris Rogers
US Representative Mike Thompson
US Representative Jared Huffman
https://cotaticityorg-my.sharepoint.com/personal/dobid_cotaticity_org/Documents/Santero Way Apartments/Exoneration Letter - 201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov | @cityofcotati