Sonoma State University

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Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University seal.svg
Former names
Sonoma State College (1960–1978)
MottoLux Mentis, Lux Orbis (Latin)
Motto in English
Light of the Mind, Light of the World
TypePublic university
Established1961; 60 years ago (1961)[1]
Parent institution
California State University
Academic affiliations
COPLAC
Space-grant
Endowment$52.7 million (2020)[2]
Budget$149 million (2019)[3]
PresidentJudy K. Sakaki [1]
Academic staff
542
Students7,807 (Fall 2020)[4]
Undergraduates7,154 (Fall 2020)[4]
Postgraduates653 (Fall 2020)[4]
Location
Rohnert Park
,
California
,
United States
CampusSuburban, 269 acres (109 ha) (main campus)
ColorsNavy, Columbia blue[5]
   
AthleticsNCAA Division II – California Collegiate Athletic
NicknameSeawolves
MascotLobo the Seawolf
Websitewww.sonoma.edu
Sonoma State University logo.svg

Sonoma State University (SSU, Sonoma State, or Sonoma) is a public university in Rohnert Park in Sonoma County, California. It is one of the smallest members of the California State University (CSU) system. Sonoma State offers 92 Bachelor's degrees, 19 Master's degrees, and 11 teaching credentials.[6][7] The university is a Hispanic-serving institution.

History[]

Founding[]

Sonoma State College was established by the California State Legislature in 1960 to be part of the California State College system, with significant involvement of the faculty from San Francisco State University. As with all California State Colleges, Sonoma State later became part of the California State University system. Sonoma opened for the first time in 1961, with an initial enrollment of 250 students. Classes offered took place in leased buildings in Rohnert Park where the college offered its first four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. With the completion of its two main classroom halls, Stevenson Hall, named for politician Adlai Stevenson II, and Darwin Hall, named for Charles Darwin, the college moved to its permanent campus of 215 acres (87 ha) in 1966 where the first graduating class received their degrees.[8]

Early development[]

As enrollment increased, Sonoma State built more on-campus facilities, including Ives Hall for performing arts, The University Commons for dining, a small library, and a gymnasium. These buildings followed the physical master plan of the school which stated that the facilities would be urban in character, defining the use of smooth concrete building façades with landscaped courtyards. Among the landscaping features added with these facilities were the "Campus Lakes", two small reservoirs located behind the Commons next to Commencement Lawn, the site of the university's annual commencement ceremonies, as well as one lake near a housing facility, Beaujolais Village; the lakes are home to local waterfowl.

One of the ponds behind the Commons

In 1969, the first master's degrees in biology and psychology were offered. The new cluster school concept, coupled with a more intense focus on the surrounding rural environment, influenced the new physical master plan. The first facility built under the new plan was the Zinfandel residence area. The new Student Health Center used a primarily redwood façade with a landscaped ground cover of wild roses and poppies. Sonoma State was closed from May 7–11, 1970 after Governor Ronald Reagan ordered that all California colleges and universities shut down due to anti-war protests and rallies after the shootings of four students at Kent State University.[9] In 1975, Nichols Hall was built as the newest classroom hall and named in honor of Sonoma's founding president, Ambrose R. Nichols.[citation needed]

Early development of the modern campus came to a close in 1976 when the Student Union was constructed between the main quad and the lakes. This building continued the use of the physical master plan, using primarily redwood and preceded the similarly built Carson Hall, an art building, a childcare center, additional parking, and a computer center which was added onto the library.[8]

The modern university[]

In 1978, Sonoma State College became Sonoma State University when the school officially gained university status. In response to this achievement, the surrounding community provided funds for the new university to build a large swimming pool, completed in 1982, and the 500-seat Evert Person Theatre, 1989 and which dominates the view when entering campus through the main drive. Further enrollment increases and a new goal of movement toward a residential campus as opposed to a commuter campus facilitated the building of Verdot Village in 1995.[8]

21st-century expansion[]

The Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center

In May 2001, the Board of Trustees approved a new master plan, which added 48 acres (19 ha) to the campus, located north of Copeland Creek. Rapidly accelerated growth of the residential student body was alleviated by the construction of the third phase of on-campus housing named Sauvignon Village, offering housing to non-freshman students. In the same year, the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center was completed to accommodate the expanded needs of the library and computing services. The facility was built as a prototype library and information complex for the 21st century, housing more than 400,000 volumes in its stacks. The center also houses an advanced Automated Retrieval System (ARS) which contains an additional 750,000 volumes in a computer-managed shelving system in the library wing.

The Green Music Center under construction in 2008

A large portion of the funding to build the information center was donated by Charles Schulz, cartoonist and author of the popular Peanuts comic series, and his wife Jean.[10]

Darwin Hall after its renovation

In January 2005, the university began the renovation of Darwin Hall, the university's science building, which had been built in 1967. The new building was designed to provide efficient academic classrooms and study areas for faculty and their students. The renovated structure was completed and re-opened in fall 2006 and provided new laboratories and classrooms to support the needs of a modern science curriculum.[11]

The new property approved by the board of trustees in 2000 is also the site of the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center, funded by private donors. A component of the Green Music Center, Music Education Hall, was state-funded. The center contains the 1,400-seat Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, which was completed in 2012. Students began taking classes and occupying the building in fall 2008. Its resident orchestra is the Santa Rosa Symphony.[12]

In May 2007, SSU faculty voted no confidence in President Armiñana based upon financial issues surrounding the building of the Green Music Center,[13] and faculty allegations that the building of the center took money away from academic programs. The center, originally intended to be a $10 million project, grew into a $120 million complex as additional venues and features were added to the original plan. The construction of the center was initially funded by bond measures, loans, and private donations as the use of academic funds for other uses is illegal.[14] The Board of Trustees continued to support Armiñana despite the vote.[15]

In February 2010, the FBI and investigators from the Sonoma County District Attorney's offices raided the campus's administrative and finance offices, seizing dozens of boxes from a storage area, as well as examining computers. The operation focused on an alleged misuse of federal grant money by the California Institute for Human Services (CIHS),[16] a unit closed by SSU in 2007. The two top CIHS administrators were dismissed at that time.[17]

A new social center for the university gained approval in April 2011. Students voted to raise their fees by $150 a semester to cover the cost of the $65 million facility.[18]

Presidents[]

The Office of the President began with the university's founding in 1960 when Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr. became the founding president of the university. There have been six presidents of Sonoma State University.[8] In January 2016, the California State University Board of Trustees appointed as Sonoma State's next president.[19] Sakaki's term began July 1, 2016.[20]

Name Term
1 Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr. (1960–1970)
2 Thomas H. McGrath (1971–1974)
3 Marjorie Downing Wagner (1974–1976)
4 Peter Diamandopoulos (1977–1983)
5 David W. Benson (1984–1992)
6 Ruben Armiñana (1992–2016)
6 Judy K. Sakaki (2016–present)

Campus[]

Sonoma State occupies approximately 269 acres (109 ha) on the east side of the main suburban area of Rohnert Park. Directly adjacent to the main campus is Wolf's Den Plaza, a frequent hangout and eating area for SSU students. As of fall 2018 Sonoma State has the third-largest White enrollment percentage of Americans in the California State University system.[21]

University library[]

Ruben Salazar Hall, formerly Ruben Salazar Library

The three story, 215,000-square-foot (20,000 m2) library is separated into two wings housing different areas on each floor. The building has a total of 5 acres (2.0 ha) of indoor floor space and 50,000 feet (15,000 m) of shelving. The library houses a collection of writings and original letters from Jack London, as well as memorabilia relating to his works.[22] The $41.5 million building is named after Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic cartoon, and his wife Jean, who donated $5 million to help build and furnish the structure.[23]

Campus bookstore[]

The Sonoma State Bookstore was operated by Sonoma State Enterprises, Inc. until the spring of 2006 when the operation was outsourced to Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, despite some opposition from faculty members.[24]

Off-campus sites[]

In addition to the main campus, the university also owns and operates two off–campus study sites for students of the natural sciences. The first site is the 411-acre (166 ha) Fairfield Osborn Preserve, located on nearby Sonoma Mountain.[25] The second site is the 3,200-acre (1,300 ha) Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in Mendocino County.[26] Both offer opportunities for research and hands-on education to students of the university. Sonoma State also offers students the opportunity to obtain their bachelor's degree in liberal arts partly through classes offered at Napa Valley College and the Vallejo Satellite Campus of Solano Community College.

Green Music Center[]

Music Education Hall (one of 4 components of the Green Music Center) opened its doors in 2008 to students taking classes in the two 60-person classrooms. The focal point of the Green Music Center is a 1,400-seat concert hall featuring precision engineered acoustics, named the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall.[27] The entire rear wall of the hall opens to lawn seating for a total of 4,000 additional guests.[14][28] The Hospitality Center, which includes a restaurant/executive conference center, opened in 2010. A $12 million donation from Joan and Sandy Weill, announced in March 2011, provided the funds to complete the concert hall for the fall 2012 opening. The 250-seat Schroeder Recital Hall opened in 2014.

Academics[]

Sonoma State offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level as of 2017. The school features a joint master’s degree program in mathematics with San Francisco State University and one of the only wine-business programs in the country.[29] Popular majors for undergraduates in 2018 included Business Administration (Management and Operations) at 18.43%, Psychology (General) at 9.02%, and Sociology at 7.05%. While popular majors for graduates were Business Administration (Management and Operations) at 24.70%, Education (General) at 16.33% and Student Counseling and Personnel Services at 11.95%.[30]

Rankings[]

The 2021 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings ranks Sonoma 14 on Top Public Schools and 48 on Top Performers on Social Mobility.[31] While Forbes ranked in 2019 the university 160th among public colleges, 90 among universities in the West, and 179 among "America's best value colleges".[29]

Schools and special programs[]

There are more than 65 departments and academic programs divided into six schools.[37] Each school offers major and minor courses for undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees

Hutchins School of Liberal Studies[]

The Hutchins School of Liberal Studies is a nationally–known interdisciplinary learning community within the larger institution of Sonoma State University.[38] HIPPS was under the direction of professor Francisco Vázquez for many years. Mario Savio's final teaching post was in Hutchins. Stephanie Dyer is the current director.

Wine business program[]

Sonoma State's location in the California Wine Country allows the school to offer the Wine Business program as well and related courses in viticulture. Sonoma State's program offers a curriculum targeted at the business challenges of the wine industry. Courses are offered in wine marketing, wine finance and accounting, human resources management, wine business strategies, wine production, operations, and distribution.[39]

Admissions[]

Fall All levels, freshman through graduate
*Demographics of student body 2020 [40] 2018 [21] 2017 [29]
Hispanic/Latino Americans 35% Null 30.6%
Mexican American/Chicano Null 24.9% Null
Other Latino American Null 7.7% Null
White 43% 44.2% 45.6%
Asian American 5% 3.5% 5.1%
Filipino American Null 1.6% Null
Pacific Islander 0% 0.3% 0.2%
Black 2% 2.2% 2.3%
Native American/American Indian 0% 0.4% 0.4%
Multiracial Americans 6% 6.2% 6.5%
International/Non-resident alien 3% 2.8% 2.3%
Unknown 4% 6.2% 7%
Woman 64% Null 63%
Men 36% Null 37%

SSU has remained at a consistent ratio of 65:35 female to male students for the past few years.

Fall Admissions- Full Time Students (From SSU Common Data Sets)[41]
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Freshman Applicants 14,478 14,129 15,711 16,487 15,265
Admits 12,980 13,036 12,888 12,575 11,686
% Admitted 89 92 77 76 76
Enrolled 1,598 1,766 1,796 1,774 1,461

Associations and accreditations[]

Sonoma State is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Several of the schools within Sonoma State also have additional accreditations, such as the School of Business and Economics, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Sonoma State University remains the only California school that belongs to the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.[42]

Art from the Heart[]

An annual fundraising event, Art from the Heart, has taken place at the university since 1984. Held in the university's art gallery, the silent art auction raises funds for the art gallery's display, advertising, and lecture program by selling artwork created by invited professional artists.[43]

Student life[]

Athletics[]

Main article: Sonoma State Seawolves

Sonoma State teams compete in intercollegiate athletics as the Sonoma State Seawolves. Sonoma State University is an NCAA Division II member and part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) and the Pacific West Conference (PacWest). Ten of SSU's sports are in the CCAA, water polo is in the WWPA, and men's and women's tennis are in the PacWest.

Sonoma State athletics began in 1964 with the school's first men's basketball team. Through the years, the Seawolves have had various successes including national championships in 1990 (women's soccer), 2002 (men's soccer), and 2009 (men's golf). The school's traditional colors are navy, Columbia, and white. SSU athletic teams participate in the CCAA, an association within the NCAA's Division II. The SSU Athletic Department offers nine NCCAA women's sports teams and five men's teams. Women's track and field has recently been re-added to university's program.[44] Besides both being located in the west of California, but one in the south and the other in the north, Sonoma and Dominguez Hills have competed heavily as conference rivals in soccer.[45]

In the spring of 2020 it was announced that men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and women’s water polo would be disbanded due to insufficient funding.

Housing[]

Sonoma State provides suite, apartment, and townhouse style housing. There are six villages on campus, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Verdot, Sauvignon, Beaujolais, and Tuscany (named after wines). All units are fully furnished and carpeted with their own living rooms and bathrooms; with apartment units containing fully equipped kitchens. There is one main service desk for mail and packages, and meeting rooms and study/social spaces are available across campus. Each village has common laundry rooms (use is included in the rent), and robust WiFi is available in all residential and non-residential spaces across campus. In addition, there are two swimming pools/spas available to all students who live on campus.[46] Sonoma States dorms are ranked #25 in the nation as of 2015, according to Niche Rankings.[47]

Student organizations[]

Sonoma State University has over one hundred chartered student organizations, including fraternities and sororities. More than 20 sports clubs are offered. Several teams compete regionally and in national tournaments. These teams are formed, developed, governed, and administrated by students.[48]

Student government[]

Associated Students (AS) is a student-run and student-owned organization that represents the goals and interests of the student population. The AS Senate is the student government and board of directors of the corporation. AS also encompasses two smaller divisions, Associated Students Productions (ASP), which plans and produces on-campus concerts and student events, and Join Us Making Progress (JUMP), which organizes community service programs.

Notable faculty and alumni[]

Name Known for Relationship to Sonoma
Larry Allen Former Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Played on now defunct football team
David V. Brewer Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court Bachelor of Arts, Economics ('74)
Abdul Rahman Dahlan Member of the Parliament of Malaysia BA Economics & Management
Kevin Danaher Author and activist, co-founder of Global Exchange
William C. Davis Civil War historian Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts ('69)
Michael Fellows Noted computer science researcher BA Mathematics
Justin Gross Voice Over Actor BA Criminal Justice Administration
Sam Hernandez Arena Football League Hall of Fame lineman Played on now defunct football team
Mike Horner Adult Film Actor BA Philosophy, 1980
George Ledin Teaching how to program malware Computer science faculty
Andrew McGuire Public Health Advocate, Documentary Filmmaker, MacArthur Fellow Doctor of Humane Letters, Cal. State University, conferred at SSU, 1996,

BA History, English, 1971

Mike McGuire California State Senator[49] BA Political Science, 2002
Carole Migden Former California State Senator
Tendai Mukomberanwa Soapstone Sculptor Bachelor of Fine Arts
Carl Peterson Kansas City Chiefs Former president & general manager Coached on now defunct football team
Jon Provost Played Timmy Martin in the CBS series Lassie
Ulf-Dietrich Reips Pioneer of Internet-based research, Professor of Psychology MA Psychology, 1992
Jason Robinson American jazz saxophonist, electronic musician, and composer Jazz Studies and Philosophy
Carolyn Saarni Counseling psychologist, expert on development of emotional competence faculty
Greg Sarris Author and Native American leader faculty
Mario Savio Civil liberties activist faculty
Nancy Silverton Chef, baker, and author
Dave Smeds Science fiction author & Nebula Award finalist
Virginia Strom-Martin Former California State Assemblywoman
Steven Zaillian Screenwriter, Film Producer, Director

See also[]

References[]

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  2. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  3. ^ https://web.sonoma.edu/budget/campus-budget-plan.html
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Fall Term Student Enrollment". The California State University Institutional Research and Analyses. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "University Colors : Sonoma State University Identity Standards". www.sonoma.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-10-13.
  6. ^ Search CSU Degrees Archived 2016-05-26 at the Wayback Machine. Degrees.calstate.edu. Retrieved on 2013-07-21.
  7. ^ "Californioa State University Credential Programs : 2013-4" (PDF). Degrees.calstate.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Looking Back: 40 Years at Sonoma State University, 1961-2001," University Affairs Office, Sonoma State University, 2001.
  9. ^ "What life was like in Sonoma County 50 years ago". Sonoma Index Tribune. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  10. ^ "About the Building". Sonoma State University Library. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  11. ^ Norberg, Bob (June 3, 2006). "$29.5 million evolution of SSU's Darwin Hall complete". The Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, California. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  12. ^ "About Us". Santa Rosa Symphony. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  13. ^ Elia Powers (May 30, 2007). "No Confidence Vote at Cal State". Inside Higher Education. Archived from the original on August 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Bob Norberg (November 25, 2008). "Music Center Still Silent". The Press Democrat. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
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  16. ^ Bob Norberg, "Institute was thriving, 125-employee operation," The Press Democrat, Feb. 19, 2010, p. A5."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-21. Retrieved 2010-02-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ Nathan Halverson and Jeremy Hay, "FBI raids Sonoma State offices," The Press Democrat, February 19, 2010, pp. A1, A5."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2010-02-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ Cathy Bussewitz (April 15, 2011). "SSU students approve fee hike to build student center". The Press Democrat. Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  19. ^ Warren, Christi (January 27, 2016). "Judy Sakaki named president of Sonoma State University". The Press Democrat. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  20. ^ "CSU Trustees Appoint Judy Sakaki as President of Sonoma State University". California State University Public Affairs. California State University. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ethnicity Enrollment Profile". www.calstate.edu. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  22. ^ "Jack London Collection". Sonoma State University Library. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  23. ^ Bob Norberg, "SSU previews library: $41 million center to open in August," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, March 10, 2000, pp. B1-2.
  24. ^ Kathy Hillenmeyer, "SSU, Barnes & Noble to sign deal," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, July 6, 2006, pp. B1, 3.
  25. ^ George Lauer, "Nature's Haven," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, February 3, 2000, pp. D1, back.
  26. ^ Guy Kovner, "'A Piece of Heaven,'" Santa Rosa Press Democrat, March 28, 2004, pp. B1, 3.
  27. ^ "Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall". Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  28. ^ Tanya Schevitz, "Costly Musical Dream," San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 2007, pp. C1, 7.
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  30. ^ "sonoma state university programs". www.sonoma.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
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  38. ^ "Hutchins Department: Sonoma State University". sonoma.edu. Archived from the original on 2007-01-06.
  39. ^ Kevin McCallum, "SSU to offer wine industry M.B.A.," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, May 30, 2007, pp. E1-back.
  40. ^ "Ethnicity Enrollment Profile". www.calstate.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  41. ^ "Reporting & Analytics at Sonoma State University". Reporting & Analytics at Sonoma State University. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  42. ^ "Member Institutions". COPLAC: Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  43. ^ "Art from the Heart celebrates 30th anniversary". Sonoma State Star. Sonoma State University. January 21, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  44. ^ "Sonoma State University Athletics - About SSU Athletics". Sonomaseawolves.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  45. ^ "CCAA Champions". 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  46. ^ "Residential Education and Campus Housing". Residential Education and Campus Housing. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  47. ^ "Best Dorms - College Rankings - Niche". Colleges.niche.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  48. ^ "Center for Student Leadership, Involvement & Service at Sonoma State University". Sonoma.edu. 2014-11-04. Archived from the original on 2015-08-17. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  49. ^ "Biography : Senator Mike McGuire". Archived from the original on March 1, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°20′23″N 122°40′31″W / 38.33972°N 122.67528°W / 38.33972; -122.67528

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