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Rally at Sonoma State University Addresses Significant Budget Shortfalls
SONOMA, California - On Friday, students, faculty representatives from the California Faculty Association (CFA), and various unions are set to gather for a rally at Sonoma State University (SSU). This event will precede a legislative forum featuring multiple lawmakers who will engage in discussions regarding anticipated budget cuts impacting both SSU and the broader California State University (CSU) system.
The financial difficulties facing Sonoma State became stark when university officials disclosed in late January that they were confronting a staggering $23.9 million deficit for the fiscal year 2025-26. To mitigate this deficit, the administration revealed plans that include layoffs of faculty and staff, discontinuation of specific academic programs and majors, as well as halting all athletic funding.
State Budget Implications
Governor Gavin Newsom has also suggested reducing the CSU system's funding by approximately $375 million for the same fiscal year. “Rather than ensuring that students, staff, and faculty receive necessary resources to succeed, it seems inevitable that budget reductions will force individuals to do more with less,” commented CFA President Charles Toombs following Newsom’s proposal in January.
Impact on Faculty Positions
The layoffs announced by Sonoma administrators are projected to affect 46 teaching positions alongside four managerial roles and 12 other support staff members. The CFA emphasized that this total includes approximately 55 lecturer jobs. Interim President Emily Cutrer explained in a press release on January 22 that initial estimates indicated a $21 million shortfall last October; however, circumstances have worsened significantly since then due to several factors—most notably an alarming enrollment drop of nearly 38% over ten years which has severely hampered revenue streams unless directly tied to student enrollment.
"This long-standing budget deficit can be attributed not just to inflationary pressures on personnel costs or rising utility expenses but primarily points back toward declining enrollment figures," Cutrer articulated. "Student tuition fees coupled with state funding reliant on enrollment numbers make up essential parts of our financial foundation."
Pushing Back Against Cuts
The proposed cuts have met resistance from labor unions representing both educational personnel and other employees. An organized group called Save Seawolves Athletics has even filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education objecting specifically against eliminating athletics programs.
"We firmly believe that reversing these athletic program eliminations is paramount; alternatives should instead focus on mitigating adverse impacts faced by vulnerable student demographics,” declared Save Seawolves Athletics spokesperson in their announcement concerning legal action. The complaint highlights alleged procedural oversights impacting student involvement alongside deficient communication strategies between stakeholders such as coaches or athletes within decision-making processes.
A Call for Unity on Campus
The rally spearheaded by CFA is set for 1 p.m.. at Seawolf Plaza. Various unions including Teamsters Local 2010 along with United Auto Workers Local 4123 are expected participants along with Students for Quality Education—representative groups advocating collectively against draconian budget cuts across campus life.
Noteably MFA Design reaches out after gathering over 13k signatures , calling upon university leaderships reversal against previously mentioned cutbacks!
 

Cuts Expected Across Departments 
This difficult decision entails cutting down 23 academic majors plus graduate degrees , including popular fields such as geoscience disciplines along numerous humanities concentrations like English languages!
 

Description example :
 
 
Bach

d's Degree—as Earth Sciences...
 

B.A English Literature.... ...etc




  
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The scheduled legislative forum at <7pm inside Ballroom A within Student Center will see distinguished attendees co-chaired by state Senator Christopher Cabaldon & Assemblymember Damon Connolly.

Senators Mike Thompson among others will accompany faculty exchanges throughout discussions arousing community engagement towards realization viable recovery practices necessary whilst stabilizing CSU overall approach forward.”

Assemblymember Rogers suggested via email: "This event serves vital purpose giving local communities rightful platform hearing respectable feedback alongside transparency around future fiscal paths needed".