Sonoma State University
""

Faculty Retreat

The 2025-2026 Faculty Meeting & Retreat will be held on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

A coffee service will precede the event, beginning at 10:00am (final details to be confirmed). Following the event, there will be an informal meet-up at 3:50pm at Old Caz Brewpub.

Agenda

Morning Session - 10:30am - 12:15pm in Stevenson 1301 and Online (Zoom link)

  • Presidential Address: State of the Campus by President Spagna

    • Focus on SSU’s direction under new leadership

  • Faculty Perspectives: What We Need, What Must Change, and Where We’re Going

    • CFA Chapter President Asencio

    • Faculty Chair Gehlawat

      • What faculty need this spring

      • What must change to protect shared governance

      • A hopeful direction

  • Library Lightning Update

     

Lunch - 12:15pm - 1:15pm, Boudin Bakery boxed lunches (limited vegan and vegetarian options available, estimated attendance gauged from past event participation)

SSU Branding Sticky-Note Wall (12:15–1:15 PM): During lunch, in the Stevenson Lobby, attendees are invited to participate in a sticky-note activity intended to gather community input before the launch of the university’s external marketing campaign. Using a series of guiding prompts, faculty and staff may contribute words, ideas, and short reflections about SSU’s identity, values, and story. For those who are not able to attend in person, the same prompts are available through an online input form

 

Afternoon Sessions (some concurrent, all in-person only format):

  • Session A — Academic Restoration & New Pathways - 1:15pm - 2:00pm in Stevenson 1201 (concurrent), hosted by APARC Chair, Dr. Diana Grant

    • Curricular task forces, reinstatement pilots, and new program development.

  • Session B — Governance & Transparency: “Never Again” - 1:15pm - 2:00pm in Stevenson 1202 (concurrent), hosted by Chair of Budget and Data Transparency Task Force, Dr. Anastasia Tosouni

    • Building structures to protect shared governance and prevent unilateral cuts; advancing budget transparency.

  • Session C — Academic Freedom: Protecting the University’s Core Mission - 2:00pm - 2:30pm in Stevenson 1202, hosted by AFS Chair, Dr. Alison Ford

  • Plenary Session Restorative Practices: Repairing Our Community - 2:40pm - 3:40pm in Stevenson 1202, hosted by OPHD's Center of Restorative Practices Julie Vivas, J.D. and Dr. Marcus Adéshima Penn

    • A facilitated restorative session to develop tools to rebuild trust and establish shared agreements for collaborative governance.

 

Closing Circle & Commitments for 2025 - 3:40pm - 3:50pm in Stevenson 1202 (in-person only format)

 

Please contact the Office of the Academic Senate with any questions regarding the Faculty Retreat.