Resolution: Affirming the Value of Arts & Humanities & Naming the Harm of Program Discontinuances

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate of Sonoma State University formally affirms the irreplaceable value of the Arts & Humanities, recognizing these fields as critical to a comprehensive university education, civic engagement, and student success; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we recognize that the recent program eliminations extend beyond the Arts & Humanities and affirm our commitment to advocating for all affected faculty across disciplines.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate formally acknowledges and condemns the harm caused by the elimination of Philosophy, Women & Gender Studies, Theatre Arts, Dance, Art Studio, the English MA program, and other critical disciplines, including the displacement of faculty, the loss of student opportunities, and the long-term damage to our “Hispanic-Serving” institution’s academic integrity, status as a COPLAC member, as well as its overarching long-term sustainability and viability as an institution; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate demands that the SSU administration publicly acknowledge the harm done—to the faculty laid off, to the students who have lost programs central to their education, and to the remaining faculty forced to carry an untenable burden—and that this acknowledgment be made without justification, minimization, or excuse; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Academic Senate calls upon the administration to issue a public written acknowledgment–such as an open letter, a dedicated webpage, or a press release– recognizing the faculty members impacted by these cuts and the loss of their expertise, ensuring that their contributions are formally recognized rather than erased from institutional history. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate calls upon the administration to take immediate, concrete steps to rectify this harm, including but not limited to: 

1. Redacting the proposed cuts to faculty positions, including those in the disciplines and programs mentioned.

2. Providing professional and financial support to all laid-off faculty, including early job placement assistance, access to institutional resources, and severance protections;

3. Implementing immediate workload protections for remaining faculty, recognizing that the loss of entire departments has created an unsustainable burden;

4. Ensuring that core educational opportunities in the Arts & Humanities—including critical thinking, equity-focused curricula, and creative disciplines—are actively maintained and not quietly dismantled; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate rejects the premise that these losses can simply be "absorbed" by remaining faculty, and demands that the administration acknowledge, in writing, the real consequences of these discontinuances, including faculty burnout, diminished student access, and the destruction of entire fields of study; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate commits to ongoing advocacy to protect and restore programs in the Arts & Humanities, including the establishment of a working group to monitor the long-term impact of these cuts and provide recommendations for faculty and student support moving forward.

Approved by the Senate 2/27/2025