Resolution to Form a Faculty Ad Hoc Committee to Collaborate on Sonoma State’s “Turn-Around Action Plan”
Resolved: That the SSU Academic Senate reaffirms Sonoma State University’s identity as a liberal arts institution committed to offering a broad and diverse array of academic programs and athletics as essential components of a well-rounded educational experience; and be it further
Resolved: That the SSU Academic Senate upholds the principle of shared governance, recognizing the importance of transparent, collaborative, and respectful decision-making processes involving faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders; and be it further
Resolved: That the SSU Academic Senate emphasizes faculty’s primary responsibility and authority over the university’s curriculum, ensuring that any proposed changes to academic programs are driven by pedagogical considerations and institutional mission rather than short-term financial pressures; and be it further
Resolved: That in the absence of effective leadership and genuine shared governance, the SSU Academic Senate will form an ad hoc committee to develop a Turn-around Plan that centers academic excellence while meeting budgetary demands. This ad hoc committee will consist of up to eleven members, including representation from departments and programs facing elimination; faculty with experience or expertise in shared governance; faculty with deep institutional knowledge of SSU’s most successful periods; the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics; and a student recommended by the AS. The committee shall produce its plan within 30 days of its formation; and be it further
Resolved: That the SSU Academic Senate encourages Interim President Cutrer and the cabinet to recognize the Senate ad hoc committee as the primary faculty consultative body during the creation and distribution of the Turn-around Plan; and be it further;
Resolved: That this resolution be distributed widely and with urgency to the following stakeholders for serious and timely consideration.
- U.S. Representative Mike Thompson
- Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire
- Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
- State Senator Christopher Cabaldon
- Assemblymember Chris Rogers
- Assemblymember Damon Connolly
- CSU Chancellor Mildred García
- SSU Interim President Emily Cutrer
- SSU Provost Karen Moranski
- SSU Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Monir Ahmed
- Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Ed Mills
- Vice President for Advancement Mario Perez
- Vice President for Student Affairs Gerald Jones
- California State University Board of Trustees
- All SSU Faculty
- All SSU Deans
- Associated Students
- SSU Senior Director of Athletics
- SSU Staff Council Chair, Gillian Estes
- CSU Board of Trustees
- Chair Elizabeth Boyd, Chair of the ASCSU
- Sonoma State Alumni Association
- Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
- Rohnert Park Mayor Gerard Giuduce
- Rohnert Park City Council
- Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp
- Santa Rosa City Council
- Cotati Mayor Susan Harvey
- Cotati City Council