Sonoma State cuts athletics because of dwindling budget
FRESNO, Calif. – Student athletes at Sonoma State are in limbo because of a recent decision to cut the entire athletic department and some major programs.
Sonoma State is located in Rohnert Park, a town in the Bay Area near Santa Rosa. Over 5,000 students are enrolled at Sonoma State.
Haley Ledemza, a junior at Sonoma State, said there have been different waves of emotions on campus.
“People are just feeling like they’re not heard, like they’ve been disenfranchised, and they do not know what to do,” Ladezma said. “So, unfortunately, I have heard a lot of people talking about how they’re dropping.”
Many faculty members at Sonoma State are out of a job. Dr. Andrew Jones, a member of the California Faculty Association”s Fresno Chapter said the decision to cut the athletic program at Sonoma state also puts those faculty members in limbo.
“Because this was done at the beginning of the this spring semester, they don’t even have that year’s time to go on the job market to apply for positions,” Jones said.
To add to the budget woes of Sonoma State, experts are warning there could be a $375 million shortfall for the CSU system. Governor Gavin Newsom has to propose the state budget for the upcoming year, and the State Legislature still has to approve it.
Closer to home in the Valley, Fresno State has a budget deficit of $19 million.
Fresno State President Dr. Saul Jimenez Sandoval said reaching out to local representatives is key.
“If they advocate to their elected officials for the CSU, for the funding to the CSU what happens? The $375 does not go through. If the $375 doesn’t go through, next year for us at Fresno State, it would be business as usual,” Sandoval said.
Jones warns if the budget isn’t approved CSU’s around the state could be faced with the same decision Sonoma State was forced to make.
“Sonoma State is pretty much the canary in the coal mine. So what’s happening there, could happen at any CSU campus next year or year after that,” Jones said.