After months of turmoil at Sonoma State, a delegation from the California Legislature and Cal State University leadership have teamed up to announce the launch of the “Sonoma State Commitment” initiative composed of $45M in embedded state budget funding, to serve as a long-term university recovery plan, as well as an additional $5M to the CSU system to assist low enrollment campuses with expanded student outreach and recruitment. SSU Interim President Emily Cutrer: “The Legislative leaders and SSU leadership have listened carefully to the community and understand that Sonoma State is so much more than a university but also an economic powerhouse, a community hub, and a place where lives are changed for good. ... We can’t thank [Senate] Pro Tem [Mike] McGuire and the North Bay Legislative Delegation enough for investing in the future of this state right here at SSU. We’re confident this long-term recovery plan will catapult SSU into its next chapter of prosperity and innovation.” Key components of the initiative include: “Building a first-of-its-kind career center to connect students and graduates with local employers, launching an aggressive recruitment campaign to expand college access for thousands of students, investing in new academic degrees to address regional and statewide workforce needs, growing SSU’s nursing program to meet the growing demand from patients, regional hospitals and health centers, restoring some key faculty positions to ensure academic success, and helping fund Sonoma State’s Athletics program over the next few years.” The initiative is set to be voted on this week before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for final signature approval. (link)