As students and teachers gathered outside Sonoma State’s student center on Thursday afternoon to witness the town hall meeting organized by officials to address inquiries regarding the university’s recently announced budget cuts, tensions ran high.
“You made these decisions, these draconian decisions to cut athletics, to cut entire academic departments, to destroy the mature careers of tenured professors,” according to a speaker.
In an attempt to address what they claim is a nearly $24 million financial deficit, the university announced last week that it will be eliminating its entire athletics program, firing scores of teachers, and eliminating almost two dozen majors.
Administrators stated during the town hall that while these cuts are painful, they are essential for the university’s long-term viability.
Nevertheless, a lot of students claimed that the cuts caught them off guard and that they thought the university’s officials were ignoring their queries and worries.
It’s essentially the same responses—that is, no answers—that we have been receiving. One student remarked, “I mean, a lot of the questions they just didn’t answer.”
Eloira Smith was interviewed by CBS News Bay Area last week immediately following the announcement that their major will be among those eliminated. They expressed their unhappiness at the town hall, but they felt that it was a waste of time.
“To be honest, it’s somewhat of a joke. Numerous voices went unheard, numerous inquiries went unanswered, and numerous individuals were disconnected. I’m upset, it’s absurd,” Smith remarked.
One of the members of the Philosophy Department is John Sullins. He claimed to have been told that after this semester, he would not have a job. Additionally, he expressed his displeasure with the town hall’s virtual format to CBS News Bay Area.
“It wasn’t being heard by those who needed to hear it. They were merely images displayed on a wall, with no music or emojis added. According to Sullins, it was like speaking to a brick wall.
The administration has committed to more face-to-face discussions with staff and students in the future.
They’ll believe it when they see it, Eloira remarked. They want to keep fighting these cuts in every manner they can for the time being.
“We will not surrender without a struggle. Websites are also available. We have a petition, so please go,” Smith added.
To save the department of women’s and gender studies, there is an online petition. Another is trying to keep the athletics program afloat. Those petitions already have thousands of signatures.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.