Sonoma State University
| File:Ssulogo.gif | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1960 |
| Endowment | $21,052,222[1] |
| President | Dr. Ruben Armiñana |
Academic staff | 542 |
| Students | 8,100 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Suburban, 269 acres (main campus) |
| Nickname | Seawolves (Formerly Cossacks) |
| Affiliations | California State University system |
| Website | sonoma.edu |
| File:CSU.PNG | |
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California and lies approximately 10 miles south of Santa Rosa and forty miles north of San Francisco. Commonly referred to as SSU, Sonoma State, and Sonoma, the university is one of the smallest of the 23 state university campuses in California. The university offers over 65 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and boasts being the most requested campus of the CSU system.
History
Founding
Sonoma State College was established by the state legislature in 1960 to be part of the California State College system, later to become the California State University system. Classes offered by the university first opened to 250 students in June of 1961 in leased buildings in Rohnert Park where the college offered its first four year Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. With the completion of its two main classroom halls, Stevenson Hall, named for politician Adlai E. Stevenson, and Darwin Hall, named for Charles Darwin, developer of the theory of Natural Selection, the college moved to its permanent campus of 215 acres in 1966 where the first graduating class received their degrees.
Early Development
As enrollment increased, the school built more on campus facilities including Ives Hall for performing arts, The University Commons for dining, a small library, and a physical education facility now known as the “old gym”. These buildings followed the physical master plan of the school which stated that the facilities would be urban in character, defining the use of smooth concrete building façades with landscaped courtyards. Among the landscaping features added with these facilities were the “University Lakes”, two small reservoirs located behind the Commons next to Commencement Green, the site of the university’s annual commencement ceremonies. The lakes are stocked with small indigenous fish and are home to a large population of local waterfowl and have since become an important aesthetic feature of the campus.
In 1969, the academic master plan underwent a major revision as the first master’s degrees in biology and psychology were offered. The new cluster school concept, coupled with an even more heightened appreciation of the rural environment, influenced the new physical master plan. First to exemplify this new plan was the residence facility of 1972 named Zinfandel, a “village” of inviting stucco and redwood structures. The new Student Health Center used a primarily redwood façade with a landscaped ground cover of wild roses and poppies. In 1975 Nichols Hall, was built as the newest classroom hall and named in honor of Sonoma's founding president Ambrose R. Nichols.
Early development of the modern campus came to a close in 1976 when The Student Union was constructed between the main quad and the lakes. This building continued the use of the physical master plan, using primarily redwood and preceding the similarly built Carson Hall for Art classes, a childcare center, additional parking, and a computer center which was added on to the library.
The Modern University
In 1978 Sonoma State College Became Sonoma State University when the school officially gained university status. In response to this achievement, the surrounding community provided funds for the new university to build a large swimming pool which was completed in 1982 and the 500-seat Evert Person Theatre which was completed in 1989 and dominates the view when entering campus through the main drive. Further enrollment increases and a new goal of movement toward a residential campus as opposed to a commuter campus facilitated the building of Verdot Village in 1995.
Recent and Future Expansion
In May 2000, the Board of Trustees approved a new master plan, which added 48 acres to the campus. Rapidly accelerated growth of the on campus student body was alleviated by the construction of the third phase of on-campus housing named Sauvignon Village, offering housing to non-freshmen students. In the same year, the Jean and Charles Schulz Information center was completed to accommodate the expanded needs of the library and computing services. The state-of-the-art, high technology facility was built as a prototype library and information complex for the 21st century, housing over 400,000 volumes in its stacks. The center also houses an advanced Automated Retrieval System (ARS) which houses an additional 750,000 volumes in a computer managed shelving system in the library wing. A large portion of the funding to build the information center was donated by Charles Schultz, cartoonist and author of the popular Peanuts comic series, and his wife Jean.
In October of 2003, Beaujolais, the youngest of the residential villages was completed, offering another 655 beds to the rapidly expanding student body. The addition of this new village had made Sonoma State the most residential campus in the CSU system housing more students then any of its affiliates. It is anticipated that a new phase of student housing, Tuscany Village, expected sometime before 2010, will bring nearly 700 more beds to the campus to accommodate the growing number of freshmen and other students applying to Sonoma State University. This project was approved at the May 2007 meeting of the board of trustees and will bring Sonoma’s number of residential students to 3,100.
To support the current residential population of the campus, a student-financed Recreation Center was completed in fall 2004 and now acts as a social center and meeting place for a large portion of the Student body. Because of the new and innovative recreation center, the university was awarded an Outstanding Sports Facilities Award by the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association in 2005.
In January 2005, the university began the renovation of Darwin Hall, the now 40-year-old science building. The new 21st century building was designed to provide efficient academic classrooms and study areas for faculty and their students. The renovated building was completed and re-opened in fall 2006 and provides new laboratories and classrooms to support the needs of modern science curriculum. Like all new and renovated buildings at Sonoma State, Darwin Hall is also a model of energy efficiency.
The new property approved by the board of trustees in 2000 is the site of the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center, funded by private donors and currently under construction to be completed in 2008. The Center has been planned as an architectural ensemble of the finest acoustical quality; a unique cultural experience designed to enhance and emulate the groves, vineyards, and rolling foothills of Sonoma County as it becomes the new home of the Santa Rosa Symphony Orchestra.
A new social center for the university has been approved with construction to begin in the near future adjacent to the Recreation Center. The University Center as it will be called will be a new home for the campus bookstore, dining hall, administrative space, a conference center, and a movie cinema.
Campus
Sonoma State occupies approximately 269 acres on the east side of the main suburban area of Rohnert Park. Directly adjacent to the main campus is the popular, Wolf’s Den plaza, a popular hang out and eating area of SSU students. One of the most requested campuses in the CSU system and regularly named a “Best Value” College by Princeton Review, SSU has also been named one of the “most wired” campuses in the nation by Forbes magazine.
The original buildings of the university and those built in the same style, namely, The Student Union, The University Commons, Evert Person Theatre, and Stevenson, Darwin, Ives, Nichols, and Carson Halls, were all designed to accentuate an appreciation for urban architecture. As such, the buildings are all constructed using mainly smoothed or exposed aggregate concrete with some buildings preferring primarily redwood siding. The residential villages, though they were meant to continue in this tradition, show the first movements away from this plan as they employ stucco siding with terra cotta tile roofs.
Moving further from the original plan are Salazar Hall, the Schulz Information Center, and the Campus Recreation Center. These buildings mark a notable movement toward sustainability and modernized architectural aesthetics as opposed to the smooth concrete buildings of the past that were allegedly designed by an architect known for the designs of several women’s prisons.
Campus Recreation Center
The 59,000 square foot Recreation Center has become a model for sustainability. The center was recognized for a state-of-the-art design that maximizes functional space and demonstrates numerous efforts incorporating sustainable building techniques while using a selection of materials which reflect the surrounding rural county. Sustainable materials include the use of heat and UV ray reflective roofing, recycled rubber indoor track, recycled glass reinforced structural brick, recycled seat belts to upholster seating, and reclaimed water plumbing non-potable water systems. This reclaimed water plumbing makes this the first and largest building in Sonoma county to use such a system.
The Rec Center houses a large gym with fixed weight machines and free weights, a wide selection of aerobic and cardiovascular training equipment, an indoor track, climbing wall, exercise and dance studios, multiple basketball courts an indoor soccer court, billiards tables, locker rooms and a spa.
Library
The Jean and Charles Schulz Information center is one of the largest libraries in the CSU system and the state of California with a 400,000 volume general collection and with a 750,000 volume automated retrieval system capacity. The library opened in 2000 and now stands as one of the largest buildings in the university.
The three story, 215,000 square foot library is separated into two wings housing different areas on each floor. The building has a total of five acres of indoor floor space and 50,000 feet of shelving. There are over 1,000 seats for students to study and an outdoor study patio on the third “quiet floor” where absolutely no talking is allowed for those who prefer to study in complete silence. The library also houses a valued collection of writings and original letters from Jack London, as well as memorabilia relating to his works.
The $41.5 million building is named after Charles M. Schulz, the famed creator of the Peanuts comic cartoon, and his wife who donated a large sum of the money, $5 million, needed to build and furnish the structure. An additional $2.3 million went into furniture and equipment. The library is also well known for its mural honoring Cesar Chavez that can be found in the first floor.
The Green Music Center
The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center is projected to open its doors in fall 2007 to students, world-class musicians and thousands of guests. The focal point of the Green Music Center is a 1,400-seat concert hall featuring precision engineered acoustics. The entire rear wall of the hall will open to lawn seating for a total of 7,000 additional guests.
Complementing the concert hall will be the music center's academic wing where students can learn, create and experience music with master artists. The wing will be comprised of a 300-seat recital hall, large rehearsal hall, practice rooms, studios, departmental and faculty offices, meeting rooms to support the educational programs of the university and its regional partners, as well as a conference center and restaurant.
Natural Features
The Sonoma State campus blends man-made buildings with the natural plant life of the area. Large redwood trees are visible from nearly all vantage points on campus. Through the middle of the 269 acres the campus flows Copeland creek which flows in and along the west side of Sauvignon Village, through the schools butterfly gardens, exiting campus near the site of the Green Music Center.
Off-Campus Sites
In addition to the main campus, the university also owns and operates two off campus study sites for students of the natural sciences. The first site is the 411-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve located in nearby Glen Ellen. The second site is the 3,200 acre Galbreath Wild-land Preserve in Mendocino County. Both offer opportunities for research and education to students of the university.
Organization
Presidents
The office of the president began with the university’s founding in 1960 when Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr. acted as the founding president of the university. There have been a total of six presidents of Sonoma State University:
| Presidents of SSU | Years as President | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr. | (1960–70) |
| 2 | Thomas H. McGrath | (1971–74) |
| 3 | Marjorie Downing Wagner | (1974–76) |
| 4 | Peter Diamandopoulos | (1977–83) |
| 5 | David W. Benson | (1984–92) |
| 6 | Ruben Armiñana | (1992–Present) |
Academics
Sonoma State is thought of as a liberal arts university though it is known also for its strong schools of business & economics and nursing. The most popular schools of study by enrollment are business, liberal arts, and psychology. The school operates on the semester system with fall, spring, summer semesters and a short winter term called “intersession”.
Departments and Programs
The over 65 departments and academic programs are divided into seven distinct schools, all offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and courses and nearly all offering minors and doctorates.
- School of Arts & Humanities
- American Multicultural Studies
- Art & Art History
- Chicano and Latino Studies
- Communications Studies
- English
- French
- Hutchins School of Liberal Studies
- Modern Languages & Literatures
- Global Studies Program
- Music
- Native American Studies
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Spanish
- Theatre Arts/Dance
- School of Business & Economics
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Wine Business Program
- School of Education
- Curriculum Studies and Secondary Education
- Educational Leadership and Special Education
- Literacy Studies and Elementary Education
- School of Science & Technology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Fairfield Osborn Preserve
- Galbreath Wildlands Preserve
- Health Professions Advisory Program
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Department of Engineering Science
- Geology
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner Program
- Physics & Astronomy
- School of Extended Education
- Certificate Programs
- Contract Credit Programs
- EXCEL for Youth
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Liberal Studies BA Degree Completion Program
- MA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Action for a Viable Future
- Art Therapy
- Depth Psychology
- Organization Development Program
- MS in Computer and Engineering Science
- Open University
- Sonoma State American Language Institute
- Summer Session
- School of Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Counseling
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Gerontology
- History
- Human Development
- Liberal Studies
- Linguistics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Women's and Gender Studies
- Other Majors
- California Cultural Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies Special Major
- Special Major in Global Studies
- Other Minors
- Career Minor in Women's Health
- Interdisciplinary Studies Special Minor
- Women's and Gender Studies
- Wondolleck
Accreditations and Honors
Sonoma State is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Several of the schools within Sonoma State also have additional accreditations such as the School of Business and Economics which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, one of the world's most prestigious accreditors of business school programs.
In addition to Accreditation the school is also the only California university that is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, the prestigious group of 19 universities and colleges across the nation that are often described as the “Public Ivies.”
The Hutchins School of Liberal Studies
The Hutchins School of Liberal Studies is a cluster school within the larger institution of Sonoma State University. For lower division students, Hutchins offers an integrated General Education Program which provides a basic foundation for most majors at SSU. This program consists of one class taken each semester counting for 12 units and satisfying the students General Education requirements in two years. Upper division students are able to use the Hutchins program in order to complete an inter-disciplinary B.A. in Art in Liberal Studies, a B.A. in elementary education, or an accelerated program offering students to complete both a B.A. in elementary education and a teaching credential program in four years.
Wine Business Program
Sonoma State’s location in the California Wine Country allows the school to offer unique courses in the study of Wine Business and viticulture. While other universities have programs that emphasize grape growing and wine making, Sonoma State's program offers a specialized curriculum targeted on the business challenges of the wine industry. Courses are offered in Wine Marketing, Wine Finance and Accounting, Human Resources Management, Wine Business Strategies and Wine Production, Operations & Distribution.
Engineering Science
In response to the needs of the North Bay high tech industry, Sonoma State University has established a new Department of Engineering Science. The new department includes graduate and undergraduate programs with emphasis in electronics, computer hardware and software systems, photonics, and telecommunications. With the support of the local industries and community, the department's new laboratories located in the Cerent Engineering Science Complex are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments to conduct study and research.
Student Life
Athletics
Sonoma State’s teams compete in intercollegiate athletics as the Sonoma State Seawolves. Teams participate in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, an association within the NCAA’s Division II. The official colors of the university are Navy Blue and Columbia Blue. Sonoma State is best known in intercollegiate athletics for strong baseball and lacrosse programs while winning national, state and individual athletic titles in nearly all sports at the school. Sonoma State’s Baseball team is particularly noteworthy with repeated national championships, 28 players drafted to major league teams since the year 2000 and 68 players drafted since records began in 1975. Two NCAA national championships won by women’s soccer in 1990 and men’s soccer in 2002 also highlight SSU’s athletic achievements.
Mascots and the Cossack Controversy of 2000
The Sonoma State mascot is Lobo the Seawolf, lobo being Spanish for ‘wolf’. The mascot is derived from the Jack London novel entitled The Sea-Wolf in which the protagonist is pressed into service aboard a boat captained by a man named “Wolf”. The mascot was taken from the book for London’s ties with Sonoma County, specifically the nearby town of Glenn Ellen. Some resent the fact that the mascot is not a representation of a real animal and sometimes choose to equate it more readily to the Seawolf class attack submarine in the United States Navy.
The previous mascot of Sonoma State University was the Cossack, an eastern European community of fur traders known for superior horsemanship and ferocity in battle. The Cossacks held ties to the area through the 1812 fur trading posts at Fort Ross. This mascot was to be removed in the year 2000 by a vote of the academic senate after the mascot was deemed offensive to Jewish and women’s groups on campus. This being due to the fact that Cossacks we’re reportedly notorious for historically oppressing Jewish people and women. Various groups and individuals proposed new mascots such as the Rain Devils, Killer Bees, Trailblazers, Blue Wave, Blue Storm, and Condors as well as the Beagles in a nod to local legend and Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. Ultimately non-binding surveys and the final decision by then president Ruben Arminana favored the Seawolf as the new representation of the university.
Student Housing
Student housing at SSU has been applauded as some of the most comfortable dormitories in the state and even the country. Dormitories abandon the traditional use of high rise buildings and instead divide housing into distinct “villages” to promote a more comfortable and intimate residential experience. There are currently five residential villages on campus, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Verdot, Sauvignon, and Beaujolais, with plans for building a sixth in the near future, this new village will be named Tuscany in keeping with the tradition of wine related naming.
Zinfandel and Verdot Villages are the oldest of the five villages with suites consisting of two, four, and five rooms. Each room houses two roommates with the exception of the fifth room which houses a single student. These dormitories as well as the adjacent Cabernet village are intended solely for the housing of freshmen with social buildings such as the cafeteria, Zinfandel Market, and pool centrally located within the Zinfandel Courtyard. Each village is divided into 5 to 7 buildings each of which are divided into suites with rooms and common areas.
Sauvignon and Beaujolais Villages are the two newest dorm villages intended for sophomores and upper classmen with the exception of Sauvignon which has been recently opened to freshmen due to increased enrollment. Each of these villages offers the same suite style dormitories as the older villages with the addition of kitchens in each suite. The Beaujolais upper classmen dormitories are among the highest quality accommodations on campus with each three story building offering suites with hardwood floors, full kitchen, sitting area, four single student bedrooms and four private bathrooms.
Student Groups
Associated Students, Inc.
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is a student-run and student-owned organization that represents the student population. The ASI Senate is the student government and board of directors of the corporation. ASI also encompasses two smaller divisions, Associated Students Productions (ASP) which plans and produces on-campus concerts and student events and Join Us Making Progress(JUMP) which organizes community service operations.
Fraternities and Sororities
|
Sororities |
Fraternities |
Alumni
| Name | Known for | Relationship to Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Allen | Current San Francisco 49er offensive guard | Played on now defunct football team. |
| Kevin Danaher | author and activist, co-founder of Global Exchange | |
| Oscar de Haro | Vice President of Student Services at Napa Valley College | Political Science Major |
| Arthur Leigh Allen | Zodiac Killer Suspect | Biology Major, Chemistry Minor |
| Mike Horner | Film Actor |
Notes
External links
- Official website
- Official athletics website
- Department websites
- Official Associated Students, Inc. of Sonoma State University website
- [1] More information on the library can be found at SSU Library
