Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University Summary

Sonoma State University is a campus of the California State University system located in Rohnert Park, California (about seven miles south of Santa Rosa and fifty miles north of San Francisco and Oakland). As the school is located in Sonoma County, a world-famous wine-growing region, one unique and popular program at SSU is the Wine Business Program. Sonoma State University Campus is also the host for the public Technology High School, a small high school with approximately 250 students and having a focus on technology, math, and science, created using public and private funding. Sonoma State University opened its doors in 1960 and for much of the college’s history primarily functioned as a commuter school. In the 1970s, this participation was important since many of the students at Sonoma State College, to be changed to University status in 1975, were Vietnam-era veterans. Thanks in part to the building of these villages, Sonoma State has been able to attract a more traditionally aged (18-24) student body. Sonoma State teams, called the Seawolves, compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, an athletics conference in the Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Sonoma State fields thirteen teams for men and women for the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Sonoma State’s lacrosse teams often do well and were rated #2 in their division nationwide by the USLIA for the 2005 season. Football is no longer played at Sonoma State. Two Sonoma State teams have won NCAA Division II National Championships: Women’s Soccer in 1990 and Men’s Soccer in 2002. Sonoma State has had many All-Americans and counts among its alumni San Francisco 49er offensive lineman Larry Allen. The name change was controversial among the school staff and student body.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Sonoma State University History

Sonoma State was founded in 1960 through the signature of Senate Bill 43, creating SSU as a member of the California State College System. It moved to its present campus, 274 manicured acres, in 1966 after the completion of Stevenson and Darwin Halls. University status was granted in 1978 and the name was officially recognized as Sonoma State University.

Sonoma State University was founded as a teacher’s college and received university status in 1972. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its mission statement says in part, “The university offers a wide range of traditional disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary programs, so that students are able to explore diverse modes of inquiry, the understanding gained with the various disciplines, and a global spectrum of ideas, institutions, values, and artistic expressions.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

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Sonoma State University Academics

The University’s academic offerings are provided through the School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business & Economics, School of Education, School of Extended Education, School of Science & Technology, and the School of Social Sciences. SSU is home to 36 academic departments and offers 41 bachelor’s degrees and 14 master’s degrees. Sonoma State also offers a joint degree in mathematics through a partnership with San Francisco State University and a joint degree in educational administration through a partnership with University of California, Davis. Nine different credential programs are also offered in different teaching and education-related fields.

Sonoma State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 6 colleges: the School of Arts & Humanities, the School of Business & Economics, the School of Education, the School of Extended Education, the School of Science & Technology, and the School of Social Sciences. The Hutchins School of Liberal Studies is a cluster school with an interdisciplinary program.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as Chicano and Latino studies, English, music, economics, biology, kinesiology, nursing, anthropology, environmental studies, and sociology. Students in the Hutchins School earn a B.A. in Liberal Studies, and lower division students can take classes to satisfy their General Education requirements.

Graduate programs are offered in 15 areas, including master’s level programs in biology, counseling, education, English, nursing, and public administration. There is also a joint doctorate in educational administration with the University of California, Davis.

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Sonoma State University Unique Programs

The Chicano and Latino Studies program examines the social and historical developments affecting Chicano and Latino cultures in the United States. It allows students to examine mainstream American and Chicano culture from linguistic, ethnic, and contemporary standpoints. The B.A. in Chicano and Latino Studies prepares students for careers in bilingual education, criminal justice, and social services.

Sonoma State University offers the country’s first university program focused solely on the business of wine. SSU is located in the heart of America’s wine country, making it suited to this academic venture.

Sonoma State’s School of Extended Education offers, with the Hutchins School, a degree completion program in liberal studies and a master’s in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on “action for a viable future,” including social and environmental issues. There are also certificate programs in areas such as green building, conflict resolution, paralegal program, and emergency & disaster management. There is a wine business program for professionals in Sonoma County’s wineries and vineyards.

Sonoma State is also home to the CSU Center for Distributed Learning, which serves the entire California State University system in development of ways to mesh technology with teaching and learning.

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Sonoma State University Financial Aid

Among its various private scholarships, SSU also offers and participates in programs offering the Federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant, State University Grant, FSEOG, and EOPG. Federal Work Study opportunities are available for qualified students. And the University also offers Perkins and Stafford loan options. For students who are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours, 12 hours must be completed to maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain in “Clear” standing with the financial aid office.

Required student fees at Sonoma State University are $1,808 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for eligible students. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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Sonoma State University Students

Student life at Sonoma State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, professional and academic organizations, cultural, political, and religious groups, and special interests such as the Aikido Club, the Go and Chess Club, and Wine Sense. There is a student newspaper. There is a recently built student recreation center, which includes a climbing wall.

On campus cultural activities include the annual Green Music Festival of summer concerts, musical performances, art exhibits, and lectures, and a film series.

The Campus Life office at SSU makes it easy to join or start up an exciting club on campus. If a student is interested they can find directories, instructions, leadership guidance, current news, and mailboxes for the dozens of student organizations on the SSU campus. There are also a number of Greek letter organizations, fraternities and sororities, both social and academic in nature. SSU also offers a unique leadership program that trains students to become tomorrow’s leaders through hands-on experience and service. And the women’s resource center enriches the lives of campus women through education, support, and advocacy.

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Sonoma State University Local Community

Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California, which has a population of approximately 40,000 and is close to the larger city of Santa Rosa. The surrounding environment is largely rural, with dairy and wine as the main agricultural products. Sonoma County has many wineries and is adjacent to Napa Valley. Other nearby local attractions include the Charles Schultz Museum, the Luther Burbank Center for the Performing Arts, and outdoor recreational activities at several nearby state and county parks. The Pacific Ocean is approximately 25 miles away from SSU, and San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area is an hour’s drive. The Sierra Nevada mountains can be reached in a few hours.

The city of Rohnert Park is one of California’s many beautiful small town getaways, home to a population of 42,500 and designed specifically for family life. Amenities such as the gorgeous Foxtail Golf Club and other beautiful sites attract visitors from across the world. The Callinan Sports and Fitness Center is owned and operated by the city and offers exercise enthusiasts a massive facility for recreation and wellness. Other city activities include cooking, dance, fitness, programs for seniors, camping, and arts and crafts.

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