March 12, 2021 Minutes SSE Board of Directors
Minutes
SONOMA STATE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Minutes
March 12, 2021MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ms. Ashley Blaylock
Mr. Jonathan Juarez Dominguez
Dr. John Kunat
Dr. Kyuho Lee
Ms. Joyce Lopes
Mr. Neil Markley, Ex-Officio
Mr. Robert Martinez
Dr. Karen Moranski
Ms. Emily Lusk Porter
Dr. Gregory Sawyer
Dr. John Urbanski
Ms. Amanda Visser, Ex-Officio
Mr. Fred Vaske
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ms. Melissa Kadar
Dr. Mario Perez
Dr. Judy Sakaki
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ms. Jill Crenshaw
Dr. Jerlena Griffin-Desta
Ms. Nancy Keller
Ms. Jessica Way
20.26 Call to Order
Ms. Lopes called the meeting to order at 1:06pm.
20.27 Approval of the December 11, 2020 Minutes
The minutes from December 11, 2020 were provided to the Board via email prior to the meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously with no changes.
20.28 President’s Report
Dr. Griffin-Desta presented the President’s report on behalf of Dr. Sakaki. She shared that the President signed a letter in support of increasing Pell grants in California.
20.29 University Report
Dr. Moranski shared that Sonoma State University is open for enrollment applications through March 21.
She also shared that more than half of the target transfer enrollment deposits have been made thus far. Scholarships are being provided for transfer and first-time, first year students. Also, the WASC group completed a follow-up visit and commended the University for our progress toward accreditation goals. Based on the number of Title 3 and Title 5 grants, Sonoma State University has been granted HSI status,
20.30 Vice President of Student Affairs Report
Dr. Sawyer discussed the All-Inclusive Experience package which is an incentive plan to encourage students to take advantage of on-campus housing.
Dr. Sawyer also shared that close to 1,000 pounds worth of food was picked up last week to support Lobo’s Pantry, which has been a beneficial resource to the students.
Dr. Sawyer conferred that there are 502 residents on campus this semester. These numbers are strong in comparison to other CSU campuses. CARES has handled 524 cases this semester compared to 500 cases for the entire previous year.
The Student Health Center distributed the first dose of vaccines to health center staff and nursing and teaching students.
20.31 Associated Students Report
Mr. Dominguez shared that the Associated Students election had taken place and the AS YouTube channel is up and running. The Children’s School has welcomed a new interim director and JUMP has created a program through which students can sign up to become pen pals with senior citizens.
20.32 Report from SSU Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer and Chair of SSE Board of Directors
Ms. Lopes shared that COVID cases on campus remain low, with no new cases in the last two weeks. Ms. Lopes noted that Sonoma County will be moving to the red tier soon
Ms. Lopes is co-chairing a group with Dr. Moranski that is working on the logistics of fall repopulation.
Additionally, there will be a budget deficit this year, but the Governor has indicated that he will be adding additional funding for the CSU. Even with this additional funding, it will take several years for the University’s budget to completely recover.
To assist with the deficit, an Early Exit Program is currently being offered to eligible University employees.
20.33 Chief Operating Officer’s Report
Mr. Markley discussed the Seawolf All-Inclusive Experience incentive program targeted to attract and retain students in housing and the culinary program.
Mr. Markley provided an update on our first PPP loan to grant application as well as our second PPP loan application.
We are budgeting for 900 students on the meal in the 21-22 fiscal year. Ms. Keller and her team have been doing a fantastic job planning and preparing for our reopening.
20.34 Chief Financial Officer’s Report
Ms. Visser reviewed the February 28, 2021 Statement of Activity and Statement of Net Position.
20.35 ACTION ITEM: SSE Operating Model
Mr. Markley stated that the COVID-19 pandemic and on-going enrollment decline has had a profound impact on the operational and financial stability of Sonoma State Enterprises. Mr. Markley presented three potential operating models, sharing the potential positive and negative impacts of each model, as well as financial projections.
No vote was taken and an additional Board meeting will be scheduled to discuss and vote on this item.
20.36 Property Sale
Mr. Markley shared that Sonoma State Enterprises has decided to put their two parcels of land up for sale in an effort to mitigate financial losses caused by COVID-19 and decreased enrollment.
20.37 Other Non-Action Items
None.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:05pm.