April 2024 A&F Times
April Column
With spring in full bloom around us, it brings with it a sense of renewal. The days are getting warmer and longer, the grass is greener, and the flowers are blooming. This time of year feels like a refresh, and reminds me of all the work we're doing as a university to refresh our own campus.
Facilities Management is tasked, via Executive Order 847, with managing and maintaining the buildings, grounds, and infrastructure that make up the largest asset in the California State University system, the university campus. It has been more than 60 years since Sonoma State University’s founding as “Sonoma State College” in 1960, and like most aging assets, the campus requires ongoing maintenance and renovation to continue to serve the needs of Sonoma State’s students, faculty, and staff. It is estimated that the 23 campuses across the California State University system have a deferred maintenance (DM) backlog of $6.5 billion dollars. SSU’s share of this deferred maintenance is valued at $474 million. While the recent remodel of Stevenson Hall helped to reduce the campus’ deferred maintenance backlog by $50 million, there is still significant work to be done.
The remaining backlog is dispersed across the following areas:
- $150 million - Deferred Maintenance, Renewal, Capital Infrastructure Improvement Projects (State Funded)
- $298 million - Academic Projects (State Funded)
- $25 million - Self Support and Other Projects (Non-State Funded) Facilities Management is continuously evaluating campus and works with the Chancellor’s Office as new projects are identified.
The current five-year Capital Outlay Plan can be found on the Cal State website. As part of the university’s continual renewal investment efforts, there are several major and minor capital projects currently underway:
Major Capital Projects
- Creation of a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Cooperage
- Electrical main underground utility copper wire (Feeder 1 & 2) replacement
- Installation of new 12Kv utility vault Solar/Battery in Parking Lots: E, F, J, R6, & R7
- Microgrid to support emergency power needs
- Campus main electrical selector switch project
- Water utility infrastructure renewal & Master Plan (includes North Lakes revitalization project & underground water pipe replacement)
Minor Capital Projects
- Energy Project Nichols & Carson HVAC Pneumatic Controls to DDC
- Central Plant Pony Boiler Replacement
- Art Pump House Repairs
- Schulz UPS Replacement
- Darwin HVAC IDEC Units
- Art HVAC Mechanical Roof Top Repairs
Facilities Management oversees the design, pre-construction, and construction of these projects in addition to receiving an average of 16,000 work orders per year. These services support the university’s mission by creating and maintaining a clean, safe campus environment where students can thrive in their academic endeavors. There is a lot of work to be done, but a lot to look forward to as we move the campus into a new chapter.
What's Happening on Campus
Let's Dig In!
Join us for the second annual Seawolves Dig In on April 25, 2024! The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to participate in hands-on gardening projects across campus as a celebration of Earth Week. Projects include: planting trees and native plants, Copeland Creek restoration, and more!
If you are interested in participating, please register in advance to receive additional logistical details. Sustainable SSU baseball caps will be provided to the first 150 folks to sign up, and each person will be assigned to a team based on their preferred tasks. No experience or equipment is needed! Gloves, tools, and directions, along with morning refreshments, will be provided. For further questions, please contact Kelsey Moss at kelsey.moss@sonoma.edu.
A New Vision of Justice
Sonoma State University is thrilled to announce Candice C. Jones, President and CEO of Public Welfare Foundation (PWF), the country’s only endowment fund dedicated exclusively to investing in transformative approaches to youth and adult criminal justice, as its next featured speaker for its Conversations with Black and Brown in Blue speakers series. Candice C. Jones will be on campus on April 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm at the Student Center for a one-on-one conversation with Nader Oweis, Chief of Police for Sonoma State University. The fireside chat is part of Sonoma State’s commitment to hosting dynamic and important conversations that foster understanding. Students and the surrounding community are encouraged to attend in person or via Zoom. There will be a Q&A portion open to the audience following the fireside chat. Candice has led Public Welfare Foundation, as its President and CEO since 2017. In that role, she has focused her efforts on catalyzing a transformative approach to justice that is community-led, restorative, and racially just through investments in criminal justice, and youth justice reform.
Last Call for Fridays at Four!
There are just two more Fridays at Four as we wrap up the spring semester! Don't miss your final chances to socialize with fellow colleagues. Complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be available to purchase non-alcoholic beverages, as well as beer and wine.
April 12 at Overlook (on the third floor of the Student Center)
May 10 at Stomping Grounds Patio (weather permitting)
If you questions regarding this event, please contact Culinary Services at culinary.services@sonoma.edu.
Shoutouts!
Huge kudos to Koushik Damera for the great work on the major MySSU/MyHR migration to a more secure environment! In the weeks leading up to the migration, Koushik partnered externally with the Chancellor's Office and Unisys and internally with Louis Wurz-Wilfong to ensure that all connections to third party applications were functioning. Over the downtime weekend and Monday morning, he actively worked to resolve any issues that presented to minimize the impacts on Sonoma State's campus community.
Thank you to Jon Byers for the excellent work supporting the Financial Aid team in the FAFSA project! There are some very challenging components and Jon focused on delivering the best outcome for the team. From Susan Gutierrez and Julia Ibanez, "Jon went above and beyond to ensure we were ready to receive 24/25 FAFSA data. Despite his huge workload, his problem-solving skills and technical knowledge proved invaluable during this critical transition. Without his assistance we would not be able to start 24/25 processing. We appreciate you!"
The Seawolf Living team is going viral! Their social media team has one video with nearly ONE MILLION views and another with over 350K! Click the links below to check them out.
"I told you we needed more glitter", 900K+ views, 60K+ likes
"Everything's gonna be okay", 350K+ views, 25K+ likes
An Old Friend Makes a Triumphant Return
As many of you remember, Stevenson Hall contained a large Magnolia Tree in the courtyard prior to its renovation. The tree was a gift to the University from the graduating Class of 1966 and lived in that location for upward of 50 years, until the renovation. Unfortunately, relocating the tree was not possible due to its advanced age, size, and location, so multiple cuttings were taken from the tree in order to hopefully one day continue its legacy. The Biology Department rooted and raised the cuttings over in the Raymond Burr Greenhouses over the past four years, and presented one to Facilities last fall with the aim of replanting it in an area around the new Stevenson Hall. A few weeks ago, Landscape Staff planted the rooted tree cutting just north of Stevenson Hall near the disc golf course, and placed the original gift plaque at it's new home. The Landscape team will endeavor to care for this tree with the aim of honoring the legacy of the Class of '66. A special thanks to both Kandis Gilmore and George Atkinson for the initiative and care they showed in completing this project.
Cabernet Village Open Houses
Looking for a new place to call home? Cabernet Village Apartments at Sonoma State will be opening up for new residents this summer! Those interested in learning more are encouraged to attend one of two open houses this spring. During the open houses, the Cabernet Village team will be on site answering questions and giving tours of the standard 2 bedroom floorplan.
Cabernet Village Apartments Open Houses
Tuesday, April 30th, 11am-2pm
Wednesday, May 8th, 11am-2pm
Muscat, Cabernet Village (see map)
No RSVP is required, stop by whenever you can! Any questions can be directed to cabernet.village@sonoma.edu.
Anniversaries & New Hires!
Welcomed to SSU in March
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Bryan Dinno | Payables |
| Christopher Keller | Kitchens |
Celebrated Anniversaries in March
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Jason Csontos | Environmental Health & Safety |
| Danika Hubbard | Kitchens |
| Kenneth Russum | Operations & Engineering |
| Michael Peters | Kitchens |
| Frank Soll | Operations & Engineering |
| Jason Hight | University Police |
| Leila Kinson | Parking |
| Lauren Antoni | University Culinary Services |
| Mark Van Aggelen | Mail & Receiving |
| Ryan Johnson | Enterprise Applications |
| Steve Bartnowski | Maintenance |
| Gabriela Chew | Campus Prints |
| Eulogia Sanchez Sandoval | Housekeeping |
| Greg McDivitt | Landscaping |
| Melissa Jacobi | Housekeeping |
| Jennifer Aaseth | IT Project Management Office |
| Vaughn Bellwood | Enterprise Infrastructure Services |
| Ming-Lan (Joy) Sun | Purchasing |
| Haywood Brown | Operations & Engineering |
| Kevin Dahlstedt | Operations & Engineering |