November 2023 A&F Times
Table of Contents
- November Column
- What's Happening on Campus
- Sustainability @ SSU
- Seawolves in the Community
- Anniversaries & New Hires!
November Column
Dana Twedell, AVP Facilities
Planning & Operations
As we app roach the end of the year, I find myself both reflecting on the past and excited about the future. Looking back on the last year at Sonoma State, we’ve made great strides towards our renewable energy goals as well as some major campus infrastructure improvements. Our Solar, Battery & MicroGrid project will continue throughout the first half of next year, and is expected to be complete in Summer 2024 (though you can enjoy the perks of covered parking in Lots E and F already!). The solar system will produce 4.5 megawatts of energy and it is estimated we’ll see $6 million in PG&E energy savings over the next 30-years.
Additionally, we have two main underground electrical feeders as part of our power distribution to campus that are original 1960’s infrastructure. Thanks to our partnership with the Chancellor’s Office, we were able to acquire the necessary funding to replace both electrical feeders that were well beyond their life cycle and the project is scheduled to be completed January 2024. Our next major project in conjunction with the Chancellor’s Office will be addressing our water utility underground infrastructure, which also dates back to the 1960’s. The first phase of the project will focus on the North Lakes, which originally had a depth of 6 to 8 feet. However, with more than 60 years of decomposed organic material, dust, dirt, and ash, the lakes are now just 2 to 4 feet in depth. We plan to get the lakes back to their original depths and install new pumps and aeration to improve the quality of the water. We are currently seeking state or federal grants to help us budgetarily on this project.
Bridge over the North Lake
Did you know that this particular water feature is considered a secondary backup to both our irrigation and for our building sprinkler fire suppression systems?
I’m grateful to work for such a beautiful university and be a member of the CSU. As an alum of a CSU myself, it's a great privilege to now have the opportunity to be a staff member of Sonoma State, and I’m grateful to be a part of this great story. I can't wait to see what the year ahead has in store for us.
- Dana Twedell, AVP Facilities Operations & Planning
What's Happening on Campus
A&F staff dressed in costumes for Halloween
Spooky Season Comes to an End
Members of A&F brought the Halloween spirit this year! The team met in Seawolf Services for a festive photo on Halloween.
Will the M&M's return in 2024? Will a new candy take over the suite next year? Stay tuned to find out...
An Idea Brought to Life
After students expressed interest in a disc golf course on campus, Facilities Management teamed up with SSU student Thomas Hurrell, to bring the project to fruition. The course is located on the lawn north of Stevenson Hall and has six holes. An official "grand opening" is in the works, but the course is complete and open for all to enjoy now!
Let's Celebrate!
Save the date! The 2023 Campus Winter Celebration will be taking place in the Grand Ballroom on Friday, December 1st from 2-4pm! Light refreshments will be provided and campus is encouraged to share their favorite photo memories from 2023 to be featured in a slideshow at the event. Photo submissions can be uploaded through November 27th at 5pm.
Sustainability @ SSU
Facilities Management has partnered with a local agency to utilize goats and sheep for managed grazing of specified areas on campus. The intent is to reduce available fire fuel and control vegetation in difficult-to-access areas by clearing dry, dead weeds, and eliminating both invasive and noxious species like thistle and blackberry. The first location for grazing will be the southern area surrounding the track. This ecologically conscious method of vegetation management is a part of the University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy, which encourages non-chemical methods of control for weeds, brush, and associated areas. In addition to being an efficient method of vegetation management, it also helps campus fulfil our commitment to sustainability!
Seawolves in the Community
Sonoma State University Police have teamed up with local community partners for a Holiday Toy, Warm Clothing, and Food Drive. Between November 1st and 27th there will be bins distributed throughout campus to collect donations. Gift cards can also be purchased and delivered directly to SSUPD. If you have questions about the drives, please reach out to SSUPD at police@sonoma.edu.
Anniversaries & New Hires!
Welcomed to SSU in September
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Kenneth Njonge | Housekeeping |
| Bernardo Herrera Arguelles | Housekeeping |
Anniversaries Celebrated in September
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Chelsea Cox | Housekeeping |
| Victoria Chavez | IT Project Management Office |
| Michael Kinton | Kitchens |
| Douangdeaune Phongphouvanh | Housekeeping |
| Scott Derum | Operations and Engineering |
| Bryan Carter | Landscaping |
| William Fulton | Operations and Engineering |
| Nicole Hill | Accounting/Financial Reporting |
| Guadalupe Garcia-Torres | Receipts Receivables |
| Troy McArdle | Landscaping |
| Corey Chattey | Campus Prints |
| Ruth Salazar | Kitchens |
| David Alves | Housekeeping |
| Kurt Parks | Operations and Engineering |
| Louis Wurz-Wilfong | Enterprise Infrastructure Serv |
| Rosie Schramm | Workstation Security & Services |
| Dustin Mollo | Enterprise Infrastructure Serv |
| Shawn Potts | Operations and Engineering |
| Patricia Couret | Facilities Administration |
| Celestino Martinez | Operations and Engineering |
| Lori Palmer | Housekeeping |
| Juan Bernade | Kitchens |
Welcomed to SSU in October
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Sarah Campbell | Kitchens |
| Kelcey Trefethen | Environmental Health & Safety |
Anniversaries Celebrated in October
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Anthony Milani | Campus Prints |
| Matthew Ali Witzel | Housekeeping |
| Jamie Hermann | Facilities Administration |
| Bradley Starkey-Owens | Workstation Security and Svcs |
| Tyrone McCarter | Housekeeping |
| Ignacio Gallegos | Seawolf Services |
| Koushik Damera | Enterprise Applications |
| Lucia Silva | Housekeeping |
| Franklin Reed | Operations and Engineering |
| Chandra Holte | Human Resources |
| Joshua Anderson | Enterprise Applications |
| Ruben Sanders | Housekeeping |
| Adelino Alves | Housekeeping |
| George Atkinson | Landscaping |
| Natalie Sanchez | University Budget and Planning |
| Amanda Visser | Accounting/Financial Reporting |
| Ira McKern | Operations and Engineering |
| Michael Nelson | Enterprise Infrastructure Serv |
| Donald DuVall | Kitchens |
| Kindra Kautz | Conference and Event Services |
| Tiffany Perry | Payroll and Benefits |
| Daniel Kizirian | Operations and Engineering |
| Daniel Garcia | Housekeeping |
| Jenifer Barnett | Purchasing |
| Jessica Way | Entrepreneurial Activities |
