August 2024 A&F Times
August Column
My team and I are very fortunate to interact with students almost every day. Providing so many of the student facing services allows us the opportunity to become a part of their Sonoma State journey, and these interactions serve as a reminder of who we serve each and every day, whiles also bringing us all a great deal of joy.
Even more gratifying, to me, are our student employees who work with us daily to not only provide services to our campus, but also to learn the ins and out of having a job. Personally, my time as a student employee at Sonoma State taught me a great deal, formed a piece of who I am and provided me some fantastic mentors and friends. This past year, through a leadership vacancy, I had a more direct role in managing one of my units. With that responsibility came the experience of directly leading and mentoring student employees. It’s been some time since I’ve had such direct interactions with the student employees, but quickly I relearned how rewarding and amazing the experience can be. If you haven’t had the opportunity to work with, lead or mentor students, I’d encourage you to find a way to do so. It takes a lot of work, but the rewards will be more than what you put into it. I can’t say the “work dad” moniker that a student bestowed upon me is one I enjoy, but I do appreciate the sentiment that I made a difference in the life of that student.
As we enter into another academic year, I want to say thank you for all the work you do for our students. While it can be easy to get swept up in the chaos of the work we do everyday, it's important to remember who we do it all for and take a moment to recognize the profound impact we all contribute to the Seawolf experience. A special thank you to all of you who work with, mentor and lead our student employees. Let’s continue to make a difference in the lives of our students and prepare the next generation to be knowledgeable, adaptable, impactful, and successful!
What's Happening on Campus
Seawolves Return!
The Move In Experience begins for both new and returning students on Thursday, August 15th! New first-year and transfer students will also be participating in the Noma Nation Orientation Week of Welcome from August 15th through 23rd. The WOW Week of Orientation is the last phase of the Seawolf Orientation and showcases even more of what SSU has to offer. Through small group activities, panel discussions, speakers, interactive theater, meeting new people (and maybe a llama or some goats), and an amazing Seawolf Search Scavenger Hunt that takes students to all nooks and crannies of campus, the newest students begin to find their niche and engage in the spirit, community and traditions that SSU has to offer!
Check your email for a link to sign up for a shift at Move In or WOW to help welcome our newest Seawolves to campus!
University Convocation
The annual University Convocation will take place on Monday, August 19th from 2-3pm at Green Music Center Weill Hall. This event marks the start of another academic year and brings all areas of the university together to celebrate that milestone. This year's program will feature remarks from Chair of the Faculty Emily Acosta Luis, Interim President Emily Cutrer, Provost Karen Moranski, and more. Additionally, University Advancement & the Academic Senate are teaming up to host a reception immediately following the program. The reception will take place in the Weill Hall Lobby from 3-4pm.
Seeking Community Input
The Administration & Finance Senior Leadership team is excited to announce the launch of a new community input project, and wants to hear your ideas to make our campus safer, more sustainable, and better for business! We are looking for innovative projects in three key areas: Safety, Sustainability, and Business Process Improvement
You do not need to be a subject matter expert in any of these three areas to submit a project idea. Project funding is anticipated to be $1,000 per project, and one project per area will be selected by committee for implementation. We welcome creative solutions and input from across the division to tackle challenges both large and small.
Examples of past project ideas include:
- First Aid Trainings
- Seawolves Dig-In
- Revamping Employee Onboarding & Engagement
How to Participate:
- Think Big: Consider the positive changes you want to see in our community.
- Be Specific: Provide detailed descriptions of your proposed project and projected cost to implement.
- Submit: Your ideas here through September 9, 2024.
- Collaborate: Selected projects will be supported by a representative from Risk Management and receive funding from Administration and Finance for implementation. Projects chosen will also be recognized with an award presentation during Campus Safety Week, September 15th-20th! Let's work together to create an innovative, improved and impactful campus experience!
For any questions, contact Kelsey Moss at kelsey.moss@sonoma.edu.
Meet the Team: Accounting & Financial Reporting
The accounting and reporting team serves the campus community by processing a variety of financial transactions. These include journal reclasses, charge backs, chartfield management, trust accounting inquiries and preparation of campus financial statements, including both Financial Information Reporting Management System (FIRMS) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) reporting.
Auxiliary Financial Services supports the Financial Service’s mission and serves as a resource to auxiliary officers, campus schools and departments and therefore the students of Sonoma State University. By serving as a resource Auxiliary Financial Services allows the campus’s approved Auxiliaries to stay in good standing with the Chancellor’s Office which helps enhance the overall mission of the University. Auxiliary Financial Services provides support to all three of the campus' auxilliaries - Sonoma State Enterprises, the SSU Foundation, and Associated Students.
So, who's behind each of theses tasks?
- Coordinating the closing of the books each month as well as year end deadlines and reporting for the University: Nikki Hill
- Journal Reclass, Inter-Unit (INT) journals, and Associated Students Accounting & Financial Reporting: Kevin Munoz Lopez
- University Bank reconciliation and Sonoma State Enterprise Accounting & Financial Reporting: Johna Shiflet
- University Chartfield Strings and University Foundation close, as well as Quarterly and Annual reporting: Kristin Hillman
- Tracking of all University and Auxiliary assets and inventories: Mark Harlin
- Coordinates external Audits and ensures all reporting deadlines are met: Amanda Visser
For more information on Accounting & Financial Reporting, or assistance with any of the tasks referenced above, visit the Accounting & Financial Reporting website.
Shoutouts!
Congratulations to Megan Christensen for her election to the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Professional Ticketing Association! This appointment is the result of her great work and reputation in the ticketing field. We are proud of her and lucky to have her representing SSU on this board!
Thank you to all those involved in another successful summer conference season! The hard work and dedication of our Conference & Event Services, Student Center Operations, Culinary Services, and Facilities Management teams (among others) made it possible for 6,000 guests to participate in various programs this summer, which helps to bring additional revenu and activity to our campus each summer. Great job to all involved!
Our Facilities Management team completed a request by REACH to add more ADA compliant rooms to their apartment inventory in preparation for this upcoming academic year. The request consisted of adding roll in showers and ADA auto openers at three different units. Per Housing & Fleet Operations Manager, Mark Utarid, "The work was extensive, challenging, and fulfilling to all involved." These rooms will provide a beautiful and safe living space for the prospective students who will occupy these areas, making SSU their home for the next year and beyond. A special shoutout to the following personnel for their attention to detail and hard work on this project:
- Electrical: Josh Gillespie (supervisor), Jack Ell, Ira McKern
- Maintenance: Kenny Russum (supervisor), Eanna McBrien, Keith Tucker
- Paint: Kevin Dahlstedt (supervisor), Patrick Mooney, Stefan Fecker
- Lock: Jason Scott (supervisor), Steve Bartnowski
- Plumbing: Scott Derum (supervisor), Jason Carrillo
- Housekeeping: Melissa Jacobi (lead), Umbra Cox
- Front Office: Jamie Herman
Anniversaries & New Hires!
Welcomed to SSU in July
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Sean Pentecost | Capital Planning Design & Construction |
| Alejandro Fernandez | Housekeeping |
| Karoliny Mitchell | University Police |
| Randy Cortez Castellanos | Payroll & Benefits |
| Madeline Nantell | Entrepreneurial Activities |
Celebrated Anniversaries in July
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Gustavo Pimentel Perez | Kitchens |
| Dylan Ratto | Housekeeping |
| Jason Scott | Operations & Engineering |
| Dana Twedell | Facilities Administration |
| Ekaterina Zaitseva | Kitchens |
| Remy Williams | Entrepreneurial Activities Marketing |
| Adam Peters | University Police |
| Jose Aceves | Operations & Engineering |
| Megan Christensen | Box Office |
| Bernardete Rodrigues | University Police |
| Talmadge Savage | Housekeeping |
| Jaime Russell | Enterprise Applications |
| Maggie Nunes | University Police |
| Todd Simmons | Operations & Engineering |