September 2025 A&F Times
September Column
As we welcomed students back to campus over the last couple of weeks, we also closed out what was another impactful summer here in Administration & Finance. Our teams managed fiscal year-end closeouts, supported thousands of guests for summer conferences and camps, and prepared the campus infrastructure for the start of a new academic year. The last few months also provided a valuable window to regroup - whether that meant revisiting strategic plans, advancing long-range projects or addressing initiatives that are harder to prioritize during the go-go-go of the academic year. These daily efforts rely on collaboration across numerous units in our division and contribute meaningfully to how the campus operates and is experienced by students, employees and visitors alike.
While the students enjoyed a break between semesters, it is equally important for our teams to take a break when needed. Vacation hours continue to accrue through December and employees are encouraged to forecast their balances now to ensure they remain within policy limits come January 1. As the pace of work continues to stay full, it may seem difficult to step away but prioritizing time off remains essential. Taking time to rest and recharge isn’t just beneficial to individual well-being, it also strengthens the sustainability of our teams and the quality of the service we provide.
Here is to a strong, energized start to the new academic year!
What's Happening on Campus
Building a Safer Campus for All
Risk Management and Safety Services will be hosting the annual Campus Safety Week from September 15th-19th! The week kicks off with Coffee & Conversations in Seawolf Plaza, and concludes with the Safety Stars Reception on September 19th. Find a full schedule of the week's events on the Risk Management & Safety Services website.
Open Enrollment Fair
Considering updates to your benefits plan? Mark your calendar for the annual Open Enrollment Fair taking place Tuesday, September 23rd from 12-2pm in the Student Center Ballroom! Meet with benefit providers to learn about your options and receive assistance. Enrollment forms and supplemental materials will also be available. The health and well-being of our employees is important, and we encourage you to take this time to ensure your benefits are aligned with your individual and family’s needs!
Big Blue Weekend 2025
Big Blue Weekend will be full of opportunities to connect with friends, enjoy exciting events, and experience our vibrant campus! Events include a community day, family-friendly activities, trivia and movie nights, and captivating live music performances. Whether you're a student, prospective student, alumni, family member, faculty, staff, or community member, there's something for everyone! Join us for an unforgettable weekend October 3rd-5th, where we celebrate what makes SSU so special! More details and events will be posted on the Big Blue website soon.
Sonoma State 🤝 Sonoma County
The Great Game
Sonoma State students, local community members, and businesses came together on Saturday, August 23rd to participate in The Great Game, hosted by the City of Rohnert Park! Teams were tasked with solving a series of clues that led them on a mission across Rohnert Park, Cotati, and the Sonoma State campus, and concluded at the Movie on the Green at the Green Music Center. Catch a recap of the day's events shared on the City of Rohnert Park Instagram, and follow them @rohnertparkcity to stay up to date on what's happening in town!
Seawolves Shop Local
The second annual Seawolves Shop Local fair took place on Tuesday, August 26th in Seawolf Plaza. This event brings businesses from the local area to campus and allows them to introduce themselves to our students, faculty and staff. A total of 18 businesses came out this year, serving up snacks, offering discounts and specials, and ultimately, helping our new students learn more about businesses and services available to them in their new home! Many of these businesses also offer discounts to the Sonoma State campus community year round! Check out the Employee Discounts and Seawolves Save Here websites for more.
North Ponds Rehabilitation Project
Work is well underway on the North Ponds Rehabilitation project. The Western Pond Turtles have successfully been relocated from the large pond to the small pond, to ensure their safety ahead of dredging. Hydraulic dredging is scheduled to begin on September 15th starting with the large pond. Because the dredging is hydraulic, the ponds will remain filled and do not need to be drained. Water and sediment removed during the dredging process will be pumped to the practice field along Petaluma Hill Road for filtration, with clean water returned to the ponds. Once work has completed on the large pond, dredging will begin on the small pond. Upon completion of this project, the ponds will better support native aquatic wildlife, enjoy improved water quality, and serve as a reliable secondary source for campus fire suppression.
P.E. Pool Refurbishment
The P.E. Pool is receiving a major refresh! Over the next two months, the pool will be completely refurbished. At this point in time, the pool has been drained, and all old plaster and tile has been removed. Work is underway on the new tile, drains, and deck repairs. Once complete, the pool will be ready to welcome back campus users, such as Campus Rec, and community organizations, including local youth teams, to a safer and cleaner facility.
Shoutouts!
The Accounting & Financial Reporting team welcomed students and faculty back to school at the "Seawolf Welcome - First Day of School Celebration". This event brought all members of campus (students, faculty, and staff) out to celebrate their "First" day of school - whether it was their first or 35th year on campus!
Shoutout to Kenneth Russman, Keith Tucker, Eanna McBrien, Jose Aceves, & Robert Grant with Facilities Management for repairing sections of sidewalk in Beaujolais that had been disrupted due to tree root lift. Despite the high summer temps, the crew was committed to getting the work done before our student's return to campus. A job well done!
Kudos to the Paint Team for the fresh stripes in our campus parking lots! They did a mighty fine job and ensured the work was done and looking sharp before the first day of classes.
Anniversaries!
Celebrated Anniversaries in July
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Sean Pentecost | Capital Planning Design & Construction |
| Dylan Ratto | Housekeeping |
| Jason Scott | Operations & Engineering |
| Dana Twedell | Facilities Administration |
| Ekaterina Zaitseva | Kitchens |
| Remy Williams | Entrepreneurial Activities |
| Jose Aceves | Operations & Engineering |
| Talmadge Savage | Housekeeping |
| Jaime Russell | Enterprise Applications |
| Todd Simmons | Operations & Engineering |
Celebrated Anniversaries in August
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Mariana Hernandez | Kitchens |
| Ian Carlson | IT Web Services |
| Sadie Pettit | IT Project Management Office |
| Jenna Spolarich | Student Center Operations |
| Chris Corwin | Workstation Security & Services |
| Kelsey Moss | Administration & Finance |
| Aremi Cruz | Talent Acquisition & Workforce Administration |
| Sam Gordon | Enterprise Applications |
| Yolanda Ruiz | Housekeeping |
| Vyacheslav Fedotov | Operations & Engineering |
| Maria Bernabe Chavez | Kitchens |
| Whitney McDowell | Financial Aid |
| Rob Cunningham | Landscaping |
| Carson Williams | Financial Aid |
| Laura Lupei | University Budget & Resource Planning |
| Holly Galbraith | Kitchens |
| Neil Markley | Entrepreneurial Activities |
| Nicole Hendry | Facilities Administration |