As 2024 begins, colleges grapple with severe fiscal challenges, leading to drastic measures to stabilize finances. Sonoma State University, with a budget deficit nearing $24 million, announced deep cuts including job reductions, program eliminations, and the dissolution of athletic programs. This decline is exacerbated by a 38% drop in enrollment since 2015. Other campuses, like California State University, Dominguez Hills, are also experiencing layoffs as budget constraints tighten. The situation reflects a troubling trend in higher education funding and recruitment, prompting discussions on the sustainability of academic institutions.
The University has had a budget deficit for several years. It is attributable to a variety of factors-cost of personnel, annual price increases for supplies and utilities, inflation-but the main reason is enrollment.
Sonoma State’s enrollment has dropped by 38 percent since 2015, prompting deep cuts including the dismissal of faculty members, elimination of multiple programs, and dropping athletics.
In addition, more than 20 programs have been identified for closure and others will be combined. University officials are also looking to close a half dozen academic departments.
All 11 SSU athletic programs, which compete at the NCAA Division II level, will be eliminated. However, SSU coaches have announced plans to file a lawsuit in an effort to save their sports.
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