Sonoma State Eliminates Entirety of School's D-II Athletics Program Amid Budget Deficit

Sonoma State University this week announced that it will eliminate the entirety of its Division II athletics program as part of a massive round of layoffs and program cuts as the school prepares to deal with a larger-than-expected budget deficit. 

Interim president Emily Cutrer said in a post on the school's website that the school now estimates a deficit of $23.9 million, significantly more than the previously projected $21 million. Cutrer said that the cuts agreed to have already reduced the deficit by $6.8 million. 

Along with cuts of academic departments, such as Art History, Economics and Gender Studies, among others, the school also decided to essentially shutter its athletics department. 

"We also have made the decision to eliminate NCAA Division II athletics," Cutrer wrote. "Our Athletic Director is informing our student athletes and coaching staffs of this decision today. We are wholly committed to working with every impacted student athlete to ensure they are aware of their options as they consider whether to remain at Sonoma State or to transfer to another institution. Student athletes who choose to remain at SSU will remain eligible to receive scholarships, as long as they meet the current terms of the scholarship. We will also support and assist those who wish to transfer in order to continue participation in intercollegiate athletics."

The move impacts the athletes and coaches for the school’s seven women’s sports teams (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field and volleyball) and four men’s teams (baseball, basketball, golf and soccer) as well as auxiliary staff, though specifics weren’t known as of Wednesday afternoon.

Cutrer said the budget cuts were not made "across the board" but were done "strategically, with an eye toward realignment of staff and resources based on anticipated future needs. Those cuts included: 

● $8 million in reduced instructional costs

● $3.8 million from reorganization/MPP non-retentions

● $3.7 million from discontinuing NCAA athletics

● $3.3 million from the hiring freeze

● $1.3 million from university-wide budget lines

"We strongly believe these changes are needed, not only to close the deficit, but also to reorient the university’s operations and workforce," Cutrer wrote. "They will help us ensure long-term fiscal stability; meet the changing needs of future generations of students; align with the CSU’s career-focused mission of producing graduates ready to contribute to California’s economy, culture, and schools; and continue to be a major force for economic, environmental, and social progress in the North Bay and beyond."