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A Sonoma County Superior Court judge has pressed pause on Sonoma State University’s plan to shutter a plethora of academic programs, ruling the school failed to follow its own policies on implementing cuts to such programs.
According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, in response to a petition from several Sonoma State students seeking an emergency injunction, Judge Kenneth English on Tuesday placed a temporary restraining order on the cuts, whose Jan. 22 announcement sent shockwaves throughout the SSU community.
The planned cuts include six departments, as well as the elimination of 22 majors. Additionally, the school plans to cut its entire athletic program—though the sports were not subject to the restraining order.
English said the planned cuts were in violation of SSU’s own policies on how to discontinue and suspend degree programs, the PD reported.
Sonoma State has said the cuts are necessary to close a nearly $24 million budget deficit. In addition to the elimination of sports and academic programs, the austerity measures would also include the loss of 46 faculty, plus four management and 12 staff positions. The restraining order lasts to May 1, when the parties convene again.
