Staff Committees

The Staff Council Executive Committee shall consist of elected officers who serve as representatives for the general staff population on campus. The current Executive Committee make-up consists of the five officer positions to serve as the leadership to the staff council. Eligibility includes all non-faculty employees of SSU, or an SSU auxiliary, who are employed on at least a half-time basis, or more, with an initial appointment of at least 11 months or more. 

All positions on Staff Council have two-year terms, with the terms being staggered so that there is some continuity from year to year.

The Chair shall: 

Preside at all meetings of the Staff Council. Vote only when needed to constitute a quorum or to break a tie vote. 

The Vice Chair shall: 

Assume the duties of the Chair, in the absence of the Chair, or at any other time upon request of the Chair. Assume the duties of the Chair for the unexpired term in the event the Chair is unable to complete the term of office; perform other duties as may be deemed necessary and assigned by the Chair. 

The Secretary shall: 

Assume the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair and the Vice Chair; keep records of minutes; ensure that those minutes are kept and appropriately distributed; prepare an agenda and send to membership with a notice of each meeting; perform other duties as may be deemed necessary and assigned by the Chair. 

The Treasurer shall: 

Be responsible for all money acquired by Staff Council; Pay all bills; Assist the Chair in the preparation of the proposed annual budget; Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary and assigned by the Chair. 

The Custodian of Records (VACANT) shall: 

Be responsible for Staff Council correspondence and web presence. Notify officers/members of their election; Maintain current officer roster; perform other duties as may be deemed necessary and assigned by the Chair.

Meetings: Meets weekly during the academic year - the Staff Council Exec Board meets every two weeks, prior to the upcoming general Staff Council meetings, which are held alternate Tuesdays (over Zoom) during the course of the fall and spring semesters.

The Academic Senate is the governing body of the faculty. Its committees oversee the curriculum, academic policies, the reappointment, tenure and promotion of faculty and it is the official faculty body to provide opinion on matters affecting the University.

The Staff Representative for Academic Senate attends all meetings of the Academic Senate. They then have a standing report at staff council meetings which is an opportunity to report on matters reported to and discussed at the senate. 

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a three-year term.

Meetings: Academic Senate meets on alternate Thursdays throughout the academic year. These are hybrid meetings (both online and in-person).

The Alternative Transportation Committee promotes the use of alternate forms of transportation by our campus community to minimize the impact of vehicles on our environment in order to contribute to campus-wide sustainability efforts. The committee will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating the campus' existing transportation programs and challenges and recommending plans to increase equitable access and cost-effective transportation options.

Appointments: There are two staff appointments to this committee, serving staggered two-year terms. ONE VACANT SEAT for Fall 2024 - Spring 2026

Meetings: Generally meets once per semester over Zoom

The Campus Planning and University Space Advisory Committee is charged with developing and implementing processes and procedures for managing campus space and facility use. All recommendations should focus on creating an environment on campus where function, aesthetic quality, and physical characteristics are blended to create a desirable and inspirational atmosphere for students, faculty and staff. Areas of review include, but may not be limited to, selection of sites for new buildings and other facilities on campus, review of Sonoma State University's five-year Capital Outlay Program submission, the assignment of space, building and renovation plans, alteration to the campus grounds, campus planning and design standards, and the prioritization of minor and major capital requests. The work done by this committee will provide recommendations to the Provost and the Vice President of Administration & Finance for consideration for resource planning for physical facilities projects, improvements, and additions.

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a two-year term.

Meetings: Monthly during the academic year

The Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council serves as a forum for the President, Vice President of Administration & Finance, and Senior Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. The council will review and provide advice on athletic procedures related to academic integrity, admissions policies, initial and continuing eligibility, student-athlete travel, awarding of athletic financial aid, NCAA/Conference compliance, and gender equity/Title IX compliance, as well as other issues related to student-athlete welfare. It is focused on the growth, success, and maintenance of the intercollegiate athletic programs at Sonoma State University, and is charged with promoting an understanding of intercollegiate athletics among the University faculty and staff.

Appointments: There are two staff appointments to this committee, serving staggered two-year terms.

Meetings: Monthly during the academic year

The President's Advisory Council on Campus Police and Safety serves as a link between the community and Sonoma State Police Department. It is a mechanism to facilitate and enhance communication and relationships between the police department and the community. The Advisory Council will make recommendations to the President and the Chief of Police in areas that comprise significant community safety quality of life program review, and community outreach in ways that will create an environment that is most conducive to the intellectual, cultural, and personal development of the University community.

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a two-year term.

Meetings: Three to four times during the academic year

The President's Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, Campus Climate, and Inclusion serves as Sonoma State’s council for diversity and equity-related activities, ensuring that all programs and activities reflect campus priorities. The council is charged with promoting policies and practices that increase opportunities, advance social justice, and create equitable experiences for the campus community. Its success depends in part on strong representation and engagement from students, faculty, and staff. Our efforts to make systemic change require bold and equity-minded leadership. 

Appointments: There are two staff appointments to this committee, serving staggered two-year terms.

Meetings: One extended training session and two meetings during the academic year

The President's Advisory Council on Title IX is an implementation team with faculty, staff and student representatives to strengthen our community and help lead the process to enhance our programs and practices in addressing harassment and other concerning behaviors. This team will work with other groups on campus, including the President Advisory Councils, the Sexual Misconduct and Assault Resource Team, Faculty Senate, Staff Council and the Associated Students, to gather input and to enact meaningful change.

Appointments: There are two staff appointments to this committee, serving staggered two-year terms. ONE VACANT SEAT for Fall 2024 - Spring 2026

Meetings: Monthly during the academic year

The President's Budget Advisory Council serves to advise the President on budgetary priorities and other matters of University-wide importance; review the annual CSU budgets for the University and recommend distribution of funds among the major sectors of the University; and review expenditures of the past fiscal year's budget.

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a two-year term.

Meetings: Monthly during the academic year

The President's Sustainability Advisory Council advises the President, via the Provost and the Vice President of Administration and Finance, on sustainability and resilience at Sonoma State University. The PSAC coordinates the work of the three pillars of the Climate Commitment signed in spring 2019 by then SSU President Judy K. Sakaki. The Climate Commitment requires three simultaneous efforts organized under three tracks: academic, resilience, and carbon. The PSAC also leads campus efforts to engage the campus and collaborate with surrounding communities on issues related to sustainability and resilience. The Council will develop goals, tactics, timelines, and metrics to support the SSU strategic plan; ensure SSU complies with the Climate Commitment; and develop and support the campus climate action plan. All recommendations shall be made to the Provost and the Vice President of Administration and Finance, with an annual reporting and public communication structure in place to ensure the entire community is aware of the progress and accomplishments of the Council.

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a three-year term.

Meetings: Six times during the academic year

The SafeSSU Committee serves to promote and prioritize the health, safety and personal wellness of our campus community; educate our campus community on safety practices that will help to prevent and prepare for future emergencies; and create safe and inclusive programming through which our community can ask questions, seek guidance and access critical resources.

Appointments: There is one staff appointment to this committee, serving a two-year term.

Meetings: To be determined

Sonoma State Enterprises, Inc. is a not-for-profit, auxiliary corporation of Sonoma State University, established to provide services that are not eligible for state funding, but are nonetheless crucial to the life of the campus. Sonoma State Enterprises operates retail and dining functions, including the University Store, Charlie Brown's Cafe, Overlook, The Kitchens, Weyden + Brewster, Lobo’s, The Café, Campus Vending, University Catering, Campus Prints, Housing Services, and U.S. Post Office. Enterprises' net proceeds, after establishment of appropriate reserves, are provided to the university in support of the educational mission. The corporation is governed by a policy-making board of directors comprised of faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community members.

Appointments: There are two staff appointments to this committee, serving staggered two-year terms.

Meetings: Two to three times per semester

The Commencement Logistics Committee forms each spring to plan Commencement. Calls for this appointment will go out in late fall of each year.

Appointments: One appointment for a single semester (Spring)

Meetings: To be determined, will take place during the spring semester

The WSCUC accreditation process assures stakeholders, including the educational community and the general public, that institutions have been rigorously evaluated and meet high standards of quality and effectiveness. The process also promotes the meaning, quality, and integrity of educational programs and encourages a commitment to continuous improvement. Accreditation is about meaningful, inquiry-based self-assessment that conveys our unique story and describes plans for the future based on the institution’s mission and strategic goals. As part of the accreditation activities, SSU completes a self-study process where we demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the continuous improvement of our programs—both curricular and co-curricular. The self-study process is led by a WSCUC Accreditation Steering Committee. This group is charged with preparatory activities including collecting preliminary evidence used to prepare the Institutional Report. 

Appointments: One appointment during the accreditation process

Meetings: The committee meets on alternating Mondays. 

The Campuswide Safety Committee is charged with the consultative responsibilities of the program.  However, for the first 12 months, to ensure the breadth of consultation and program development is accomplished, the committee will support a Subcommittee on Workplace Violence Prevention.  The subcommittee will report its activities to the campus wide safety committee.  The subcommittee will be charged with ensuring employees from all represented and unrepresented areas have the opportunity to participate.  Representatives of represented employees will be invited and encouraged to participate as well.

During the development phase of the planning process, the subcommittee will work directly with employees in the development of the following plan elements: