Top ten news stories of spring 2010
Published: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 01:05
Spring semester 2010 saw Sonoma State as the victim of FBI raids, lawsuits and protests, and as the shining light with promotions and world-wide achievements. Whether shown in a positive light or not, it was definitely a newsworthy semester to remember. Full copies of all the articles can be found at www.sonomastatestar.com.
1. "U.S. Marshalls raid Administration and Finance"
Students, faculty and staff were buzzing one Thursday morning about the presence of police officers, sheriffs, FBI agents and members of the Office of Inspector General on campus. The Administration and Finance offices were promptly shut down after employees were told to turn on their computers and leave the building.
A press release issued later that day announced that the officers were raiding the building in conjunction with a search warrant issued by the Sonoma County District Attorney's office. Officers were searching for any documents pertaining to the finances of the now-defunct California Institute of Human Services.
Chief Financial Officer Larry Furukawa-Schlereth and President Ruben Armiñana stated that the University was working in full compliance with the audit.
2. "Students protest against budget cuts, limited classes"
Hundreds of Sonoma State students showed their dissatisfaction with the current state of higher education by participating in a walk-out and rally on the state-wide Day of Action. Organized by Students for Quality Education, the rally formed outside of Stevenson Hall where President Armiñana's office resides. Students were yelling for better CSU funding, class availability and putting educational needs first.
After the rally, members of SQE occupied Salazar Hall and gave Furukawa-Schlereth a list of demands. One demand has been fulfilled, and Customer Services has now been renamed to the Seawolf Services Center.
3. "Limitations on campus free speech policy to be revised"
Last semester, an anti-abortion rally caused discussions about Sonoma State's free speech policy and a committee was formed to rewrite the current policy. "Campus Expression: Time, Place and Manner" imposed limitations on when a group could organize on campus and how electronic amplification can be used.
Although the university is protected under the first amendment of the Constitution, the committee stated that they created these guidelines in order to maintain stability on campus and not undermine the academic mission.
4. "Ochoa earns nomination to Office of Postsecondary Education by Obama"
In early March, President Barack Obama announced his nomination of SSU Provost Eduardo Ochoa for the position of Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education, which has been left vacant for several years. Ochoa did not apply for this position and had to wait for confirmation from the Senate before being able to assume the title.
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