Recently it has come to our attention that the Office of the President at Sonoma State has settled a lawsuit by a former Provost who claimed to experience retaliation after reporting multiple incidents of sexual harassments involving the President’s husband. As news reporting continues on this, students learned that almost half of the $600,000 settlement will be paid out from revenue sources that include tuition and student fees.

These actions are a complete violation of the financial stewardship our institutions are expected to uphold. At a time when so many students across the CSU are struggling with financial hardships and broader housing and food insecurity, it is insulting that the ethical failures of our administrators are being paid out by students. This violation is antithetical to the principles of shared-governance and transparency that the CSU system is in desperate need of.

Though I will continue to serve our students as a partner to our systemwide leaders, I will not equivocate that the actions taken at Sonoma State are unacceptable and an insult to all of us who pay our tuition to this institution. I call on our Board of Trustees and systemwide leaders to investigate why policies allow for students to pay the price of the settlements set against our leadership. This practice is wholly unethical and reflective of a system that prioritizes our student’s financial investments over their safety, security, and educational success. As President of the Cal State Student Association, and as a survivor myself, I know our students, faculty, and staff across this system are due their justice, healing, and dignity. I will not rest until they are given this much.

Isaac Alferos
President
Cal State Student Association

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