What does it mean if campus is closed?
SSU is not under immediate threat, but given the extent of the Kincade fire and its regional impacts, Sonoma State University will remain closed for the rest of the week. Classes and regular business operations will resume on Monday, Nov. 4. To enable students to return to campus safely, residence halls will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12 p.m. Dining services will resume for campus residents with meal plans at that time. All residence halls and buildings will remain locked until Saturday at 12 p.m. Only essential personnel will be allowed on campus until that time. Classes will not be held this weekend. Events and activities will resume at noon on Saturday, Nov. 2, including athletic events and concerts at the Green Music Center.
When will the campus be open?
Sonoma State University will remain closed for the rest of the week. Classes and regular business operations will resume on Monday, Nov. 4. To enable students to return to campus safely, residence halls will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12 p.m.
When can I go back to my campus office or lab?
Classes and regular business operations will resume on Monday, Nov. 4. You cannot return to campus until it reopens. If you have an urgent situation that requires you to enter a building briefly on those days, please contact your dean or supervisor.
What should we do about department or unit-shared refrigerators when operations resume?
Please know that SSU did not lose power during the incident. However, if you did not clean out your refrigerator before leaving campus, there may be spoiled food in refrigerators. Please clean out any spoiled food upon return.
Where can I find out about the air quality on campus or at my home? Does the campus plan to provide frequent updates on the air quality?
The PurpleAir monitoring on campus is our source for air quality readings. N95 masks are available when the air quality rises to 150 and above. In such situations, residents should wear masks when outside and minimize time spent outdoors. Instructions on how to appropriately use N95 masks are available at the distribution site. Your health and safety are our number one concern. Please know that since the Kincade Fire hit more than 60% containment, air quality has remained below 100, which is moderate.
What time do I return to work when campus reopens?
When notification is posted that the campus will reopen, you should plan on returning to work at your normal schedule unless otherwise instructed by your supervisor.
Where can I get information from the county regarding the Public Safety Power Shutoff and Red Flag Warning?
The Sonoma County Emergency website provides a fact sheet with updates and current information.
Student-Related Questions
What if I am a residential student and have a compelling need to return to the residence halls before the residence halls open on Saturday, Nov. 2?
While students were notified to pack go-bags that included all essential items, we recognize there may be compelling reasons for a student to return to campus before the residence halls open on Saturday, Nov. 2. We have limited staff available due to the extensive power shutoffs and evacuations, so we will need to assess the requests on a case-by-case basis. If you feel you have a compelling reason to request a return to your residence hall, please email housing@sonoma.edu with your request.
Will residential students be reimbursed for the campus closure days?
Residential students who found their own off-site housing during the campus closure will receive refunds for housing costs during that period. If those students have meal plans, they will receive refunds as well. Credits will be posted to students' accounts approximately 14 days after the campus re-opens. NOTE: Residential students who were relocated to Marina Crossing will not receive reimbursement since meals and housing were provided by SSU during the campus closure.
Will testing continue on Saturday, Nov. 2?
No. All testing is canceled on Saturday, Nov. 2. We regret the inconvenience.
What should I do about exams, papers or assignments that were due during the shutoff?
Talk with your faculty member when you resume classes this week. Faculty should make adjustments if necessary and be accommodating of student needs.
If I need help with university deadlines or with student services because of the power shutoff, whom should I contact?
If you need help, please send an email to the Office of the Dean of Students at DOS@sonoma.edu. We will make sure your concern gets addressed.
Will we have classes later into December because of the classes that were canceled?
We do not anticipate any changes to the SSU Academic Calendar for the 2019-20 school year. We also anticipate that Winter Intersession and Summer 2020 schedules will remain the same (see the SEIE Academic Calendar for further details).
When classes resume, what should I do?
Consult with your faculty regarding assignment due dates and test dates. The faculty will provide revised class schedules.
What happens if I am unable to return to classes when campus reopens?
Please inform your faculty if you are unable to return to classes when campus reopens. You can also contact the Dean of Students Office at DOS@sonoma.edu for assistance.
What if I have problems with the electrical appliances or other facilities issues when I return to campus housing as a result of the power shutoff?
Please inform your resident advisor of any urgent electrical or facilities issues and put in an SSU Fix It request online.
What do I do about the food in my refrigerator and freezer?
Please know that SSU did not lose power during the incident. However, if you did not clean out your refrigerator before leaving campus, there may be spoiled food in refrigerators. Please clean out any spoiled food upon return.
Faculty-related Questions
Academic Resource Guide for Faculty and Advisors
When classes resume, what should I do?
Consider the impact of the power shutoff on students. Demonstrate flexibility in working with students on assignment due dates and test dates. If you find that students have been experiencing undue stress because of prior experiences with fires, please refer them to CAPS (707-664-2153).
Remember that student access to Canvas was interrupted during the power shutoff. Please help students understand how your class schedule is being altered to accommodate the closure days. We appreciate all you are doing to help students get back into classes.
What about internships and clinicals?
Internships and clinicals may resume when campus reopens. Students will not be required to make up hours lost during the power shutoff.
Should I make adjustments to the academic calendar or add class periods to make up for lost time?
No, faculty should not make any changes to the SSU Academic Calendar for the 2019-20 school year. Class periods should not be added to make up lost time and finals week should be used for finals and not to make up lost class time. We anticipate that Winter Intersession and Summer 2020 schedules will remain the same (see the SEIE Academic Calendar for further details).
If I have a student who needs help with university deadlines or with student services as a result of the power shutoff, whom should I contact?
If you have a student who needs help, please have them send an email to the Office of the Dean of Students at DOS@sonoma.edu. You may also send information to the Dean of Students if you have concerns about a student. We will make sure the student’s needs gets addressed.
How will the RTP process be impacted by the PSPS?
Schedules will be adjusted commensurate with the number of closure days. Date changes and OnBase scheduling will be changed when campus reopens. Please disregard late notices. Contact Faculty Affairs directly with questions: facultyaffairs@sonoma.edu
How will the Sabbatical Award process and the DIP be impacted by the PSPS?
Deadlines will be adjusted commensurate with the number of closure days. Contact Deborah Roberts, associate vice president for faculty affairs, at (707) 664-3236 for RTP questions.
How will faculty and administrative searches be impacted by the power outage?
Search activities may resume when campus reopens.
What if I or my colleagues are impacted by the power shutoff because of previous experiences with North Bay fires?
We know people may be especially stressed about the power shutoff because of the Sonoma Complex fires in 2017. If you or your colleagues need help, please contact Human Resources for our Employee Assistance Program.
What happens if I am unable to return to work or class when campus reopens?
Please inform your department chair if you are unable to return when campus re-opens.
If I am currently on a university-approved leave. Did the campus closure extend my leave days?
Unfortunately, no. Leaves do not work in this manner. Please contact Faculty Affairs for more information.
Staff Questions
How will employees be paid for the period of campus closure?
For the majority of employees who are not required to work during the campus closure, regular pay will be continued. Human Resources will provide further information that outlines emergency pay per bargaining unit. For managers and other exempt employees who are required to work at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) throughout the period of closure, regular pay will apply. For non-management, non-exempt employees required to work at the EOC during the period of closure, compensatory time off, or overtime, will apply.
Where do I pick up my paycheck?
Due to the continued campus closure, pay warrants for the Oct. 30, 2019 payday will be available to pick-up on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Redwood Credit Union, 250 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Please use the entrance that faces Redwood Drive when arriving. Signs will also be posted to assist which door to enter. Photo Identification will be required for pick-up. Warrants not picked up at Redwood Credit Union by 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 will be available in Seawolf Services upon Campus re-open. Please note, only the pay warrants from the Oct. 30 pay date will be available. If you are on Direct Deposit, the direct deposit posting date is Oct. 31, 2019. Questions concerning pay can be directed to Payroll & Benefits at payroll@sonoma.edu or x4-2793. We will answer all emails and phone calls upon Campus re-open.
What if I or my colleagues are impacted by the power shutoff because of previous experiences with North Bay fires?
We know people may be especially stressed about the power shutoff because of the Sonoma Complex fires in 2017. If you or your colleagues need help, please contact Human Resources for our Employee Assistance Program.
What happens if I am unable to return to work when campus reopens?
Please inform your department chair if you are unable to return when campus re-opens.
If I am currently on a university-approved leave, did the campus closure extend my leave days?
Unfortunately, no. Leaves do not work in this manner. Contact Human Resources for further information.