Sonoma State University

Non-Discrimination Notice & Red Zone Events

Monday, August 24, 2026, 11:52am

TO: Campus Community
FR: Julie Vivas, J.D., Associate Vice President for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Dispute Resolution

The beginning of the fall semester is an exciting time, with new classes, new friendships, new experiences, and new opportunities to get involved. It is also an important time to talk about how we can work together to create a campus community where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.

The first several weeks of the fall semester are sometimes referred to nationally as the “Red Zone,” a period when college students may be at increased risk of experiencing sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence. At Sonoma State, we use the Red Zone as an opportunity not only to raise awareness, but also to build community, strengthen connections, talk about consent and healthy boundaries, practice bystander intervention, and make sure students know about the resources available to them.

Prevention is something we all have a role in. Throughout the next several weeks, Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) and the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD), along with our campus and community partners, will be hosting events designed to help you meet other Seawolves, have some fun, learn new skills, and help us build a culture of care and respect. Please take a moment to review the Notice of Non-Discrimination below and join your fellow Seawolves in "Standing Together to Confront the Red Zone." 

Red Zone Events: (more information is available on the OPHD Education Page)

  • Kick Off: Red Zone Campaign/Self-Care Fair - Tuesday, August 25 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Person Lawn
  • Kick Off: Be Smart Before You Start! - Thursday, August 27 | 5–7:30 p.m. | Sauvignon Green
  • Bevs & Bystander Intervention - Monday, August 31 | 6–7 p.m. | Barrel Room
  • Bevs & Bystander Intervention - Tuesday, September 1 | 6–7 p.m. | Beaujolais Meeting Room
  • Family Feud: Transfer Edition - Wednesday, September 9 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Beaujolais Meeting Room
  • Billiards & Boundaries - Monday, September 14 | 6–7 p.m. | Campus Recreation
  • Glow Run - Monday, September 21 | 7–9 p.m. | Beaujolais Meeting Room
  • IMPACT: 90-Minute Empowerment 101 - Thursday, September 24 | 6–7:30 p.m. | The Cooperage

As you begin the semester, remember that consent, respect, and looking out for one another are part of what it means to be a Seawolf. Check in with your friends. Respect boundaries. Speak up when something doesn't seem right. Know where to turn if you or someone you care about needs support.

OPHD’s Civil Rights/TItle IX team is here throughout the year to provide information about your rights and options, connect you with resources, provide supportive measures, receive reports, and help address concerns involving sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of discrimination and harassment. Most important, you don't need to wait until something goes wrong to get to know us. Come say hello at one of our Red Zone events, meet our team, learn about campus resources, and have some fun along the way.

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, which includes Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics) and Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation in its education programs or activities. In addition, the CSU prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon any protected status, including Age, Disability (physical and mental), Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, and Veteran or Military Status.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of Gender or Sexual Orientation in employment, as well as in all education programs and activities operated by the University (both on and off campus), including admissions. The protection against discrimination on the basis of Gender or Sexual Orientation includes Sex-based Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking.

Any person may report discrimination or harassment, including sex-based harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct that could constitute sex or other protected class discrimination or sex-based harassment) in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed below for the Title IX Coordinator/Discrimination Harassment Retaliation (DHR) Administrator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administrator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) via the website for the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administrator by the means listed below. 

Please take a moment and review the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy and the CSU Myths and Facts about Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault.  

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Nondiscrimination Policy and Title IX/DHR complaints for Sonoma State University: 

Julie Vivas, J.D.
Associate Vice President for Title IX, Equal Opportunity, and Dispute Resolution
Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
207 International Hall
Email: ophd@sonoma.edu
707-664-4140
https://ophd.sonoma.edu/

Questions may also be addressed to: 
Office for Civil Rights 
Seattle Office 
U.S. Department of Education 
915 Second Avenue Room 3310 
Seattle, WA 98174 
Telephone: (206) 604-1600 
Facsimile: (206) 607-1601
TDD: (800) 887-8339 
Email: OCR.Seattle@ed.gov