Renovation of Nichols Hall to Support Growth in Nursing
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 2:32pmTO: Campus Community
FR: Stacey J. Bosick, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
I am pleased to share a major investment in Sonoma State University’s future: the renovation of Nichols Hall to support the growth and advancement of the School of Nursing.
With the support of university leadership, School of Nursing faculty have endorsed a $25-million renovation that will create a modern, technologically advanced, and welcoming space to educate and prepare future generations of nurses to serve the North Bay region.
This project is supported by funding from the Sonoma State Commitment, enacted through the California Budget Act of 2025, which provides $45 million for targeted initiatives at SSU. The Chancellor’s Office has matched this investment.
The renovation will be funded through two sources:
- $16 million from the Sonoma State Commitment. These are statutorily designated, one-time, nonrenewable funds earmarked to support the growth and advancement of the School of Nursing.
- $9 million from a line of credit provided by the Chancellor’s Office. This financing supports one-time infrastructure needs tied to enrollment growth and will be repaid under terms negotiated with SSU leadership. Repayment will not reduce SSU’s annual state appropriation.
The use of one-time funding aligns with the purpose of this project. These funds are appropriately directed toward capital improvements rather than ongoing commitments such as salaries, benefits, or utilities. Sonoma State Commitment funds were provided with the condition that they be expended within three years.
I extend my thanks to Campus Planning, Designing and Construction, the School of Nursing faculty, and the College of Science, Technology and Business, all who contributed to advancing this project. Plans for a groundbreaking will be shared soon.