Agreement between Sonoma State students and admin overruled

Acting SSU President Nathan Evans released a new "Path Forward for SSU" and overruled the "points of agreement" made by students and President Lee.

photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB
Students dismantle the SSU Palestine solidarity camp following the agreement
made with now-retired President Mike Lee on May 15th, 2024.

The controversial "points of agreement" between former Sonoma State President Mike Lee and Sonoma State Students for Justice in Palestine is no more.

On May 31st, acting SSU President Nathan Evans sent out a message to the Sonoma State campus community announcing the newly crafted " Path Forward for SSU "

In the document Evans announced "the Path Forward supersedes previous university communications in response to the protests so we can reset the dialogue and productively move forward."

The new document walks back on the "points of agreement" between Lee and students - which ultimately led to Lee's abrupt retirement - and said the University will adhere to established pathways for shared governance with groups like the Academic Senate, Associated Students, and recognized student clubs.

Lee had agreed to the creation of an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Evans said the University will organize a meeting this fall to discuss university investments.

The school's endowment is handled by the SSU Foundation, an independent non-profit which did adopt a responsible investing position statement in 2019, but ultimately has it's own set of rules.

"The Path Forward" also makes clear SSU will not endorse any academic boycotts nor discourage students and faculty from participating in exchange programs for academic reasons.