State University | Public 4-year

Sonoma State University

Allocating Resources, Centering Students, and Sustaining Momentum

Leveraging Collaboration with Academic Leadership to Improve Resource Allocation at Sonoma State University

The Problem

Sonoma State University is a public institution located in Sonoma County, California. One of the smallest members of the California State University system, its current enrollment is approximately 6,100 students. Sonoma State is in a region where the number of high school students is declining.

The Action

Due to unprecedented multi-year declines in enrollment and corresponding loss of revenue, executive leaders at Sonoma State knew that material changes to offerings and related planning and budgeting practices were required. The provost and chief business officer (CBO) believed solid collaboration between their offices was essential. The NACUBO Student Success Hub toolkits facilitated ideation. The IPEDS Peer Benchmarking Dashboards and Financial Impact Analysis offered dynamic dashboards that served as references.

The Results

Working in close partnership, the CBO supported the provost's efforts to update the institution's academic master plan in response to double-digit enrollment drops. A revised approach to resource allocation was developed.

Improved planning and budgeting efforts helped to identify what work could be accomplished with internal expertise and what analysis needed to be outsourced for faster turnaround.

“There are opportunities that exist when there are challenges that must be addressed. There was a need to look at the needs and expectations of the students and the labor market and re-envision the institution collaboratively with academic leadership. The NACUBO tools served as catalysts for so much of our work here.”
M. Monir AhmedVice President for Administration and Finance/CFO

Related Use Cases

Alamo Colleges District

Assessing Impact and Expanding Awareness of Student Outcomes to Support Resource Allocation Decision-MakingPublic2-YearBudget Equity Blueprint

Strengthening Analysis, Refining Budgeting Processes, and Centering Students

Read story

Atlantic Cape Community College

Leverage Funds Designated to Innovate and Improve Student Outcomes More EffectivelyPublic2-YearBudget Builder

Aligning Innovation with Strategic Priorities

Read story

Central Lakes College

Assessing Impact and Expanding Awareness of Student Outcomes to Support Resource Allocation Decision-MakingPublic2-YearBudget Equity Blueprint

A Strategic and Collaborative Approach Towards Educational Equity

Read story

Back to all stories Download Case Study PDF