CAState University

Sonoma State University

Allocating Resources, Centering Students, and Sustaining Momentum

Resource Allocation

About Sonoma State University

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.

Improvement Project

Collaborating With Academic Leaders to Improve Resource Allocation Practices

Toolkits Used

IPEDS Peer Benchmarking Dashboards Financial Impact Analysis Budget Builder

Browse all toolkits

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.

The Full Story

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.

“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