This Month in Academic Affairs | September 2026
Dear Academic Affairs Colleagues,
Happy Fall Census Day to those who celebrate - including our Enrollment Management, pre-enrollment, and dual enrollment teams.
Our total fall student headcount is 4,527.
This includes 618 post-baccalaureate students - credential and graduate students - who now make up nearly 14% of our student body. Post-baccalaureate enrollment has increased for four consecutive years.
Help write personal notes on postcards to prospective students on Oct 9.
We’re hosting an Academic Affairs postcard party on Friday, October 9, from 2–4 p.m. to help increase spring yield. Join us to write personal notes to prospective students over snacks and good company. If you’re interested, please sign up here. We’ll share the confirmed location in the coming weeks.
This semester our international students represent 26 countries and 6 continents.
We have students from Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Egypt, Fiji, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tunisia and Vietnam. Here’s a snapshot courtesy of our Global Education Team:
Federal guidance has significantly narrowed eligibility for International Student Internships.
Please keep our international students in mind. A number of changes to federal guidance around visas may be causing significant stress for our international students. One recent change has narrowed eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows students on F-1 visas to participate in internships and other practical experiences related to their academic programs. Faculty working with international students on internships should consult with Katie O’Brien, International Student Advisor, to make sure we are not inadvertently putting their visa status at risk.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the new duration-of-status rule.
Judge Saylor issued the injunction yesterday. The new rule would have replaced “duration of status” for international students with fixed periods of admission. For now, the existing duration-of-status system remains in place while the case proceeds. Here’s a PDF of the Memorandum and Order if you’d like to read more.
There will be coffee and sledgehammers at the Nichols Renovation Kickoff on Sep 29.
Come celebrate.
Join me at the Library’s New Works Celebration on Sep 22.
The University Library will be featuring some of our faculty authors at New Works: A Celebration of Sonoma State Scholarship and Creativity. We will have the chance to hear brief remarks about their works over wine and cheese. [Add to Calendar.]
Contribute to our WSCUC Accreditation Special Visit report.
The WSCUC Accreditation Steering Committee is looking for evidence to describe the work we have done, started, and planned over the last six months, which can be used to respond to the Feb 27, 2026 letter of action. Connect with a Steering Committee Representative to provide any feedback and submit evidence, or respond to this Questions and Feedback Form.
Fireside Chat with the Provost on October 18 @ 2pm
Stop by for some informal conversation with colleagues and me. There’s no set agenda, but we always cover a lot of ground. We’ll be near the fireplace in the Living Room of the Student Center (first floor) on October 19 at 2 p.m.
The photos in this month's banner are from the recent community event hosted by CEI at the Butterfly Garden and the opening reception for Mere Seconds: Andrew Owen + Insight/Incite 20/20 at the University Art Gallery.
Once again, Happy Census. Please celebrate responsibly,
Stacey