Sonoma State University

2024 Campus Safety Plan

Availability, Location, and Methods to Summon Law Enforcement Assistance

The Sonoma State University Police Department (SSPD) is located on campus at 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Verdot Village, Rohnert Park, CA and provides law enforcement services 24 hours a day to our community. Police dispatch can be reached directly 24 hours a day by phone at 707-664-4444. Emergencies can be reported by calling or texting 911. Instructions for texting 911 can be found on the SSPD website.

Peace Officers at Sonoma State University have statewide police authority and jurisdiction per Penal Code 830.2 and Education Code 89560, and are vested with law enforcement powers and responsibilities, identical to the local police or sheriff departments in your home community.

Crime Reporting

The campus community is strongly encouraged to report all known or suspected crimes on campus to the Sonoma State University Police Department Department as soon as possible. When calling the police, do the following:

  • Provide your name, telephone number, and location.
  • Give clear and accurate information.
  • Be prepared to supply suspect and vehicle description, direction of travel, and other relevant facts.
  • Don’t hang up until instructed by the dispatcher.

By Telephone

  • Emergency: 9-1-1
  • Non-emergency 707-664-4444

In Person

  • The Sonoma State University Police Department is located at the south end of Verdot village across from parking Lot ‘D’ and the Student Center.   After hours, please call (707) 664-4444 or utilize the call box adjacent to the lobby doors, and a staff member will meet you.

Emergency Blue Light Call Stations

Emergency call stations are located throughout campus that allow for one button activation.  Upon activation, the emergency telephone will put you in contact with a 911 dispatcher.  There are call stations located throughout campus, including the residential community.

Special Safeguards for Facilities or Activities

Security of and Access to Campus Facilities

All campus facilities are key or key-card accessed, and most are open daily for scheduled campus community use.  Campus key control and distribution is a function of the Seawolf Service Center and Facilities Services. To provide for the security of campus facilities, the SSU Police Department enforces Educational Code 89031 & housing policies. The Sonoma State University Police Department may revoke campus facility access per Penal Code 626.4 or 626.6.

Security Considerations Used in Maintenance of Campus Facilities

The Campus Safety Committee, which includes faculty, staff, and student representation along with many campus departments that oversee various safety programs or activities, meets monthly to review campus conditions, projects, hazards, and safety programming.   As a function of this committee, a multi-disciplinary group of campus employees conducts regular inspections and security surveys of campus during different seasons and times of day/night to review indoor/outdoor lighting, shrubbery, and walkways.

The California State Fire Marshal, Facilities Management, and Risk Management and Safety Services conduct periodic inspections of campus facilities to ensure compliance with fire and building codes and that classrooms and workspaces are safe from hazards.

Actions Taken in the Preceding 18 Months to Increase Safety

The following initiatives represent highlights among many actions taken to increase campus safety in 2022 and 2023.  For additional information, please contact Risk Management & Safety Services at risk@sonoma.edu .

  • Expand DAAPP Committee and Workgroup to include membership from Sonoma County commuity partners and Faculty Affairs
  • Participated in system wide emergency response exercise championed by the Chancellor's Office for campus interconnected operations 
  • Provided multiple programs to students related to fentanyl, including how to access and use naloxone (Narcan)
  • Provided new programming in collaboration with the Sonoma County Department of Public Health related to illicit substance use and misuse.
  • Created the Critical Incident Notification protocol to ensure proper coordination and collaboration with Chancellor's Office 
  • Sponsored and coordinated a Safety Fair that pooled together on and off campus resources who facilitate a varity of safety topics and issues.
  • Started small group residential floor meetings to share campus safety resources and services available on campus.
  • Delivery of multiple consent-related campaigns, including “My Costume is not Consent” and “I Ask You Ask”

  • Placement of cling posters in residence halls and restrooms listing resources for people impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking

  • Add Title IX and harm reduction training as part of new student orientation.

  • Added campus-wide self-defense program offerings.

Changes in Safety Precautions and Initiatives Expected to Be Made during the Next 24 Months

  • Continue to review the DAAPP Report and the Biennial Review documentation to include Fentanyl education for 2023-24 report
  • Assess and review the Care Team for effectiveness and improvements to include tabling for information sharing and outreach
  • Develop a strategic plan for educational programming as it relates to consent and bystander education
  • Launch updated facilities inspection program with Facilities Management and Environmental Health & Safety to ensure campus facilities meet requirements of the fire code, building code, Americans with Disabilities Act, and general safety standards
  • Review National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW) programming to include learning outcomes
  • Implement indoor heat illness prevention program program to ensure worker safety during heat events
  • Enhance training for student-athletes and sorority and fraternity members, on harm reduction and bystander intervention
  • Provide a quick guide fact on the website  with help resources regarding alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and fentanyl for students 
  • Launch annual Campus Safety Week for all students, faculty and staff to initiate preparedness programming and activities 
  • Host emergency operations center exercise with a focus on active shooter
  • Host awareness events for National Stalking Month, Human Trafficking Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and National Domestic Violence Month
  • Development of social media campaigns by student ambassadors related to harm reduction and sexual assault awareness.  
  • Launch new sexual misconduct bystander and harm prevention programs with through the Cal OES and  DOJ sexual assault prevention grant.
  • Host general emergency response trainings for campus community members 
  • Add Title IX and harm reduction training as part of new student orientation.
  • Added campus-wide self-defense program offerings.

Records of On-Campus Crime

California Education Code 67380(a)(1)(A)

California State University campuses are required by California Education Code 67380(a)(1)(A) to compile records of all occurrences reported to campus police, campus security personnel, or campus safety authorities of, and arrests for, crimes that are committed on campus and that involve violence, hate violence, theft, destruction of property, illegal drugs, or alcohol intoxication, and to make this information available within two business days if requested by students, prospective students, employees, or the media. If you wish to request crime information, please contact: pra@sonoma.edu.

Systemwide Hate Crime Reports

The Annual Systemwide Hate Crimes report, including statistics from 2020, is posted on the Systemwide website.