Sonoma State University

2026 Campus Safety Plan

Availability, Location, and Methods to Summon Law Enforcement Assistance

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.

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. All emergencies should be reported by calling or texting 911. Instructions for texting 911 can be found on the SSPD website.  All non-emergency requests to dispatch should be made by dialing 707-664-4444, 24 hours a day. 

Crime Reporting

The campus community is strongly encouraged to report all known or suspected crimes, as well as suspicious behaviors or circumstances to the Sonoma State University Police Department as soon as possible. When calling, 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 or text 911
  • 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.   If the lobby is closed, 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. The Sonoma State University Police Department may revoke campus facility access per campus policy.

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 multidisciplinary 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.  For additional information, please contact Risk Management & Safety Services at [email protected] .

  • Installed AEDs in public areas of multiple buildings to enhance emergency medical response capabilities.
  • Developed and implemented a mold management program.
  • Launched risk assessment and hazard identification/mitigation process for voluntary activities and irregular work conditions.
  • Risk Management sponsored the second annual Campus Safety Week to promote campus safety initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Continued delivery of Sexual Misconduct Bystander and Harm Prevention programs through student ambassadors presentations and educational programs.
  • Upgraded emergency radio system.
  • Provided Keep a Seawolf Safe suicide prevention gatekeeper training to faculty, staff, and students.
  • Provided WellWolves basic training skills for interacting with distressed students to faculty, staff, and students.
  • Provided Naloxone training to faculty, staff, and students and increased distribution of Naloxone.
  • Hosted mental health awareness events.
  • Made drug testing strips available to students, staff, and faculty.
  • Expanded workshops and training focused on respect, inclusion, and preventing bias or harassment.
  • Supported student and employee affinity groups that foster belonging and promote a safe, welcoming campus environment.
  • Continued to create “Save a Seawolf” programming, addressing student health and safety concerns, with a focus on prevention, bystander intervention, reporting, and support services, including training such as: Human Trafficking Training, Healthy Relationships in the Digital Age, Fentanyl speaker for Greek Week, Be Here Tomorrow Mental Health speaker, etc.
  • Red Flag Passive Education around distracted driving and drinking under the influence.
  • Conducted safety-focused sessions during Noma Nation Orientation on AOD (alcohol and other drugs), sexual assault, and bystander intervention, Basic Needs, Campus Advocacy, Mental Health/CAPS resources and education.
  • Hosted an Alcohol, Fentanyl and other drug awareness fair including campus and community resources.
  • Hosted the Health and Well-Being Fair which highlighted mental health.
  • Work with community coalitions (Sonoma County Partnership) to get community resources for students and share info about what we are doing with them. They also attend our Seawolf Success fairs when appropriate.
  • Provided programming on Fentanyl, marijuana, naloxone use, and illicit substances.
  • Hosted awareness events for National Stalking Month, Human Trafficking Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and National Domestic Violence Month.
  • FSL community completed hazing education training both at new member orientation and with chapter members during Greek Week.
  • Rise Above and Seawolves for Recovery Student Orgs educating and supporting students who are in recovery, formerly incarcerated and looking for community.
  • Hosted two Human Trafficking Trainings in November 2024 (2 days) and September 2025 (3 days) for the campus, the local community, and the region about Trafficking Interdiction, Illicit Massage Businesses and Training Advocates.
  • Co-hosted the Premier Screening of a Sonoma County Human Trafficking Survivors documentary and panel discussion.
  • Conducted an exterior campus night walk to review potential safety lighting concerns, open to faculty, students, and staff, to gather feedback on existing lighting issues.
  • Converted over 80% of exterior lighting fixtures from mercury vapor to LED, providing brighter, more reliable, and more sustainable lighting.
  • Completed approximately 50% of interior lighting upgrades, converting fluorescent T8 fixtures to LEDs to improve lighting quality, extend fixture life, and reduce outages and energy consumption.
  • Completed major 12kV distribution system improvements (switch gear and main feeders), with project completion signoff received and only remaining punch-list items underway.
  • Renovated the campus North Ponds, which serve as the campus’s secondary fire water source.
  • Made improvements to reduce false fire alarms in the residential community, including replacing older fire panels, installing self-closing hinges on bathroom doors.
  • Completed high-weed mowing and tree lifting work west of parking Lots L, M, N, and O to address fire safety concerns.
  • Completed pedestrian pathway repairs in key locations across campus.
  • Performed multiple sidewalk concrete repairs to address tree root uplift and improve pedestrian safety.
  • Participated in the Workplace Violence Prevention Program at the Student Health Center.
     

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

  • Implement a new inspection software program to improve reliability and thoroughness of safety inspections.
  • Facilities Management and EH&S to develop and implement a program to guide planning and safety for high hazard work.
  • Launch a youth protection program for university activities involving minor children.
  • Creation of a Title IX informational wallet card for employees outlining how to respond to disclosures, resources on campus, and reporting options.
  • Creation of Restorative Practice training and programs to de-escalate conflict and offer alternative resolutions.
  • Implementation of a collaborative training program with allied first responders across the county.
  • Facilities Management will continue to conduct the annual campus exterior night walk to review safety lighting concerns with faculty, students, and staff.
  • Ongoing relamping of exterior fixtures from mercury vapor to LED as part of routine maintenance, working toward full conversion to LED for more reliable, brighter, and sustainable lighting.
  • Continued interior lighting improvements, expanding the conversion of fluorescent T8 fixtures to LEDs to improve reliability and reduce outages across additional buildings.
  • Advancement of a new MicroGrid energy system, currently at approximately 90% design, to enhance campus energy reliability and resilience.
  • Completion and commissioning of the new 4-megawatt solar array and 1.4-megawatt battery system.
  • Ongoing pedestrian pathway repairs and improvements and continued roadway maintenance.
     

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 data, please contact: [email protected].

Systemwide Hate Crime Reports

The annual systemwide hate crimes report is posted on the systemwide website.