Civil rights complaint filed against SSU following class action lawsuit by coaches
Recently, a group of coaches from Sonoma State University (SSU) took a stand against the planned cuts to the university’s athletic department by filing a civil rights complaint. The Save Seawolves Athletics group, led by SSU coaches, lodged a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, alleging that the elimination of the athletics department would disproportionately impact minority students. The group emphasized that the cuts would have an unfair disparate impact on students from underrepresented communities.
In response to the planned athletic department cuts at SSU, the coaches announced their intention to file a class action lawsuit against the university. They also plan to engage in lobbying efforts at the local and state government levels to save the 11 athletic programs facing elimination. Seeking support from the faculty union and advocating for more transparency in the budgetary decision-making process that led to the cuts, the coaches are determined to challenge the university’s actions. Ben Ziemer, an assistant men’s soccer coach at SSU, mentioned that they have started the legal process by requesting university records through public records access laws to prepare for a class action lawsuit on behalf of the affected student-athletes and faculty members.
As a result of the lobbying efforts by the SSU coaches, Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who represents Sonoma County, reported that over 100 SSU student-athletes have decided to transfer. Notably, the complete men’s golf team and the majority of the men’s soccer team players have opted to transfer, along with several members of the volleyball program. The situation has escalated, leading to significant transfers from the university’s athletic programs.
The wave of student-athlete transfers and the impending changes have caused a sense of uncertainty and turmoil on the SSU campus. With the coaches and athletes taking a stand against the cuts, the campus is bracing for a tumultuous time ahead. The situation is likely to intensify as the week progresses, with potential developments unfolding rapidly.
Listeners are urged to stay tuned to KSRO for updates from Guy Morris of the Press Democrat as the situation at SSU continues to evolve. The campus climate and reactions of students, athletes, and faculty members will be closely monitored to provide a comprehensive understanding of the unfolding events in Rohnert Park.
In conclusion, the civil rights complaint and the planned class action lawsuit against SSU reflect the collective efforts of the coaches to challenge the university’s decision and protect the interests of the student-athletes affected by the cuts. The unfolding events at SSU underscore the significant impact of budgetary decisions on athletic programs and the broader university community. As the situation develops, it remains crucial to monitor the actions and responses of the key stakeholders involved to gauge the potential outcomes of this ongoing controversy.