In a recent decision by the Sonoma County Superior Court, Sonoma State University has been granted the green light to go ahead with its controversial budget-reduction plans, including cutting its NCAA Division II athletics program. A motion filed by seven SSU students, seeking a preliminary injunction and two writs of mandate to prevent the school from executing its plan, was ruled against by the court, KRON4 reported. The court's decision is seen as a significant step for the university, which is facing a $23.9-million budget shortfall this year, aiming to manage the crisis by discontinuing several academic programs and ending its sports programs.
The ruling concluded that the athletic program's elimination did not amount to an abuse of discretion by the university, as SSU had provided evidence suggesting the cuts were necessary for financial stability, according to The Press Democrat. Nonetheless, the decision has been met with disappointment by those closely involved with the athletics programs, including Ben Ziemer, assistant men's soccer coach and a spokesperson for the Save Seawolves Athletics campaign, who has expressed disillusionment with the court's decision and pinned his hopes on intervention from elected officials.
Judge Kenneth English of the Sonoma County Superior Court stated that Sonoma State, which he characterized as "one of the most financially troubled CSU schools," had a reasonable belief its actions would contribute positively to balancing the budget, citing that SSU annually directed $3.3 million from student tuition and state appropriations to its athletics program and another $400,000 to athletic scholarships, reported The Press Democrat. David Seidel, the lead attorney for the student athletes and a former Seawolves soccer player, criticized the court's interpretation of the law and the facts, expressing in a statement that they were "assessing next steps in this important litigation."
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