Quiet Protest at SSU

Protestors peacefully decried the university's decision to honor Weill, saying that his role in lobbying for the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act contributed to the financial meltdown that began in late 2007.

Occupy Groups Prepare to Protest Former Citi CEO at "Day of Shame"

Sonoma State University is awarding Sanford and Joan Weill an honorary degree for their $12 million donation to the school. But critics say Weill, the former CEO of Citigroup, is one of the "architects" of the financial crisis and is not an appropriate ch

Occupy groups, including Occupy Petaluma, are planning a “Day of Shame” at Sonoma State University's graduation Saturday to criticize the school for awarding an honorary doctorate for the former CEO of Citigroup who they say helped cause the economic crisis. An estimated 2,300 Sonoma State University students will graduate at
Saturday's 50th anniversary commencement ceremonies in Rohnert Park. Occupy groups are targeting former Citigroup CEO Sanford Weill who donated $12 million to the school’s new Green Music Center. While at Citigroup, Weill successfully lobbied to repeal the Glass Steagall Act, allowing banks to engage in risky investments. The reversal of the Depression-era ban on commercial banks investing depositors’ money opened the…

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LongTimeLocal

1:28 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

So some ideas. Yes, much higher taxes on the ultra rich (but be careful as moving money abroad is easy), stop the job losses abroad - does anyone really think China or wherever could afford the cheap labor if they had to use our worker safety standards and benefits), yes on health care (not Obama's - that's the best legislation the insurance companies could have written themselves), flatten the …   more ›

Protesters Say Weill Doesn't Deserve Degree, Vow No Grauation Disruption

Student body torn. Though some are against the university's decision to give honorary degrees to wealthy donors, many don't want their graduation ceremony disrupted.

Students are conflicted about a demonstration planned at Sonoma State University Saturday — at the same time that an estimated 2,300 students are graduating — to protest the university's award of an honorary doctorate degree to the Weills, who donated millions to the university's Green Music Center. A growing number of students have vetted concerns through social media, saying they're upset the cermony could be disrupted by protesters. However, organizers have defended the protest, saying it won't disrupt the ceremony. "It does not intend in any way to disrupt graduation proceedings," according to organizers — a coalition of Sonoma State faculty, students and local Occupy activists. "On the contrary, this is an urgent call to defend the …

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La Fiesta Re-Opening Stalled

Not enough incoming students for 2012-13 school year, officials reporting.

Community interest has fizzled out about a plan floated by Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified to re-open La Fiesta Elementary — at least for the upcoming school year. The school district didn't meet its goal of enrolling 42 students for the first year, but Superintendent Robert Haley said there's still a possibility La Fiesta will begin classes in 2013-14, the Press Democrat recently reported. The elementary school closed down a few years ago because of significant cuts to the district's budget and declining enrollment numbers. But Haley, who is in his first year as superintendent, said he was studying what it would take to re-open the elementary school this year — part of a districtwide reconfiguration aimed at attracting students back to the …

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Alcohol at the Prom: Do You Support Zero-Tolerance Enforcement?

A bus driver who transported 35 student leaders from Dixon to a prom found a bottle containing alcohol on the bus, prompting the kids to be banned from the dance. If that happened here, would you support the school administration?

  There's a wild story developing up in Dixon, one that you'll probably hear and see on radio and TV news in the coming days (although our Patch buddy Carlos Villatoro is all over it already). You might be interested here in Rohnert Park because we're heading into prom season at area high schools - Rancho Cotate's is May 12, at Santa Rosa's Flamingo Hotel. Thirty-five students from Dixon High's leadership class were banned from their junior prom when someone allegedly left a bottle of vitamin water containing alcohol on the bus that took them to the dance. The students — some of whom had participated in an Every 15 Minutes Program last week warning them of about the dangers of drinking and driving — were stuck outside the venue when they …

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Dine and Donate for Cotati-Rohnert Park Schools

Come to Mary's Pizza Shack this Wednesday to show your support!

Bring the attached flyer in to Mary's Pizza Shack in Rohnert Park Wednesday, April 25 and support Cotati-Rohnert Park Schools! Twenty percent of your bill will be donated to the Education Foundation of Rohnert Park-Cotati. The local pizza and pasta spot is hosting the special all day. Mary's is located at 101 Golf Course Dr. For more information contac 707-585-3500.

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Sonoma State Student Makes Use of Trash

The university's composting program is led by this "amazing student." What a great program, especially since Earth Day is right around the corner! Do you know someone who is doing amazing things? Send an email to angela.hart@patch.com.

Its hard to get excited talking about decomposing food scraps, but not around Diedre Tubb. “It doesn’t smell that bad I promise!” exclaims Tubb, a Sonoma State senior who says she's made compost and waste education her calling. Tubb is currently the sustainability ambassador for dining services on campus, completing an internship with director of dining services Lisa Andresen. It was only after taking a natural resource management class at Santa Rosa Junior College two years ago that she discovered her passion for waste and environmentalism. “I had no idea there was such a huge problem here in California,” says Tubb who transferred to Sonoma State in fall 2010. But after some research, she discovered how much waste was filling landfills …

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Goodwill, Sonoma State Team Up for Clothing Drive

The event is just one way Sonoma State University is commemorating Earth Day, coming up on April 22.

Goodwill and Sonoma State University's residence halls are joining forces on Earth Day, coming up April 22, to donate much-needed clothes and household goods to those in need — instead of throwing them away. The event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the F Parking Lot on campus, raises money for the university's National Residence Hall Honorary and Residential Student Association. Goodwill has agreed to donate funds generated from what's taken in on April 22. "During the summer closing of the campus residence halls, students throw away or donate many items that they no longer need, want or simply cannot fit into their cars," organizers said. Instead, this year the residence halls are sponsoring a clothing, large item and e-waste drive! So if you'…

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