Congratulations class of 2018
Read list of graduates on page 8-9
SINCE 1979
VOLUME 80 // ISSUE 14 MAY 15 - MAY 21, 2018
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
@SONOMASTATESTAR
Suspect in custody after fatal stabbing at Sonoma State dorms ETHAN HELMS
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
A
uthorities reported a male victim was dead at the scene after an apparent homicide at Sonoma State University on Sunday. Just before 6 p.m., emergency dispatchers sent two ambulances to the Sonoma State campus in response to a reported stabbing in Sauvignon Village, according to university officials. Authorities were able to take a suspect into custody and the campus remained open. “There is no risk to students,” SSU spokesman Paul Gullixson said. “We have somebody we believe is the potential suspect.” University officials described both the victim and the one in custody as “student-aged” males, but according to Lt. Tim Lyons of the Petaluma Police Department neither the victim nor the subject in custody are enrolled at Sonoma State. “All of us at Sonoma State are shocked and saddened by this tragic event,” said university President Judy K. Sakaki “Our hearts go out to all of those who have been impacted.” The victim is a 26-year-old Sonoma County man, but his identity has yet to be released pending notification of family members. The individual arrested has been identified as 19-year-old Tyler J. Bratton of Santa Rosa. Bratton was booked into the Sonoma County Jail and is being held without bail. “At no point were other students at risk, but we are asking any individuals who maybe witnessed something to contact the Petaluma Police Department,” Ly-
STAR // Diego Acevedo (Left) Rohnert Park police barricade Sauvignon Village, not letting any students enter or leave the area after the homicide of a 26-year-old Sonoma County resident. ons said. The university announced via email that finals will continue as scheduled. Any students looking for sup-
port are encouraged to visit the NomaCares Center, which will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the University Library.
Former AS President takes his next step SAMMY SINATRA STAFF WRITER
“I Sonoma State STAR
The Wine Spectator Learning Center is set to open May 29 See in-depth pictures on pg. 5
Over 3,000 students set to graduate at Commencement
JENNIFER DE LA TORRE STAFF WRITER
T
he hard work, late nights and deadlines come to a satisfying and rewarding end in this year’s commencement ceremonies for many Sonoma State graduating seniors. The ceremonies will be separated into different times and days throughout the week. Scheduled ticketing distribution is now complete. However, tickets are not required for the outdoor seating area. There is unlimited seating outside Weill Lawn for commencement ceremonies. According to the SSU Commencement website, tickets are only needed for inside Weill Hall. Each student is allowed two tickets inside Weill Hall for friends and family. All guests attending commencement ceremonies must be in their seats 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony Parking is free on commencement day. There will also be extended parking areas for vehicles with disabled placards. Graduates should arrive one hour before the start of their ceremony, and are expected to line up by Schroeder Hall. The commencement map is available on Sonoma State’s commencement website. The school requires graduating se-
niors to wear the academic regalia. The event is one of celebration, so some seniors may want to decorate their cap. It’s important to note that according to SSU, decorations should be safe and respectful. Glitter on caps are not permitted inside Weill Hall. Sonoma State also has cultural graduation ceremonies. There will be ceremonies for Raza Grad, Rainbow Grad, Black Grad and Asian/ Pacific Islander Grad. There will be a reception for all four cultural graduation groups to come together and celebrate with food and entertainment on May 18 at the Grand Ballroom. Raza Grad celebrates Latinx students with a ceremony that will have entertainment and keynote speakers that are Latinx Sonoma State alumni. They inspire the graduates as they continue their life outside of Sonoma State. The Raza Grad ceremony is a Spanish-only event. According to Raza Grad officials, there are 222 students participating in the ceremony and are expecting 1,500 people in attendance. Raza Grad’s event celebrates the Latinx culture and gives students the opportunity to share their moment with their family on a more intimate level. see COMMENCEMENT on pg. 4
t was a very life-changing experience, being able to be the face of the students of Sonoma State and all the experiences and challenges that came with it,” said former Associated Students president Wilson Hall. “I feel like I learned a lot. I feel like I was able to utilize my understanding and knowledge of Sonoma State and what the students wanted to best represent them.” As Hall’s AS presidency came to a close at Sonoma State University, a new chapter opens up for him as he enters his senior year as VP of University Affairs for the California State Student Association. The CSSA was created by student body presidents and is a nonpartisan, nonprofit student organization. Hall’s position as VP of University Affairs falls under one of five officer positions that serve as volunteer representatives of the association, doing work each day to carry out the vision of the board of directors. “I’m the voting member for Sonoma State on the board…this is something that I go to every month, at a different CSU campus and we discuss
different issues pertaining to higher education,” Hall said. “There’s different committees to the board that work to support students in the CSU as a whole; my constituents were the 23 AS campuses.” With Hall just recently finding out about his new position, he said it felt great to see student leaders he has worked with believed in his advocacy and what he could do to support students in the CSU. “I’m really looking forward to working on issues that support students systemwide,” he said. According to Hall, this new position will be a lot less of a time commitment in the sense that he won’t be going to meetings day to day, either within AS, or university-wide commitments. Expanding on that, he said being a part of CSSA is more of working with the CSSA staff. Alongside this change in leadership for Hall, is ref lection on the past year as AS president. “I do feel like I made a lot of contributions. I felt like we had an effective voice with administration this year,” Hall said. see HALL on pg. 4
Courtesy // CSSA Wilson Hall will serve as the VP of Student Affairs for the Cal State Student Association