(BCN) -- Sonoma State University's academic senate voted Thursday to move forward with a facultywide referendum of no confidence targeting three campus and system leaders: CSU Chancellor Mildred García, interim campus President Emily Cutrer and Provost Karen Moranski. The resolution, introduced by California Faculty Association president of Sonoma State and faculty member Elaine Newman, cites budgetary mismanagement, poor financial practices and unstable leadership that have led to layoffs and program cuts. The resolution also points to what faculty described as a lack of shared governance, with major decisions made without senate input or proper consultation. One faculty member said the resolution was not just about individual administrators but about restoring faith in the university's direction. "This issue is really striking a chord with students, athletes, members of the community and faculty," Newman said. "The elimination of athletics and essential academic programs goes to the heart of our mission." Elderly man missing overnight in Sonoma County found Wednesday by K-9 The resolution asks the CSU board of trustees to fire García and expresses no confidence in Cutrer and Moranski. It also calls for a faculty referendum allowing members to vote separately on each leader. Faculty members ultimately voted to waive the first reading of the resolution and proceed to a second reading during the same meeting. Debate over the referendum's structure and logistics continued, and the senate agreed to hold votes by secret ballot. The senate is expected to create a public website to allow the campus community -- including students, staff and faculty -- to submit pro and con statements on the resolution. Submissions can be anonymous and will be categorized by affiliation. If passed, Sonoma State's referendum would become a model for other CSU campuses facing similar concerns. Faculty noted that while no-confidence votes are not binding, they send a strong message about dissatisfaction with leadership. Marc Duran is a fourth-year communications major at Sonoma State University and a member of EdSource's California Student Journalism Corps. Copyright © 2025 Bay City News, Inc. ...read more read less