sonoma state group tours

Group Campus Tours

Sonoma State University is excited to host your school or student organization for a fun and informative campus tour. We want your field trip experience to be as easy to plan and coordinate as possible.  

We offer group tours Monday through Friday, excluding campus holidays and during SSU final’s week. Hours may change during the summer. SSU Tour Guides can accommodate up to 50 students each. We can accommodate up to 100 students per session by splitting the group in half and having two tour guides lead each group separately. The outdoor walking tour is about 60-75 minutes long and takes place rain or shine. Please be sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly to make the most of your visit.  

Need to reschedule?

We understand that plans can change and you may need to cancel your campus tour. If that is the case and/or you have any other questions, please email the Welcome Center via [email protected] or call (707) 664-3020. We kindly ask that you provide us with as much notice as possible to allow the date and time to become available for another organization.

We are looking forward to meeting you and your students!

Sonoma State University is proudly affiliated with NCAA Division II and is part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).  We welcome you to be a part of the exciting and dynamic world of SSU athletics and attend a game during your next campus visit. 

Campus Dining

On campus dining venues support our community and visitors by providing fresh, delicious, and memorable food experiences. See what venues are open during your visit and stop in to grab a meal or beverage. 

Culinary Services

Campus Tours

On a campus tour, you will learn about SSU's academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and bustling student life, and get to view our beautiful campus and dorms! 

Campus Recreation

Memberships and daily passes are available at Campus Recreation. With a membership, you will have access to use amenities including the Fitness Center, indoor track, Climbing Wall, cardio equipment, game room, Everest Gym, and Mt. Denaili Multi-Activity Court, Group Fitness classes, locker rooms, the spa, towel service, and studios. 

Campus is always buzzing with exciting events. Learn more:

Seawolf Calendar

Green Music Center

Witness awe-inspiring performances and artists year-round at the world-class Green Music Center. See what's coming up:

Parking permits are required when visiting campus. Learn more about visitor parking permits:

Parking Permit Information

University Store

The University Store is located on the second floor of the Student Center and has a large selection of SSU apparel and gear, supplies, gifts, snacks, and convenience items. 

Jump to content

• Toggle Menu

Common Searches

• What majors and minors are offered?
• Where can I find information about graduate programs?
• How much is tuition?
• What financial aid packages are available?
• Where can I log in to SSU Online?
• Faculty & Staff
• Administration
• Divisions & Departments
• Strategic Plan

Sustainability

• Degree Programs
• Schools & Departments
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Support
• Advising Central
• Schedule of Classes
• Experience Sonoma State
• How to Apply
• I Have Applied
• Financial Aid
• Student Fees & Charges
• Associated Students
• Seawolf Living
• Clubs & Organizations
• Fraternities & Sororities
• Campus Recreation
• Culinary Services
• Things to do at SSU
• About the Area
• Seawolf Calendar
• Social Media Feeds
• Insights Magazine
• Campus Updates
• For the Media
• Green Music Center
• Box Office Tickets

Explore our exceptional programs

Discover the beauty of the SSU campus

Sonoma State University

REQUEST INFORMATION

Opportunities

We invest in state-of-the-art learning environments, innovative partnerships, and inspiring faculty.

We recognize each person's full potential, equipping you for success through our curriculum and community.

Study with professors who encourage civic engagement, social responsibility, and global awareness.

Affordability

Through a robust financial aid program, Sonoma State is able to provide a high-quality, affordable education.

Campus Life

Our unique residential villages and student organizations help you develop deep and sustaining connections with fellow students.

Sonoma State University is a proud member of the California State University, one of the most affordable univers​ity systems in the nation.

Academic Schools

in the CSU for TRANSFER GRADUATION RATES

UNIVERSITY HOUSING in the CSU

STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO

Receive SCHOLARSHIPS and FINANCIAL AID

In the CSU for first-time freshmen  4-YEAR GRADUATION RATES

Affordable, Quality Education

Sonoma State University is part of the nation’s largest and most affordable public four-year university system. Our robust financial aid program is able to provide access to a high-quality education while maintaining affordability. In fact, 73 percent of SSU students receive some form of financial aid. We encourage you to explore all your financial aid options so you can pursue your dreams at Sonoma State

EXPLORE FINANCIAL AID

A Place Where You Belong

Our unique residential villages foster friendship and cultivate community, enhancing and enriching your academic journey.

EXPLORE OUR TOP-RATED HOUSING

A Setting That Inspires

SSU is a shining example of what makes Sonoma County one of the world’s most desirable locations.

#34 Most Beautiful Campus in the Country

Come See for Yourself

VIRTUAL TOUR

BOOK A TOUR

EXPLORE THE AREA

Campus Created for Connection

The Sonoma State experience is all about community, and with more than 100 student-led clubs and organizations on campus, including 20 active sororities and fraternities, there is a place in the Seawolf community for everyone.

GET ENGAGED

Your Journey Starts Now

TALK TO AN ADVISOR TODAY

Events & News

EdSource is committed to bringing you the latest in education news.

But we can’t do this without readers like you.

Will you join our spring campaign as one of 50 new monthly supporters before May 22?

Student journalists on the frontlines of protest coverage

How can California teach more adults to read in English?

Hundreds of teachers in limbo after spike in pink slips

How earning a college degree put four California men on a path from prison to new lives | Documentary 

Patrick Acuña’s journey from prison to UC Irvine | Video

Family reunited after four years separated by Trump-era immigration policy

Black teachers: How to recruit them and make them stay

Lessons in higher education: California and beyond

Keeping California public university options open

Superintendents: Well-paid and walking away

The debt to degree connection

College in prison: How earning a degree can lead to a new life

May 14, 2024

Getting California kids to read: What will it take?

April 24, 2024

Is dual admission a solution to California’s broken transfer system?

California Student Journalism Corps 

Campus tour guides set the tone for college prospects’ first impressions

JAVIER HERNANDEZ

October 18, 2023.

EdSource’s journalism is always free for everyone — because we believe an informed public is necessary for a more equitable future for every student. Join our spring campaign as one of 50 new monthly supporters before May 22.

“First impressions are everything,” according to Sonoma State University tour guide Jennifer Garcia. “For a while, I didn’t really think about how important my first impression impacts tour guests.” 

As a first line of engagement for colleges, a campus tour can be a game-changer for a student who is deciding between schools. Everything a tour guide says can impact the school, and ultimately it makes a difference for a university trying to maintain or increase its enrollment. An enthusiastic tour guide can sway students and families to that institution, while a good tour can confirm an already positive impression.

Garcia said she realized her first impression really mattered “when a family recognized me at Seawolf Decision Day a year after they toured the school with me. The family was super friendly, and I [imagine] my good first impression made them feel comfortable even a year later.”  

Added Sonoma State tour guide Olivia Kalogiannis, “I think the most important part when meeting prospective students for the first time is making a true connection. As a campus tour guide, I want to make the campus feel as personable as I can.”

Most college campus tour guides are current students themselves; their main goal while on tour is to convince prospective students to come to the school by presenting some of the same reasons that lured them.

To become a student campus tour guide at Sonoma State, applicants need to show they have a passion for the institution and a willingness to learn. The tour script, the route and the mannerisms are all predetermined and can be taught, as long as enthusiasm and effort are evident.

Besides giving one-hour tours, shifts for guides might include answering phones in the welcome center, greeting incoming visitors and making gift bags for tour guests. In the spring, when tour season is busiest, guides sometimes lead two or three tours during a shift.

Tours happen rain or shine, and guides have to be able to pivot at any point during their tour, such as when there’s an obstacle blocking the traditional tour path, or noise necessitates a new route.

“Nothing really changes for me when it comes to an obstruction with a tour. I just try to make the tour seem as normal as possible. For example, if I have to change the route because it’s too loud, I’ll just direct my group into a space that is quieter, but I make it seem like it’s just part of the tour,” said tour guide Daniel Beglin.

The guides see a variety of visitors. There are people who come in by themselves, some bring a parent, guardian or friend, and others bring their whole families. Connecting with everyone matters.

Kalogiannis understands that the decision on where to attend could be influenced by others on the tour. “I believe interacting with the whole family is just as important as interacting with the student. My favorite part about doing this is getting people excited about college, whether that is a younger sibling, cousin or even the grandparents.”

The most common tour-takers are those who are excited, have many questions and can’t wait to be a part of the campus community. These types of tour-takers are some of the easiest to spot for guides because they come very eager and excited to be on tour. But plenty of tour-goers are more reserved people who may have a lot of questions but don’t ask them, at least not in front of the whole group. 

And occasionally, guests come in with negative attitudes about the school or are loaded with difficult questions. Guides still try to convince those tourists that Sonoma State is worth considering — answering tough questions truthfully — while trying to showcase the school in a positive light. 

“When it comes to people with negative attitudes, it automatically makes it more difficult for me. No matter how hard I try, they still can just deny or put down everything I say. Nevertheless, I try not to let it affect me. My goal is to make the tour as enjoyable as I can for everyone,” Beglin said. 

For people with difficult questions, Beglin said, “I try to answer them to the best of my ability, but I don’t want to give anyone the wrong information. So if I can’t answer it, I direct them to where they can get the correct information.” 

Kalogiannis assesses the personality types on her tours quickly. “I try to talk to everyone; after that first interaction, I get an idea of what their vibes are for the tour.” 

When tour guests aren’t as interactive as she would like, she pulls back a bit. “If people still aren’t engaging with me, I will kind of just let them be, [hoping] that the small interaction with me will lead to them being more receptive and asking questions later on the tour.” 

Sonoma State tour guide Emily Uhrich sees her role as that of a mentor. “My favorite part about being a campus tour guide is meeting and helping (the visitors). I like being a mentor, especially for those who are first-generation, like I am. I want to help them navigate college because I know it can be very confusing if you are the first in your family to go to college.”

Former tour guide Sean Kenneally has parlayed his role, post-graduation, into a job as an outreach and recruitment counselor for Sonoma State.

“Growing up in Southern California, people tend to lean toward ‘big brand name’ schools like Harvard, USC and NYU,” Kenneally said. “I took this job because I truly enjoy talking to prospective students and showcasing the opportunities a state education can provide. I think it’s important to show that the CSU system is a viable and accessible option for higher education.” 

Javier Hernandez graduated in May with a degree in communications and media studies from Sonoma State University. He is a member of EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps and has worked as a campus tour guide since the fall 2021.

Share Article

Comments (1)

Leave a comment, your email address will not be published. required fields are marked * *.

Click here to cancel reply.

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Comments Policy

We welcome your comments. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. Click here for EdSource's Comments Policy .

Bob Capriles 7 months ago 7 months ago

Your article brought some fond memories for me. Though I was not an official tour guide, my wife and I did give a tour to a prospective student at the university where we attended and met. Since this was a personalized tour, we also ventured off campus to downtown and Bidwell Park. We got to share our fond memories and challenges in college. Our son, that prospective student, graduated last May from Chico State.

EdSource Special Reports

Fewer than half of California students are reading by third grade, experts say. Worse still, far fewer Black and Latino students meet that standard. What needs to change?

For the four men whose stories are told in this documentary, just the chance to earn the degree made it possible for them to see themselves living a different life outside of prison.

Amid Israel-Hamas war, colleges draw lines on faculty free speech

The conflict in Gaza has rekindled efforts to control controversy and conversation on campuses. The UC system could be the latest to weigh in.

Dissent, no funding yet for statewide teacher training in math and reading

A bill sponsored by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond would provide math and reading training for all teachers. But money is scarce, and some English language advocates have problems with phonics.

EdSource in your inbox!

Stay ahead of the latest developments on education in California and nationally from early childhood to college and beyond. Sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email.

Stay informed with our daily newsletter

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

• 4th Grade School Tours

Guided school tours of Sonoma State Historic Park (Mission San Francisco Solano and General Vallejo’s Home) and the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park are offered throughout the school year.

To book a tour call Reserve California at (866)240-4655 or visit their website at  reservecalifornia.com

For any additional questions regarding schools tours please email  [email protected]  or call (707) 938-9560.

Special for 4th Graders: Visit the Sonoma Mission to pick up your free information packet to help with your Mission Project! 

• Docent Tours
• Private Group Tours
• Facilities for Private Events
• Environmental Studies Program

SONOMA WINE RIDES

[email protected]

(707) 328-1408

Sonoma Wine Tours

Join In Group Wine Tasing Tours

Our Small Group Tours

$127.49/per person

5-6 Hour Experience*

Free Pick up and Drop off

Pick up between 10:00-11:00

Maximum of 12 Guests

No Pretentiousness

Experience Sonoma Safely

We will reach out to you the day prior to the tour with your exact pick up time, and the itinerary for the day.

*Times are approximate --  This is not a timed experience. 

The Experience

Visit Three Wineries

We choose the wineries

Charcuterie Lunch Provided

Bottled Water Available

Small Group Experience

We have fun

Tasting Fees Not included

Tasting Fees are not included in this tour.  We believe our guests should be able to have their fees waived either by minimum purchases or by joining the wine clubs.  Fees range from $20.00/pp to $40.00/pp at each winery (Varies by winery)

Where we pick up

Vacation Rentals​

Bed and Breakfasts

Meeting Spots

131 Stony Circle Santa Rosa​

Sonoma City Hall

The Plaza in Healdsburg

Smart Train Stations

We can accommodate most locations within our service area.  Please input your desired pick up location at the time of your booking. 

Cities we serve

Rohnert Park

Petaluma/Penngrove

Kenwood/Glen Ellen

We service most of Sonoma County.  If you do not see where you are staying on the list, please reach out, we may be able to accommodate your Sonoma County location

Sonoma Wine Rides Can Answer Your Sonoma Wine Tasting Tour Questions

We understand you may have more questions.  Feel free to book a consultation and we will give you a call at your desired time and answer any questions you may have.  If you are ready to book, we can also handle the booking over the phone.

Free Sonoma Wine Tours Consultation

Sonoma Wine Rides visits several different AVA's (American Viticultural Area) or growing regions in Sonoma County. Our Join in Group Wine Tasting Tours will usually visit either the Sonoma Valley or the Dry Creek Valley.  We may occasionally visit the Russian River Valley or the Alexander Valley as well

Sonoma Wine Rides Charcuterie  Boxes

Individual and Customizable

​ Our charcuterie selection includes salami, assorted cheeses such as blue cheese and white coastal cheddar, a variety of crackers, apples, grapes, Spanish olives, almonds, and dried apricots (not pictured – they are camera shy). This spread is substantial enough to serve as a meal for our staff. If you would like to add an extra charcuterie, they are available for purchase directly through us for an additional $15.00 each. ​ If you have specific dietary restrictions, we are happy to accommodate substitutions from our standard offerings.

Education | Sonoma State University president put on leave…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

• Latest News
• Environment
• Transportation

Education | Sonoma State University president put on leave after announcing agreement with pro-Palestinian group

The message by Sonoma State University President Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee was issued “without the appropriate approvals,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the 23-campus CSU system, in a statement Wednesday.

Lee quickly issued an apology for the agreement he announced Tuesday after meetings with students who set up a campus encampment, one of many that have appeared at colleges to protest Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas and to press schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it .

“My goal when meeting with students at the encampment was to explore opportunities to make meaningful change, identify common ground and create a safe and inclusive campus for all. I now realize that many of the statements I made in my campuswide message did just the opposite,” Lee wrote.

“In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community. I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it,” Lee said.

In his original message, Lee endorsed student activism, protest and dissent.

“None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction,” Lee had said Tuesday in announcing that an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine was being established at Sonoma State.

Lee said a review of all university foundation investments and vendor contracts was being launched.

“After the review, the Advisory Council of SJP and SSU administrators will meet with proper officials to determine a course of action leading to divestment strategies that include seeking ethical alternatives,” Lee said.

Lee said Sonoma State has no faculty or student exchange agreements in Israel and would not in the future.

Sonoma State “will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions,” he said.

Lee added that engagement with “individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity” would be welcome.

• Report an error
• Policies and Standards

More in Education

College Sports | Former East Bay football star Rashada sues Florida coach, others over failed $14 million NIL deal

Local News | Saratoga students win scholarships for ‘accomplishment in their field’

Health | What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Education | how the promise of big energy savings in one bay area school district led to a $50 million controversy.

Visit the Health Advisories website for the latest vaccination and mask information and to Report a Case.

Questions about FAFSA and CADAA?

Visit our Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for updated information, workshops and FAQs.

Student Outreach and Recruitment

Campus Tours

Welcome to San Jose State University's Campus Tours page! Get ready to explore our vibrant campus, learn about our diverse student community, and discover the many academic opportunities that await you at SJSU.

Student Ambassador Led Tours

If you are looking to book a campus tour with us led by our awesome SOAR student ambassador team, please select one of the following: an Individual/Family tour or a School/Group tour. 

Individual and Family Tours

Join us for a one-hour Individual and Family Campus Tour, led by our knowledgeable student ambassadors, and experience the vibrant and diverse community of San Jose State University as you explore our beautiful campus, state-of-the-art facilities, and academic programs.

School and Group Tours

Discover all that San Jose State University has to offer with our School/Group Tour program, designed for educational groups (up to 50 individuals per group). Led by experienced student ambassadors, the outdoor walking tour offers an in-depth look at campus life, academic programs, and our state-of-the-art facilities, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and explore.

*Unfortunately, we are not currently offering guided tours for elementary and middle school groups. However, K-8 groups are welcome to visit campus, take a self-guided tour, and can pick up materials at our Welcome Center. You can also visit the children and teens center in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

Self-Guided Tours

Embark on a self-guided walking tour of San Jose State University's vibrant campus and explore at your own pace. The tour provides an excellent opportunity to discover the campus's history, academic programs, and state-of-the-art facilities while following a designated route that includes significant campus landmarks. You can visit the Welcome Center and embark on a personalized journey to learn more about what SJSU has to offer.

Self Guided Tour Map [pdf]

Preparing for Your Visit

Video tours.

Take an interactive campus tour at your own pace! This option allows you to experience our campus through pre-recorded narration and vibrant images. This experience is available for both desktop and mobile devices.

Virtual Tour

Watch along as Lola, a current SJSU student, walks you through the beautiful SJSU campus.

Discover San Jose State University's on-campus housing options from the comfort of your own home with our virtual housing tour. Join us as we provide an in-depth look at residence halls and apartment-style living, as well as the amenities and services available to students.

Housing Tour Info

Sanreet, an SJSU Student Ambassador, will guide you through our Student Union and show you the services, study spots and favorite places that make the Student Union a special place to visit.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library offers study spaces, research support, 3D printing, and student computing services. Take a video tour and learn about even more resources offered.

The San José Public Library hosts class visits at the Dr. Martin Luther King Library for children and teens during operating hours. Please visit: https://www.sjpl.org/visit to learn more and schedule a visit. 

Tour the Hammer Theatre and imagine the live performances by SJSU and national and international performing artists.

The Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center (SRAC) is a state-of-the-art facility that houses everything you need to begin or maintain your fitness goals. This includes a 20,000 sq. ft. of cardio/strength equipment, three full-court gyms,1/8-mile indoor track, climbing wall, 50-meter lap pool and a recreation pool with sundeck.

California university president put on leave after announcing agreement with pro-Palestinian group

The chancellor of the California State University system has suspended the president of its Sonoma campus for announcing an agreement with pro-Palestinian activists to pursue an academic boycott of Israeli institutions and divestment strategies

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — The chancellor of the California State University system has suspended the president of its Sonoma campus for announcing an agreement with pro-Palestinian activists to pursue an academic boycott of Israeli institutions as well as “divestment strategies.”

The message by Sonoma State University President Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee was issued “without the appropriate approvals,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the 23-campus CSU system, in a statement Wednesday.

“For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative l​eave,” García said.

Lee quickly issued an apology for the agreement he announced Tuesday after meetings with students who set up a campus encampment, one of many that have appeared at colleges to protest Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas and to press schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it .

“My goal when meeting with students at the encampment was to explore opportunities to make meaningful change, identify common ground and create a safe and inclusive campus for all. I now realize that many of the statements I made in my campuswide message did just the opposite,” Lee wrote.

“In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community. I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it,” Lee said.

In his original message, Lee endorsed student activism, protest and dissent.

“None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction,” Lee had said Tuesday in announcing that an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine was being established at Sonoma State.

Lee said a review of all university foundation investments and vendor contracts was being launched.

“After the review, the Advisory Council of SJP and SSU administrators will meet with proper officials to determine a course of action leading to divestment strategies that include seeking ethical alternatives,” Lee said.

Lee said Sonoma State has no faculty or student exchange agreements in Israel and would not in the future.

Sonoma State “will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions,” he said.

Lee added that engagement with “individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity” would be welcome.

•   Weather

Search location by ZIP code

Sonoma state president put on leave for 'insubordination' after agreement with pro-palestinian group.

• Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied!

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

The chancellor of the California State University system has suspended the president of its Sonoma campus for announcing an agreement with pro-Palestinian activists to pursue an academic boycott of Israeli institutions as well as “divestment strategies.”

The message by Sonoma State University President Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee was issued “without the appropriate approvals,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the 23-campus CSU system, in a statement Wednesday.

“For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave,” García said.

Lee quickly issued an apology for the agreement he announced Tuesday after meetings with students who set up a campus encampment, one of many that have appeared at colleges to protest Israel's actions in the war with Hamas and to press schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it .

“My goal when meeting with students at the encampment was to explore opportunities to make meaningful change, identify common ground and create a safe and inclusive campus for all. I now realize that many of the statements I made in my campuswide message did just the opposite,” Lee wrote.

“In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community. I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it,” Lee said.

In his original message, Lee endorsed student activism, protest and dissent.

“None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction,” Lee had said Tuesday in announcing that an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine was being established at Sonoma State.

Lee said a review of all university foundation investments and vendor contracts was being launched.

“After the review, the Advisory Council of SJP and SSU administrators will meet with proper officials to determine a course of action leading to divestment strategies that include seeking ethical alternatives,” Lee said.

Lee said Sonoma State has no faculty or student exchange agreements in Israel and would not in the future.

Sonoma State “will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions,” he said.

Lee added that engagement with “individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity” would be welcome.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app .

Campus Tours

Section menu close, undergraduate admissions.

• Apply to Stan State
• Admitted? Next Steps
• Appeal Decision
• Admission Events
• Dates & Deadlines
• Freshman Admission
• Transfer Admission
• Submitting Documents
• Meet the Team

Contact Information

Mary Stuart Rogers, MSR 140

Explore Stanislaus State

The Student Recruitment and Outreach team is excited to host you on campus!

Individual & Family Campus Tours

Schedule a Tour

In a one-hour tour, our friendly tour guides will walk you through our Turlock campus, taking you on a scenic stroll outside our campus facilities. You will learn about our academic offerings, student life and services directly from a Stan State Warrior. Reserve your space today for a guaranteed guided tour!

Individual/Family Tours do not include a housing tour.  If you are interested in exploring our housing facility, please contact our housing department at (209) 667-3675 or book an appointment through the   Housing website.  

It's easy to schedule your tour!

1. Click the "Schedule a Tour" button above.

2. Select your preferred date and time on the calendar.

3.  A pop-up will appear with tour date information. Select  Register as Guest  at the bottom of the screen. Proceed to fill out your contact information and click, "Request a Tour," at the end of the form.  

A University Ambassador will send you an email within  two business days to confirm your tour time. 

Fall Individual Tour Hours

Spring tour reservations open in late December

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Meeting Location

Our friendly tour guides will be ready to greet you in the Mary Stuart Rogers Building  (MSR140)

Late Policy

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time to check in. Due to high demands, late arrivals will not be guaranteed a tour; alternatives may be offered.

A complimentary guest parking permit and information will be provided after your tour request has been confirmed.

For walk-in tour requests, paid, daily parking passes are also available at parking permit dispensers throughout campus (valid on unmarked spaces only). The closest dispenser is located near Parking Lot 2. 

Group Campus Tours

Submit a Group Tour Request

In a 90 minute tour,  our friendly University Ambassadors will walk prospective students through the Turlock campus, taking them on a scenic stroll outside campus facilities. Students will learn about  academic offerings, student life, and support services directly from current Stan State Warriors. Reserve your spot today for a guaranteed guided tour!

Group Tours do not include a housing tour.  If you are interested in exploring our housing facility, please contact our housing department at (209) 667-3675 or book an appointment through the following Housing website.

Fall Group Tour Hours

Monday - Friday 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.

Student Drop Off Location

Your friendly tour guide(s) will meet you at the n orth end of the Reflecting Pond ten minutes before your scheduled tour time. 

Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Depending on time, late arrivals may not be guaranteed a full tour; alternatives may be offered. If your group is delayed, please contact our campus tours office at (209) 667-3811 ahead of time to let us know and plan accordingly.

Large groups traveling via bus, will find bus parking on the side curve of Merced Way near Parking Lot 10 . Look out for bus parking signage.

Small groups traveling via van or car, will require a parking permit. A complimentary guest parking permit and information will be emailed after your tour request has been confirmed.

Paid General Daily parking passes are also available at parking permit dispensers throughout campus (valid on unmarked spaces only). The closest dispenser is located near Parking Lot 2. 

Stockton Campus Tours

In a tour, our friendly tour guides will walk you through our Stockton campus. You will learn about our academic offerings and services directly from a Stan State Warrior. Reserve your space today for a guided tour!

To schedule a Stockton Campus tour contact the Stockton campus at (209) 513-9400 or  [email protected]  

Our friendly tour guides will be ready to greet you in the Stockton Campus (Acacia Court)   612 East Magnolia Street

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time to check in.

Parking is free of charge at our Stockton Campus. 

For questions regarding campus tours, please contact our campus tours office at (209) 667-3811 or email us at  [email protected] . We are here to answer your questions.

If you have any questions or concerns about our tours for the Stockton Campus  please call (209) 513-9400 or email us at [email protected]  

Housing Tours

Sign up for a Housing Tour  

Tours of the Residential Life Village are available separately through the Stanislaus State housing office.  Currently housing tours are available by appointment or drop-in at the following times:

Mondays: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Fridays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drop-in tours on those days and outside of the hours above are subject to office assistant availability. For additional questions and information please contact our housing department at (209) 667-3675.

Updated: May 01, 2024

Modal Title

Jump to navigation

• Toggle Menu

Common Searches

• What majors and minors are offered?
• Where can I find information about graduate programs?
• How much is tuition?
• What financial aid packages are available?
• Where can I log in to SSU Online?
• Faculty & Staff
• Administration
• Divisions & Departments
• Strategic Plan
• Sustainability
• Degree Programs
• Schools & Departments
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Support
• Advising Central
• Schedule of Classes
• Experience Sonoma State
• How to Apply
• I Have Applied
• Financial Aid
• Student Fees & Charges
• Seawolf Living
• Clubs & Organizations
• Campus Recreation
• Associated Students
• Fraternities & Sororities
• Culinary Services
• Things to Do at SSU
• About the Area
• Seawolf Calendar
• Social Media Feeds
• Insights Magazine
• Campus Updates
• For the Media
• Green Music Center
• Box Office Tickets

There is currently no content classified with this term.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

California university president put on leave after announcing agreement with pro-Palestinian group

• Copy Link copied

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (AP) — The chancellor of the California State University system has suspended the president of its Sonoma campus for announcing an agreement with pro-Palestinian activists to pursue an academic boycott of Israeli institutions as well as “divestment strategies.”

The message by Sonoma State University President Ming-Tung “Mike” Lee was issued “without the appropriate approvals,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the 23-campus CSU system, in a statement Wednesday.

“For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave,” García said.

Lee quickly issued an apology for the agreement he announced Tuesday after meetings with students who set up a campus encampment, one of many that have appeared at colleges to protest Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas and to press schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it .

“My goal when meeting with students at the encampment was to explore opportunities to make meaningful change, identify common ground and create a safe and inclusive campus for all. I now realize that many of the statements I made in my campuswide message did just the opposite,” Lee wrote.

“In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community. I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it,” Lee said.

In his original message, Lee endorsed student activism, protest and dissent.

“None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction,” Lee had said Tuesday in announcing that an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine was being established at Sonoma State.

Lee said a review of all university foundation investments and vendor contracts was being launched.

“After the review, the Advisory Council of SJP and SSU administrators will meet with proper officials to determine a course of action leading to divestment strategies that include seeking ethical alternatives,” Lee said.

Lee said Sonoma State has no faculty or student exchange agreements in Israel and would not in the future.

Sonoma State “will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions,” he said.

Lee added that engagement with “individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity” would be welcome.

The magical California state park that doesn’t allow visitors

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

About 60 miles north of Sacramento, the Sutter Buttes rise starkly from the floor of the Central Valley, the remnants of a volcano active more than 1.4 million years ago. Their cathedral-like spires twist upward, some reaching more than 2,000 feet into the sky — an imposing circular formation, 10 miles in diameter, that’s been called “the smallest mountain range in the world.”

Sheltered within these lava domes is an oasis of rolling hills, rich with wildflowers and Native American artifacts, and watched over by hawks and countless other species of birds.

Bitter debates over the lack of public access to the Sutter Buttes have roiled for years. But most everyone on both sides agrees on this: They encompass some of the most magical and otherworldly terrain in California. Long sacred to Native American tribes, the formation is now home mainly to cattle that chomp grass behind stone walls built by Chinese laborers more than a century ago, oblivious to the fact that some people want to throw open the gates and some want to keep them locked forever.

For the last two decades, the Sutter Buttes have also been home to a California state park that almost no one is allowed to visit.

For the record:

7:30 a.m. May 20, 2024 An earlier version of this article misspelled the last name of the famed landscape architect who helped establish the National Park Service as Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. His last name is spelled Olmsted.

In 2003, the state of California spent about $3 million to buy 1,800 acres on the north side of the buttes, including an idyllic stretch of emerald called “Peace Valley.” The government has eyed a park in this ruggedly beautiful landscape since the inception of the state parks system in the 1920s. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the famed landscape architect who helped establish the National Park Service and also surveyed potential parkland for California in those early years, put it on a state park wish list, along with such gems as Point Lobos on the Monterey County coast and Donner Lake in Northern California.

In 2005, the state finally achieved its goal — sort of. The State Park and Recreation Commission officially declared its 1,785 acres a park. The property has its own state-sponsored webpage and a budget for conservation and maintenance.

What it does not have is any way for the public to get in.

“Please note: There is currently no public access point to enter this park,” reads a notice in big red letters at the top of the webpage.

Beneath that are breathtaking photos: sunlight glinting off a placid lake; a dirt road leading up a verdant hill; a haunting photo of the buttes at sunset — from a distance.

That last image — the one from a distance — is the only way most people can view the park.

The issue, according to current and former parks officials, is that all the roads leading into the Sutter Buttes are privately owned. And none of the landowners — some of whom have had title to the land since before California entered the union — will give the state permission to use those roads for park visitors. Nor has the state found anyone willing to sell them property near a public road that could be used to access the park.

With the impasse in its 20th year, state officials instead allow a few people into the park on occasion for carefully guided visits.

State parks officials were not available for an interview to discuss the situation, but said in a statement that the department “continues to look for opportunities to either secure land or easements to provide access.” So far, nothing has come up.

Many locals say the current status — an empty state park — suits them just fine. The Sutter Buttes are a precious ecosystem, they say, filled with delicate tribal artifacts and threatened species. It isn’t the same, they argue, as a state park in the immense Sierra Nevada or vast inland deserts or along the glittering coast.

“This little blob in the middle of the Sacramento Valley is so sensitive to encroachment,” said Marty Steidlmayer, 59, whose family has owned land in the Sutter Buttes since the 1930s. A state park, he said, would “let people in, free and unattended,” which could lead to vandalism, fires and degradation. “It’s not a good idea,” he said.

Sutter County Supervisor Mat Conant agreed. “It is more important to protect those land rights,” he said, noting that “some families have held that land for close to 200 years.”

Francis Coats is one of the few local landowners who think the state needs to find a way to let in the public.

“It’s absolutely beyond me why it’s not open,” said Coats, whose family has been in the area since the 19th century. Coats said he owns a small interest in 160 acres on the north side of South Butte, and so strong is the antipathy toward access that he faced death threats when he first tried to visit his own parcel.

The Sutter Buttes, though little heralded in modern-day California, have played an outsize role in the state’s history.

The Maidu people took refuge there for thousands of years during periods when the Sacramento Valley flooded. They believed it was a resting point for spirits on their journey to the afterlife.

In the 1840s, Kit Carson and Gen. John C. Fremont, fresh from their savage massacres of Native Americans in the north state, hid out in the buttes and plotted to seize California from Mexico. Then they headed to Sonoma County to lend support to the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. Their Republic of California was short-lived, but helped stoke the Mexican-American War, which paved the way for California to join the United States.

When state officials first proposed a park in the Sutter Buttes in the 1920s, local newspapers took the opportunity to celebrate this history.

“These rugged hills hold a prized place in the hearts of Californians,” the Sacramento Union wrote in 1931. “They are indelibly linked with the romance of the state’s secession from Mexican rule.”

The park didn’t come to fruition then, and the Depression and World War II created other priorities.

The state tried again in the 1970s, putting money in a parks bond to fund the purchase of tens of thousands of acres in the Sutter Buttes. Local landowners were horrified, and the county Board of Supervisors voted in opposition. “We’ll fight them, right down the line,” Supervisor J.A. Bagley told the local newspaper.

The state backed down. But within the parks department, some never dropped the dream.

The department’s chief of land acquisition, Warren Westrup, knew how to play a long game. Westrup, who worked for the state for 37 years, figured out how to put together parcels of land, piece by piece, until a vision came to fruition.

He did it in the Santa Monica Mountains, where state officials devised ways to purchase land for a trail that connects communities from Los Angeles to Malibu; and in Chino Hills, buying one canyon after another until eventually a whole park came to fruition.

In 2003, Westrup heard through an intermediary that someone with land in the buttes was looking to sell. He arranged for its purchase, even though he was aware the property was surrounded by private land blocked by private gates and accessible only via a private road.

Parks officials moved forward to establish the park with the notion that they eventually could persuade someone else to sell them land adjacent to a public road, where they could build a parking lot, bathrooms and maybe a few tents for people to camp.

The problem: No one would sell.

Most of the land in the buttes is held by a small number of legacy families who primarily use the fields for grazing cattle and sheep. No one lives in the interior, although there are a few homes on the outside.

After the state pushed for a park in the 1970s, some landowners feared the government might take their property. To stave that off, they began providing guided tours that granted limited access to the public and also to researchers. Local schoolchildren were also invited in.

They hired a manager, who moved into a cabin for the job, along with his wife, their golden retriever and their cat. They fell in love with the quiet grandeur of the area — all except for the cat, who was snatched by an eagle and never seen again.

“Some places just attract us more powerfully than others,” Walt Anderson, the manager, explained in a 2006 oral history. “I mean, everybody loves the profile of the buttes when they pass it, but once they get inside, I mean, they’re hooked.”

Steidlmayer, who owns land adjacent to the state park, said officials have told him “that the state will buy anything that we would be willing to sell. But that is the last thing my family would ever do.”

Travel & Experiences

What to know about California’s new state park, a scenic green space where two rivers meet

Towering oaks, converging rivers, vibrant wildlife. You’ll be able to see it all on the 1,600 acres near the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers.

April 23, 2024

Even some outdoor enthusiasts have reservations about opening the park.

Lisa Lindman, executive director of the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust , said she has come to view the issue as “really complicated.”

She wants the public to be able to appreciate the peace and beauty of the buttes, but echoed landowners’ concerns about the delicate ecosystem and centuries-old Native American artifacts that remain largely untouched.

In lieu of full public access, Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes , a sister organization to Lindman’s land trust, leads private tours for small groups of people who pay about $35 apiece for a carefully supervised hike. Reservations can be hard to come by. The Middle Mountain hikes do not enter the state parkland. Instead, they traverse private land near the park under a long-standing agreement with landowners that grew out of those early tours from the 1970s.

On a recent spring day, a tour group wound up dirt roads and through locked gates in a small caravan of cars, before parking near the center of the range. Volcanic domes rose above a green meadow. Wind rustled through the grass. A flock of snow geese passed overhead, their silver wings gleaming against a blue sky.

From atop the lava domes, it was possible to see Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta. The snow-capped Sierra stood to the east. After a precarious scramble down, group members traversed the grassy base of the domes and came to the edge of the state park at Peace Valley. A guide warned the tour group they did not have permission to enter.

Ruth Coleman, who was head of the Department of Parks and Recreation when the site was designated a state park, said she hopes California will keep pushing to find a way to change that, while putting measures in place to preserve the land.

“It’s classified as a state park. And a state park has access,” Coleman said, adding: “I’ve been there. ... It’s magic.”

More to Read

Check out this under-the-radar wildflower spot while you still can

May 15, 2024

Opinion: Californians love the state’s parks. We just don’t know they’re state parks

May 13, 2024

Editorial: Biden expanded two national monuments in California. Three more to go

May 3, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Jessica Garrison writes about Northern California for the Los Angeles Times. She has previously covered Los Angeles City Hall, courts, education and the environment. As a reporter, her work has won a National Magazine Award for Public Service, among other honors. Work she has edited has won a George Polk Award and was a finalist for a Goldsmith Prize. Her book, “The Devil’s Harvest,” told the story of a contract killer who stalked Central Valley farm towns for years while authorities failed to bring him to justice. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley.

More From the Los Angeles Times

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block heads to D.C. for grilling on campus antisemitism

24 superb things to do around L.A. to kick off the summer of 2024

Why some of California’s most outdoorsy people are moving to...Las Vegas?

‘I got a job, I got class’: Why Cal State L.A. isn’t roiling with protest