Save Seawolves Athletics, a group that's protesting the elimination of athletics at Sonoma State University, has filed a formal civil rights complaint over the decision.

A grassroots organization seeking to save Sonoma State University’s athletics department says it has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, calling for an investigation into the university’s decision to cut the entire department.

Facing a $23.9 million deficit, Sonoma State University will enact large budget cuts, including laying off faculty and eliminating its intercollegiate athletics program.

Sonoma State University is eliminating its entire Division II athletics program as part of a massive round of layoffs and program cuts ahead of a larger-than-expected budget deficit. Interim campus President Emily Cutrer announced the news on Wednesday morning on the school’s website,

Sonoma State University announced Wednesday that its intercollegiate athletics programs are being discontinued in addition to other severe cuts to address a budget deficit of nearly $24 million. In addition,

President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether they are aligned with his policy goals. It was not immediately clear how much assistance would initially be affected by the Monday order as funding for many programs has already been appropriated by Congress and is obligated to be spent,