Update on SJSU's actions on systemic racism

June 26, 2020

Last week, I wrote to you about our immediate and longer-term efforts to address systemic racism at San José State. Among several specific actions we are taking, I indicated that we would create spaces and mechanisms whereby our campus community members can process the often complex issues of racism, listen to one another and seek understanding of the pain that others may be experiencing. I write today to offer an update on the activities that took place this past week.

Juneteenth Commemoration and SJSU’s Actions on Systemic Racism

June 18, 2020

Tomorrow is Juneteenth, a day that for more than 150 years has commemorated the end of slavery in this country. I encourage SJSU managers and supervisors to accommodate employees who wish to take part in community, faith-based or private family gatherings that honor Juneteenth. In addition, I call on every member of this community to help us become the fully inclusive, anti-racist, multi-cultural organization to which it aspires; this means acting decisively and intentionally on a number of different fronts.

Supreme Court Ruling on DACA; SJSU Town Hall on June 24

June 18, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling today, June 18, preserving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, ensures that current DACA recipients at SJSU and across the country can continue to pursue their higher education dreams and goals. This ruling will provide some relief to many in our community who have awaited the decision with tremendous anxiety and fear. Today’s decision is very good news, but we must remain vigilant over the long term.

Call for Community in Light of Recent Racist Attacks on African-Americans

May 29, 2020

These past few months have been very difficult for all of us. But with recent national news reports centering on the violent killing of George Floyd by a police officer on Memorial Day and the dangerous racial profiling of Christian Cooper in Central Park, the last several days have been particularly painful for many members of the SJSU community.

Reflections on our current crisis and SJSU's remarkable resilience

March 18, 2020

“Not in my lifetime.” I keep saying those words over and over, as this moment truly is unprecedented. Just months or even weeks ago, many people had never heard the words “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19.” Things certainly can change quickly; the current public health crisis has now made those phrases household words and part of our national—or worldwide—lexicon.

SJSU Response to County Shelter in Place Order

March 16, 2020

Today, six Bay Area counties, including Santa Clara County, announced a region-wide order to shelter-in-place, through April 7, 2020. The shelter in place mandate calls for county residents to stay inside their homes and away from others in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to only leave for essential reasons. By order of the county, educational institutions, like SJSU, are partially exempt from this order. Please read my announcement for further guidane and information.