The following letter will be sent to the Members of the Board of Trustees of Samuel Merritt University:

CCD: SMU’s local representatives and partners Lateefah Simon, the U.S. Representative for California's 12th congressional district; Barbara Lee, a former congresswoman and mayoral candidate; current interim Oakland mayor Kevin Jenkins; and D3 Councilmember Carroll Fife.

We are writing to share our feedback as proud graduates, students, and community members of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) regarding recent decisions made by the SMU Administration in response to federal communications.

As concerned alumni, students,  staff, faculty, and supporters of SMU, we express our profound disappointment and lack of confidence in the leadership of President Ching-Hua Wang and Chief Operating & Financial Officer Dave Lawlor. Their recent actions have starkly differed from SMU’s stated mission and values, emphasizing support for historically marginalized communities and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and medical training. The weight of our disappointment cannot be overstated.

In recent weeks, SMU leadership has:

1. All affinity groups have been defunded and essentially dismantled, including, but not limited to, the Black Student Union (BSU), the Latinx Legacy Committee, the LGBTQIA+ advocacy committee, and the Black African Diaspora group. These organizations are open to everyone and are crucial in providing support and leadership for students, staff, and faculty. This decision was made quickly and without transparency, lacking open dialogue, resources for alternative solutions, or any supporting documentation. The justification cited an Executive Order that only addressed government-funded programs, which did not include the abovementioned groups. The detrimental nature of this decision, along with the way it was made and communicated, reflects a severe lack of commitment from SMU leadership to the principles these groups represent.

2. At a meeting with all staff and faculty, the SMU’s administration provided the following guidance “Don’t say Black Maternal Health anymore.” Amid a Black maternal mortality and morbidity crisis—including Black fetal and infant loss—this approach not only weakens and dilutes the urgent work needed to address racial disparities in healthcare but also exposes a complete lack of innovative leadership. Rather than offering bold solutions or a clear vision for navigating these challenges, SMU leadership has chosen a path of avoidance that ultimately harms the communities we serve.

3. Eliminated the position of Assistant Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the only leadership role fully dedicated to ensuring that SMU fulfills its strategic commitments to inclusive excellence and supports students and faculty from all backgrounds, particularly underserved communities. Additionally,  disbanded the 8 committee groups that were in charge of actualizing the strategic plan required by SMU's accrediting bodies.

4. Circulated a Title IX policy update that failed to acknowledge protections under California state law, leaving students, faculty, and staff vulnerable to discrimination explicitly prohibited at the state level. By focusing only on federal rollbacks without emphasizing the broader protections available in California, SMU leadership has demonstrated poor judgment and a lack of due diligence in safeguarding the rights of its community. This failure to provide complete and transparent information creates unnecessary fear, undermines trust, and shows a willingness to prioritize political expediency over the safety and well-being of students and employees.

5. Failed to uphold SMU’s stated commitment to health equity, diversity, and community support, choosing to act out of fear and political pressure instead of integrity and principle.

The harmful and dangerous actions taken by President Wang since January contradict SMU’s public commitments and mission statements, displaying poor leadership and judgment. SMU's mission emphasizes commitments to "transforming the care experience in diverse communities," "advancing health equity," and "promoting diversity and inclusion." The swift abandonment of funding and other support for these initiatives is troubling. It indicates a preference for aligning with recent federal changes over addressing the deep needs of the local SMU community that we serve as clinicians and educators. Students, staff, and faculty feel scared and uncertain about their rights, safety, and the future of the inclusive environment SMU once promised. Instead of providing clarity and reassurance, the university’s leadership has responded with hasty decision-making, a lack of transparency, and cowardice. These actions raise questions about whether they truly believe in the values they claim to uphold or if they are willing to abandon them under political pressure.

This situation is particularly concerning as SMU invests in a new campus in the heart of Oakland, CA—one of the most diverse cities in the United States—and has recently opened a campus in Fresno, CA, where many of our students, faculty, staff, and patients are either undocumented or early-generation immigrants. The excuse of “just trying to protect the university from losing federal funding” showcases a failure of leadership.

This breakdown in leadership from President Ching-Hua Wang and Chief Operating & Financial Officer Dave Lawlor represents ethical and moral failures that undermine the very foundation of what SMU stands for. At a time when the healthcare industry is grappling with deep-seated inequities that lead to significant disparities in health access and outcomes, SMU should be leading by example. Suppose the university’s stance is to retreat from any politically sensitive or controversial topics by an administration that has shown little regard for human rights or constitutional principles. In that case, we risk abandoning other evidence-based commitments—such as the importance of vaccines and public health interventions—equally essential to equity. The elimination of support for programs and positions that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion sends a message to current and prospective students, faculty, staff, and partners that SMU no longer prioritizes this critical work, despite what they’ve stated on our website. Maintaining a mission that claims to value diversity, inclusion, and equity while simultaneously cutting funding and limiting efforts in these areas can only be perceived as hypocritical and disingenuous. It is one thing to adjust the language to allow SMU to continue its vital work; it is another to eliminate positions and groups dedicated to achieving the university’s Inclusive Excellence goals.

**We Demand:**

1. We demand immediate and transparent communication with SMU students, faculty, staff, and community partners when the university makes changes rolling back DEI, accompanied by proof from the university’s lawyer that those changes are legally required and necessary. Transparency is not just a request but a necessity in this situation.

2. Public announcement of actionable steps that President Wang and CFO Dave Lawlor will take to rebuild trust with the University and its students, faculty, staff, and community following these recent decisions.

3. We call for a comprehensive leadership review and accountability measures to assess whether President Wang and CFO Dave Lawlor have the capacity, integrity, and commitment to guide SMU through this critical period in both the university’s and the country’s trajectory. The need for change is urgent.

4.  An immediate recommitment to SMU’s mission and values, including restoring financial and institutional support for affinity groups that address the needs of our diverse student body, faculty, and staff. 

Regardless of whether SMU’s actions become legally required under current or future Executive Orders, Dear Colleague letters, or federal mandates, the damage is already done. Leadership has shown that, rather than acting with integrity, transparency, courage, and a steadfast commitment to SMU’s mission, they are willing to abandon core values out of fear preemptively—a failed advocate for their community shows that they do not demonstrate the capacity to guide SMU through these critical times. We will contact local media to shed light on this pressing and concerning issue related to SMU’s leadership.

We take pride in our commitment to the proclaimed values and mission statements and refuse to let these statements become mere rhetoric. We advocate for tangible, actionable commitments to equity and inclusion within the university's structure, curriculum, internal climate, and clinical practice. We call on the Board of Trustees to take decisive action now so that SMU can join us in advocating for the health and safety of our community members in light of recent threats.