Dear Academic Senate, Chancellor Timothy White, and Board of Trustees:

As active members of our academic community, we are deeply concerned about the physical and emotional safety of our most marginalized students, in light of the result of the Presidential election of November 8, 2016. Consistent with Chancellor Timothy White’s recent message on “our responsibility to hold our political leaders to account” by being "leading advocates in advancing the rights of our students, faculty and staff", we request an urgent response to the following:

As educators, we believe that our first priority is to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students and workers. We are jointly responsible for creating a higher education campus that is free of intimidation, harassment, and any threats to the lives, the integrity and the future of each member of our community, regardless of immigration status, refugee status, race, gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, ability status, or religious and cultural background. This election has brought extremist groups into the forefront and put many of our most marginalized students, staff, faculty and their families at an unprecedented risk.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Mr. Trump has promised a nation-wide effort to arrest and deport millions of undocumented people, including our Dreamers, young students and workers who trusted the federal government and are currently attempting to regularize their immigration status. For these individuals, the United States of America is the only Nation they know and belong to. Similarly, Mr. Trump launched a divisive campaign targeting women, Muslim and Latino communities across the country, risking the lives, safety, and livelihood of millions of diverse families.

As we read reports of an increase in acts of vandalism and attacks against communities of color and religious minorities across the land, we believe that the words of President-elect Trump and his advisors are not empty threats, and they have a high probability of becoming government policy.

It is in this perilous juncture that we want to request that our campus at California State University, Fullerton, and all its facilities be declared a Sanctuary for all our students and workers who believe that their safety and futures are under threat of arrest, harassment, intimidation or deportation. In keeping with similar efforts taking place at many campuses across the nation (see attachment), a Campus Declaration of Sanctuary at our university will clearly state that:

a) No faculty member, administrator, staff member, student staff member, or University Police officer will collaborate or participate in any investigation, detention, intimidation, arrest or deportation procedures on campus on the basis of immigration status, political, cultural or religious affiliation, ethnic or national origin, race, ability status, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

b) The campus facilities of California State University, Fullerton, will become a Sanctuary, where students and workers who fear detention, intimidation, arrest or deportation can seek physical shelter, as well as support services as necessary.

c) Training will be provided to all campus community members on how to effectively provide support, as well as to interrupt and deescalate acts of intolerance and intimidation targeting individuals and communities.

d) Adequate resources will be provided to the Titan Dreamers Resource Center; Disability Support Services; WoMen’s Center; Title IX office; and to develop other related services necessary to ensure effective education and response to the campus community.

We believe that we must be proactive and stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our community of higher learning. By taking a stand for their protection, we will reassure a community under duress that their rights and safety will be respected, while sending a clear message that our campus is strong and principled and will leave no one behind. If we truly are a COMMUNITY, this is the time to prove it.

In solidarity,

CSUF Researchers and Critical Educators (R.A.C.E.) and allied Faculty and Staff

attachement: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=13ExyK2QGZe59FM-TT46Vw9GrOAk&ll=34.068921%2C-118.44518110000001&z=8