Dear Campus Community,
As you have likely seen, recent reports detailed serious and troubling allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez. You may have also seen Dolores Huerta’s statement as a survivor and the state of California’s move to rename Cesar Chavez day as Farmworkers Day. We want to acknowledge the effect that this news may have on members of our community, particularly survivors of sexual violence and harassment. For many, this moment may bring up anger, grief, confusion, or retraumatization. Please know that you are not alone, and that your experiences matter.
Berkeley remains firmly committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in dignity, safety, and care. We support survivors, and we recognize the courage it takes to come forward and to hold individuals and institutions accountable.
In light of these developments, the campus will be initiating a formal review of the Cesar Chavez Student Center name, consistent with Berkeley’s established naming review policies and processes. We want to be clear that the process of un-naming a building and the process of naming a building are distinct. Each follows its own review pathway, including opportunities for campus input, committee evaluation, and final approval.
We have already received proposals related to this building name and will soon begin the review process. At the same time, we welcome letters, statements, and additional perspectives from our campus community to help inform this process. Please send your views to spaceplanning@berkeley.edu
As we move forward, we will remain guided by our values, our seven Principles of Community, and our responsibility to ensure that the names and symbols on our campus reflect our commitment to equity, respect, and accountability.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any form of sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH), support is available. Here is a list of resources, drawn from the Supportal website, to help get you started:
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For confidential support, please contact the PATH to Care Center. For inquiries and scheduling, you can contact the office at (510) 642-1988.
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Foradditional resources, please visit the Notice of Rights and Options (NORO) for survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment; and the campus SVSH Hub website
If you need mental health support while processing the recent news, the Supportal website has a list of resources for campus community mental health
Thank you for your care for one another and for the integrity you bring to this community.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Lyons
Chancellor
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost