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Dear Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇøÈë¿Ú campus community,

It is with great difficulty, sadness, and anger that we write you as we process the revelations of sexual assault on women and girls by widely recognized labor leader, the late César Chávez.

César Chávez is recognized as an influential labor leader in the U.S. who led national boycotts and movements to improve the lives and working conditions of farmworkers. In Northern California, Chávez is a particularly beloved figure with roots in the South Bay.

Dolores Huerta, a giant in the labor movement and the civil rights movement, has been more recently credited with much of the work of the formation of the United Farmworkers Union and labor movement, work that had been credited in years past mostly to Chávez. Dolores Huerta has been a guest in recent years at Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇøÈë¿Ú. Numerous students and employees have shared glowing memories of Dolores Huerta’s visits.

Huerta’s recent statement of being sexually assault by Chávez are difficult to hear and deeply troubling. For many sexual assault survivors, processing the recent news may be difficult and triggering in terms of mental health and well-being. For many older sexual assault survivors, Huerta’s story may be especially difficult and familiar. As always, be aware that experiences of trauma are intersecting, and your response may involve other traumas.
We urge you to take care of yourselves and each other. Please refer to the resources below if you need support, or if you notice that someone may need support.

The and many state and local agencies have issued statements that you may want to read. The CSU Chancellor’s Office has issued a statement:

"The Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇøÈë¿Ú (CSU) is deeply troubled by the recent allegations concerning Cesar Chavez. As a significant historical figure, his legacy is honored in various ways across CSU universities, including through statues, murals and building names. At the same time, the CSU is firmly committed to fostering university environments centered on respect, integrity and the safety and dignity of all members of our campus communities. We are carefully reviewing this information and considering appropriate courses of action.”

In an inventory of our campus programs and named places, we have not found any César Chávez named entities.

The work of just humane living and working conditions for farmworkers and other laborers continues and legacy of the work accomplished stands, but we stand in support of all who have been harmed.

Sincerely,

Cathy Sandeen
President

Kathleen Wong(Lau)
University Diversity Officer

Seek support when you need it.

For students: In-person and online counseling services are available during business hours and after hours.

For employees: Online counseling services are available at no charge through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

For everyone: Call 988 or text HOME to 741741 to reach The National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

• Student CARE Team Our campus CARE Team can respond to requests directly from students or from CSUEB employees as well as from parents, family, or community members regarding concerns about a student that may be at risk in terms of their physical and/or mental health safety.
• Confidential Campus Advocate This staff member has confidential status so that students and employees can work with someone to navigate interpersonal violence and services in a confidential setting. The advocate is only obligated to report immediate risk of self/others harm or child or elder abuse.
• Campus Support for Sexual and Interpersonal Violence
• Sexual Assault Resources for local Alameda County and Bay Area resources.
• Check in with peers and colleagues. Be mindful that members of our community may have direct connections to world events and crises. Even those without direct connection may experience distress. Be kind, show empathy, offer support, and direct others to resources.
• Connect with others on campus and in the community. CSUEB has many cultural events and gatherings on campus, as well as professional staff and faculty who provide expertise, programming, and support.
• Report any conduct of concern. CSUEB does not accept any form of harassment or discrimination based on a person’s background. Please report incidents or concerns using our online bias incident report form. If there is an incident of hate or one that impacts physical safety in progress please call 911 for emergency law enforcement response.
• Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination for resources for reporting discriminatory incidents and sexual assault, harassment, or stalking, prevention programming, training, and other resources.

March 19, 2026