Cabrillo College Board of Trustees Votes 7-1 to rename Cabrillo College
During the November 14th Board of Trustees meeting, Cabrillo College Board of Trustee members voted to accept the recommendation of the Name Exploration Subcommittee to change the name of Cabrillo College. The committee’s report was thoughtful and thorough. Their recommendation was the result of careful consideration of factors including surveys, research, community responses to educational events, and the moral imperative of equitable, inclusive education.
At the Board meeting, public comments from students, faculty and community members included accolades for the College’s founding values and ongoing achievements but more importantly, moving testimony about the continuing harm and trauma of colonization represented by the name and actions of Juan Rodriques Cabrillo. Though some speakers expressed concern at the expense of renaming and the perceived loss of identification with excellence, the urgency of acknowledging the historical harm while moving toward greater inclusion and healing was expressed eloquently by many, and especially by indigenous students.
Statements from faculty and other community members made clear that the reputation of the College was not dependent on the Cabrillo name and that our educational values are better represented by changing the name. Statements from Board members who visibly struggled with relinquishing their attachment to the Cabrillo name were also moving. The final vote was 7 to 1 in favor of renaming (with Trustee Spencer dissenting).
The Board’s goal is to adopt a new name at its August 2023 meeting, to identify external funding for the expenses associated with the name change, and to start using the new name in fiscal year 2024-25.
The Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers (CCFT) and the Faculty Senate supported renaming with a joint resolution approved by both bodies. This was in response to the initial call for renaming by CCFT Vice-President John Govsky and subsequent discussions within the campus community.
Many, heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the education campaign and advocacy for this momentous decision.