The Palomar College Board of Trustees made a contentious decision on Tuesday, voting to eliminate its anti-racism policy. This policy had been implemented in 2021, following the nationwide protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The initiative aimed to promote racial equity and condemn racism in all its forms.
Context of the Decision
Despite strong public opposition, the board members expressed concerns about potential legal liabilities stemming from the policy. Board President Jacqueline Kaiser indicated that such a policy could be seen as a “red flag” and lead to future complications for the college. She stated, “We need to look at the safety of this institution,” while alluding to undisclosed discussions about the policy’s implications.
Recent National Trends
Recent months have seen several universities and corporations eliminating similar diversity and inclusion policies. Efforts have been influenced partly by the previous administration’s mandates, which threatened federal funding for institutions maintaining these policies. Kaiser cited numerous prominent organizations, including the University of Florida and Amazon, that have discarded their anti-racism statements.
- University of Florida
- University of Michigan
- Amazon
- Meta
- McDonald’s
Debate Among Board Members
Trustee Yvette Acosta described the anti-racism policy as “performative,” insisting that existing laws were sufficient to address discrimination. She argued that the current non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and Title IX policies fulfill legal requirements.
A packed audience, including students and faculty, attended the meeting. Every public speaker advocated for the retention of the anti-racism policy. Concerns were voiced that rescinding the policy would damage trust between Palomar College, its students, and the surrounding community.
Impact on the Community
Speakers emphasized that removing the policy may negate the recognition of experiences related to inequality and discrimination. They voiced fears that erasing such language would diminish the acknowledgment of these serious issues within the campus environment. One speaker pointed out a previous board decision to stop reciting a land acknowledgment during meetings, which reflected the region’s Indigenous roots.
Outcome of the Meeting
While Trustee Roberto Rodriguez proposed creating a subcommittee to revise the policy instead of eliminating it, President Kaiser maintained that removal was the only viable option. Ultimately, the board voted 4-2 to abolish the anti-racism policy but agreed to establish a subcommittee to address concerns related to equity and inclusion. However, the specifics of this new subcommittee and its objectives remain unspecified.
- Votes in favor of policy elimination: Kaiser, Acosta, Bleakley, Fridman
- Votes against policy elimination: Rodriguez, Patacsil
