President's Message

August 3, 2020

Dear Beach Community,

Throughout these challenging months, I have been intentionally communicating CSULB’s unwavering and steadfast commitment to diversity and equity for every member of our Community: students, staff, faculty, alumni and community partners. I have been thinking a great deal about the work of the Inclusive Excellence Commission while holding numerous listening sessions with campus and community leaders, faculty, staff and students and consulting with leadership.

I am pleased to announce that I have charged the Commission to take on an action-oriented role in racial and social justice and equity at CSULB. The re-envisioned Commission will play a critical role in bringing about institutional change including diversifying our employees and student body, enhancing support and opportunity for all, and helping to ensure we have quality cultural competence and anti-racist professional development for all. In addition, the Commission will play a collaborative role with the Campus Climate Committee of the Academic Senate in analyzing the results of the campus climate surveys and engaging diverse constituent groups in formulating and implementing actionable plans and strategies to bring about institutional change.

To guide the work of the Commission, I have appointed Dr. Anna Ortiz and Dr. John Hamilton as co-chairs. During our first meeting, they suggested a name change for the Commission to better communicate its new action-oriented charge. I am happy to approve renaming the Commission to the President’s Commission on Equity and Change.

It is a time for bold action and we look forward to broad representation on the Commission to guide us moving forward.

May you be well and safe.

Sincerely,

Jane Close Conoley, Ph.D.

President