To the members of Craven Taskforce,
We recognize the role William Craven played in the establishment of our CSU San Marcos campus. However, we also recognize the moment of racial reckoning sweeping our nation as we meet the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and far too many others with calls for racial justice and the removal of monuments that celebrate white supremacy. Let us get in line with this movement, this moment.
The former Senator Craven is well known as a white supremacist in BIPOC and progressive communities whether moderates explicitly recognize this or not. When he said that if we look like we come from Oaxaca we should carry an ID to prove that we don’t, there was an outcry across our campus and some folks made mock “Hispanic” cards to remind us of the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear under Nazi rule and the pass books that Native Black South Africans were forced to carry. Not only has he made racist, controversial remarks but he even went as far as to actually write to every school district and city in the county and to San Diego County officials, asking them to do a head count of suspected undocumented immigrants who use public services. Additionally, he asked local hospitals and trauma centers to count the number of undocumented immigrants given medical care ( https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-02-me-1637-story.html
His advocacy for schools and healthcare facilities to “turn in” students who were the children of undocumented workers and his description of migrant and immigrant workers as a “lower rung of humanity” clearly bear the stench of nativism and white supremacy we witness in fascist, racist regimes. 
How can a university call itself a “Hispanic Serving Institution” when it celebrates such a figure with a bust in the hall of honor in a building that bears his name on a street that does so as well? Faculty had it right in 1994 when they called for removal of the bust and of the name Craven from the building and the street but then President Stacy refused to honor the will of the faculty. Now the faculty has spoken again. Let us honor our community members who are wounded by the racism of Craven’s words and positions. In the spirit of being truly “Hispanic serving,” responsive to Latinx and other BIPOC students, please remove the name and the bust. In lieu of Craven’s bust and street name, we should replace it with a name honoring someone who truly reflects CSUSM’s claims of inclusive values and makes all students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed, cared for and appreciated. In addition, we should be honoring the Luiseño/Payómkawichum peoples whose land the university resides on. 
Sincerely,