Palomar College Board Removes Anti-Racism Policy

<p>A controversial decision unfolded at Palomar College this Tuesday: the board of directors voted to scrap its anti-racism policy. This move happened despite widespread disapproval from students, faculty, and the wider community.</p>

<p>The anti-racism policy, adopted in 2021 following George Floyd's murder and the ensuing protests, was meant to solidify the college's commitment to racial equity and reject all forms of racism. However, during Tuesday's meeting, some board members voiced concerns that the policy could leave the college vulnerable to lawsuits.</p>

<p>Board President Jacqueline Kaiser stated, "Having a policy like this kind of paints a target on our back...it could lead to problems down the road." She added, hinting at behind-the-scenes discussions: "We've had conversations, private ones, and received advice we can't fully disclose right now."</p>

<p>She emphasized a need to prioritize the institution's well-being.</p>

<aside></aside>

<p>"We need to think about the safety of Palomar," she said. "We all know, we've all heard, what the potential consequences are if we don't act."</p>

<p>Neither Kaiser nor other board members elaborated on those potential consequences.</p>

<p>It's worth noting that in recent months, a number of universities and corporations have rolled back diversity and inclusion policies, often in response to pressure stemming from the Trump Administration. In some instances, this has included <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/16/trumps-dei-backlash-ripples-across-the-nations-flagship-universities-00288742" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">federal funding cuts</a> for institutions that maintain these policies.</p>

<aside></aside>

<p>Kaiser cited examples like the University of Florida, University of Michigan, and major corporations like Amazon, Meta, and McDonalds, which have all eliminated similar anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements.</p>

<p>"These are the kinds of organizations our students will be entering," Kaiser explained. "Removing this policy doesn't mean we can't address these issues in other ways. But *this* particular policy, as it's written and as part of the board's official policies, is problematic."</p>

<p>The existing policy stated that Palomar College was committed to "taking action against all forms of racism and white supremacy." It also committed the college to working towards "racial equity, eliminating structural and systemic racism, and dismantling any practices or policies that perpetuate inequity."</p>

<p>Furthermore, the policy emphasized the importance of DEI, stating that it "positively impacts student achievement, aids in retention, reduces implicit bias, and positively affects a multicultural pedagogy."</p>

<p>Board Trustee Yvette Acosta argued that the policy was ultimately just for show. "The college already has robust, enforceable non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and Title IX policies," Acosta said. "These are state and federal laws against discrimination and racism. This policy is, frankly, performative."</p>

<p>The meeting was packed with concerned community members, faculty, and students. Every single person who spoke during the public comment period urged the board to keep the policy, arguing that its removal would send a harmful message to the college and the wider community.</p>

<p>"Removing this policy would break down the trust we've built between Palomar College, our students, and our community," a student stated. "It would signal a retreat from our shared commitment to addressing the inequities that continue to affect access, retention, and representation."</p>

<p>A Palomar professor added, "If a student or faculty member experiences inequality, racism, or discrimination on this campus, how can they even describe it if we've erased the very language to do so? We're essentially saying their experiences don't matter. We already got rid of the land acknowledgment, and now we're being asked to delete the language of equity and anti-racism."</p>

<p>This professor was referencing a previous decision made in July, when the board voted to <a href="https://inewsource.org/2025/06/18/palomar-community-college-board-refrains-from-land-acknowledgment-recitation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">stop reciting</a> a land acknowledgment at board meetings, which recognized the region's Indigenous history.</p>

<p>Board Trustee Roberto Rodriguez proposed creating a subcommittee to revise the policy, rather than eliminating it outright. He pointed out that "elimination wasn't the only option presented" during the discussions the other board members were referring to.</p>

<p>However, Kaiser insisted that the policy had to go. "I don't think it's wise to rehash this, to open it up again and go down the same paths, have more meetings and discussions," Kaiser said. "Ultimately, none of that changes our final mandate."</p>

<p>She didn't explain what that "mandate" was.</p>

<p>In the end, the board voted 4-2 to eliminate the policy, with a promise to create a subcommittee to "address the concerns." However, they provided no details on what "addressing the concerns" would entail or when the subcommittee would be formed.</p>

<p>Trustees Kaiser, Acosta, Holly Hamilton Bleakley, and Student Trustee Ariel Fridman voted in favor, while Rodriguez and Judy Patacsil voted against the decision.</p>
<aside></aside>