This email was sent on behalf of President Omar Torres to all students registered for winter quarter.
Jan. 20, 2025
We Support All Students
Dear Student,
Today marks the unique distinction of both honoring civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and featuring the inauguration of a new U.S. president. The words of Dr. King have inspired countless individuals for more than half a century. Meanwhile, the words of the new president have caused fear among many in our college community – including our transgender and undocumented students – and beyond.
I want to emphasize to you: We support ALL of our students at De Anza College.
At this point, the new U.S. president's words about marginalized populations have focused chiefly on those who are undocumented. I fully support our undocumented students and our DACA students and employees, and join our Academic and Classified senates and colleagues, our sister college, the district office, our Chancellor, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office in this united stand. At last week’s board meeting, the trustees courageously reaffirmed their support for undocumented students and the privacy of student records.
Our undocumented students have rights on campus. The board resolution underscored this — your rights to:
- Privacy
- Equal educational opportunity
- A safe, secure, peaceful campus
- Secure personal information
My hope is that you have seen the official posters in our classrooms and throughout campus that support these rights, advising all in the college community of protocol should immigration agents come to campus. When walking around De Anza College during my first few days as president, it was impressive to witness such a visible demonstration of support for our students.
For extensive information on undocumented student rights and resources, including legal assistance, please see deanza.edu/students/undocumented. For peer support and additional resources, visit the HEFAS webpage at deanza.edu/hefas. Any student who feels anxious or stressed can find mental health resources at deanza.edu/mhwc.
As Dr. King stated in his commencement speech to graduates from Oberlin College in 1965, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Our genuine commitment to equity is truly palpable, unwavering, and manifested continuously in our support for undocumented students – and all students. We are invested in you, and that will never change. Please take comfort in knowing this as you continue your studies at De Anza College, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Omar Torres
President, De Anza College
torresomar@deanza.edu