To: The Institutional Planning Council

From: Joey Castor, SRJC student

Date: 3-12-01

Subject: Equity in the hiring of instructors

I am a white male student of two years at SRJC. In my two-plus years of fulltime enrollment at this institution, all but three of my instructors have been white. Two of these three non-white instructors were ones in which I had to seek out, having heard of their good reputation as instructors addressing the issues of racism and equality .Being interested in ethnic studies, I find this to be somewhat of a surprise. This institution has a very high ranking within the Junior College system, thus being a major factor in mine, and many others decision to attend this school. The SRJC catalog of courses has courses relating to ethnic studies, but they are not offered in the schedule. The hiring of instructors of color to teach these classes is greatly needed. The lack of an Ethnic Studies Department, and a low number of teachers of color at this institution, does not seem to be a very good representation of a school with such a reputation. I strongly encourage the Institutional Planning Council to fulfill the duty of bringing equity to the recruitment, screening, hiring, selection of candidates, and retention of the instructors of this fine institution. The state of California is one of, if not the most diverse states in this country. The top educational institutions of this state need to represent the people of the state; including people of all colors, gender, and class. The richness of ethnicity in our community needs to be encouraged in this institution. Having more teachers of color at SRJC sends a message to the community, and the rest of the nation, that this institution is not one to look the other way at the issues of racism and equality, but one that speaks to these issues with the integrity that they deserve. The decisions made by the Institutional Planning Council are not just decisions, but history in the making. I feel that the introduction of an Ethnic Studies major and department at SRJC, with more teachers of color, is necessary in a state whose population is almost half, if not more, people of color. I would like to see my children attend a school with a multicultural faculty, one that encourages diversity and celebrates the richness of ethnicity .

Thank you,