Activism
Community Steps Forward to Protect Holy Names University
The university has served the Oakland community for over 150 years. The student population is 37% Latino or Hispanic, 18% African American, 13% Asian and 21% white. One website summarized the university’s diversity, “The school has very high racial diversity – 79% of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC).
“It is vital to our community that Holy Names continue to be an independent university”
By Ken Epstein
The Faculty Senate of Holy Names University in Oakland voted unanimously this week to work collaboratively with community, civic and business leaders in the wake of simmering budget difficulties.
Already many community leaders and local politicians have come forward to volunteer to work with Holy Names to stabilize and protect the university’s long-term work as a major educational institution in Oakland for undergraduate students and training of teachers, nurses and administrators. And community leaders have proposed a number of solutions to the financial problems.
The university has served the Oakland community for over 150 years. The student population is 37% Latino or Hispanic, 18% African American, 13% Asian and 21% white. One website summarized the university’s diversity, “The school has very high racial diversity – 79% of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC).
Post Publisher Paul Cobb, who has been involved in several cooperative projects with the college said, “I’m concerned that Holy Names should not enter into a partnership like the one between Northeastern University and Mills, which destroyed existing Mills College programs and culture.”
In comments to the Post, a faculty member said the school has had decades of significant accomplishments but now needs new top leadership, because the current leadership has not done fund development or worked well with diverse communities.
Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Rebecca Kaplan are drafting a City Council resolution encouraging support and cooperation with Holy Names University.
Post Publisher Paul Cobb, who received an honorary doctorate degree from HNU has also been involved with several cooperative projects to raise funds for HNU said, “I’m concerned that Holy Names should not enter into a partnership like the one between Northeastern University and Mills, which destroyed existing Mills College programs and culture. The City of Oakland and Alameda County can’t afford to lose a vital part of our health and education infrastructure because closing HNU negatively impacts nursing, health workers and teacher graduation rates. The Mayor and city administrators were asleep at the wheel while chasing down and offering money to sports teams while Mills and HNU are being lost, due to our neglect,. We need the county supervisors, Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember to join with the city council and community and save these Universities.”
In an open letter in support of Holy Names, community and local political leaders pledged to support efforts to protect the school:
“We are concerned with the future of Holy Names University,” the letter said. “This 154-year-old local Oakland institution is one of the most diverse four-year colleges in the country and it has educated thousands of Oakland young people.
“Its program for educating teachers is the best in the area; its nursing program is legendary; its sports program is robust; and its graduates include city council members, education leaders, entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders.
“It is vital to our community that Holy Names continue to be an independent university, responsive to the needs of Oakland and surrounding communities, serving both graduates and undergraduates and expanding its service to more students.
“Toward that end we seek the participation of the government bodies, community-based organizations and individuals that represent Oakland, along with the students, faculty and administration of Holy Names.”
The open letter was signed by:
- Rebecca Kaplan, Vice Mayor of the City of Oakland, At-large member of the City Council
- Carroll Fife, Oakland City Council, District 3, and Holy Names 2022 Alumnus of the Year
- Janani Ramachandran, Oakland City Council Member-Elect, District 4
- Gay Plair Cobb, Alameda County Board of Education (ret)
- Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post; Holy Names University Honorary Doctorate
- Kitty Kelly Epstein, Ph.D., professor, Host of Education Today, KPFA 94.1 FM
- Victor Littles, EdD, Merritt College program leader, and HNU Adjunct Faculty
- Walter Riley, John George Democratic Club
- Sheryl Walton, MPH, Community Organizer, Activist
