March 20, 2026 - Standing Against Sexual Violence and Supporting Our Community

Dear Campus Community,

With the March 31 state holiday approaching, I want to acknowledge that recent news regarding allegations of rape and abuse by César Chávez affects how members of our community feel about this day. Many are also experiencing a sense of betrayal as they reconcile the image of a civil rights leader with allegations that undermine that legacy. You are not alone. I share the anger, hurt, and disgust many are experiencing, and I want to state unequivocally: Acts of sexual violence and abuse are reprehensible. We condemn them fully, and we reject the pressures and power imbalances that too often prevent survivors from being heard and supported.

To all survivors, please know that we see you, we believe you, and we are committed to supporting you. Sexual misconduct and violence have no place on our campus or in our society. We remain steadfast in our responsibility to foster a University environment grounded in empathy, respect, and integrity.

With Sexual Assault Awareness Month fast approaching, there will be several events in April to build awareness and support — please check CatsConnect for details. Additionally, WellCat Safe Place provides confidential support services for students, faculty, and staff impacted by sexual assault, dating or intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation. Students may also contact the WellCat Counseling Center or its 24/7 crisis support number (1-855-530-6802) for support. Life Matters is available to employees 24/7 for counseling and other services at 1-800-367-7474 or www.mylifematters.com. Password: csuchico.

While the long-term future of the holiday is still to be determined, those decisions are made at the state level, so the University will remain closed on Tuesday, March 31, as scheduled. At the same time, we are considering additional actions, conversations, and resources to ensure our campus responds to this moment with integrity and intention. We also want to be clear that addressing harm does not mean erasing history but engaging it with care, context, and accountability in ways that support those most impacted.

To that end, the annual ’Cats in the Community service event scheduled for March 31 will be adjusted this year. We are making this change to support our community and to ensure our service efforts are not tied to this day. Instead, Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE) is hosting numerous volunteer opportunities throughout April that still provide a way to come together in meaningful service, and I encourage you to sign up and get involved and be a ’Cat in the Community. Collective service is a longstanding part of Chico State’s values and an important tradition for our Wildcats and the communities we serve — we remain deeply committed to this legacy.

As we continue these conversations, I believe it is important to recognize that movements for justice are never the work of a single individual. The legacy of the farmworker movement reflects the courage and labor of many — organizers, workers, families, and communities — whose pursuit of dignity and human rights continues to inspire. As a university community, our focus must remain on those enduring values and on building and reinforcing a community that reflects them. We will continue to listen, to learn, and to act in ways that center survivors, uphold our values, and strengthen our community.

Thank you,

President Steve Perez