November 13, 2020 - Presidential Task Force Membership Complete

To: Campus Community
From: President Gayle Hutchinson

I write to update you on the progress made with the Presidential Task Force to examine University Police policies and practices. Chico State is conducting an in-depth examination of our policing policies and practices in the wake of national social unrest regarding law enforcement. This examination is an opportunity to think creatively about ways that the University Police Department (UPD) can strengthen relationships and interactions with the campus community while striving to keep campus safe and secure. The process is not about defunding the University police. Rather, it is a chance to reimagine the work of UPD with a commitment to embrace anti-racism.

I have appointed members of the broader Task Force, who will work with the Steering Committee and nationally known facilitator, Reverend Dr. Jaime Washington. Dr. Washington is president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, and president and co-founder of the Social Justice Training Institute. He will serve as the primary facilitator for both the Steering Committee and the larger Task Force as they engage in this important work. 

The Task Force members are:

• Juanwon Anderson-Verdell, Cross Cultural Leadership Center (CCLC) representative
• Paul Bailey, Chican@/Latin@ Council Chair and Faculty in Mathematics and Statistics
• Kaylee Biedermann, Associated Students Vice President of Facilities and Services
• Jahi Corbin, Student Athletic Advisory Committee representative
• Bryce Davison, UPD Sergeant
• Herman Ellis, community member and former Chico State Student Affairs Administrator
• Pastor Loretta Dickerson, Bethel AME, Chico
• Dawn Frank, Black Faculty and Staff Association Chair and Director of Student Learning Center
• Claudia Sofia Garriga-Lopez, Faculty in Multicultural and Gender Studies
• Annabel Grimm, Director in the Division of Business and Finance
• Gloria Godinez, Assistant Director of Labor Relations and Compliance, Title IX, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
• Shelley Keener, UPD Staff
• Terence Lau, Dean, College of Business
• Rachel McBride, Director, Tribal Relations Office and Native American Staff and Faculty Association
• Alix MacDonald, Advocate, WellCat Safe Place
• Malcolm McLemore, Interim Associate Director, STAR Center
• Juanita Mottley, Director, Wellcat Health Center
• Tawnie Peterson, Chair, Staff Council
• Kate Post, Manager of Strategic Communications and Annual Giving
• Tray Robinson, Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Nandi Sojourner Crosby, Faculty in Sociology and Multicultural and Gender Studies
• Chunyan Song, International Staff and Faculty Association Chair and Faculty in Sociology
• Katy Thoma, President and CEO, Chico Chamber of Commerce

With guidance from the Steering Committee, the primary responsibilities of the Task Force are to examine existing policing and public safety policies and practices, and think creatively about the ways that the UPD can be fully integrated into the campus community. The Task Force also will analyze policing and public safety policies and practices for alignment with the University mission and strategic priorities.

Together with the Steering Committee, the Task Force will compile relevant information for review and determine a list of recommendations that will be included in a written report and submitted to me in April 2021. The report will be shared with the UPD and campus community, and recommended actions will be seriously considered. I will continue to update you as this important work progresses.