May 19, 2023 – Office of Tribal Relations to Relocate Across Campus

Dear Campus Community,

I’m thrilled to share that work is underway to relocate the Office of Tribal Relations to the heart of campus by the end of June. As called for in the University’s Master Plan, the Office of Tribal Relations will open in the current Center for Continuing Education (CCE) Building behind Colusa Hall. Professional & Continuing Education will relocate from the CCE Building to the west side of Colusa Hall.

This transformation of the CCE Building is a strategic vision set in motion by our Master Plan more than three years ago to eventually develop the Office of Tribal Relations into a formalized center. Bringing it to fruition will provide better education and support for Native students, their families, and communities while creating more opportunities to connect with Tribal partners to advance our government-to-government relationships throughout the state and region.

As Director of Tribal Relations Rachel McBride-Praetorius said, “This move underscores the University's commitment to honoring and supporting our Native students, Tribal partners, and Tribal communities, as well as increasing their visibility on our campus. I am thrilled about the opportunities this new facility will create and how it will serve our objective of providing access and support to Native American students. In addition, through traditional knowledge and decolonial praxis, this relocation will contribute to the formation of culturally sustaining, contributing members of our Native American communities ...”

The relocated Office of Tribal Relations will be ideally situated near Big Chico Creek, open space, and the campus core. It truly honors our acknowledgement that the University stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and our recognition of their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus.

Recognizing and embracing the Mechoopda Tribe’s history and continuing presence is of paramount importance, and the relocation of the Office of Tribal Relations will embody this and serve as a venue to conduct government-to-government meetings, as well as community and University outreach meetings with all our local, regional, and statewide Tribal partners. Equally important, this center will serve our Native American student body as a student center, workspace, and gathering place, while providing a base for student recruitment, retention, and outreach.

The CCE Building was originally constructed as the third heating facility for our campus. As one of the key historic buildings within the campus core, the Master Plan calls for the preservation of its exterior, but a change in use to support students.

In addition, the relocation of Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) to Colusa Hall allows PCE to continue to thrive with its array of exceptional programs that expand our educational offerings to help learners of all ages and stages grow professionally, explore personal interests, or prepare for a career change.

Interim Dean Clare Van Ness shared, “PCE is pleased that the goal of establishing the Tribal Relations space at such a special location on campus is moving forward under the leadership of President Hutchinson. We are grateful for the decades that we’ve occupied the Center for Continuing Education and look forward to continuing our work in a new home in Colusa Hall, where we can support the University’s commitment to lifelong learning, enrollment and retention, and student success goals.”

Thank you to Tom Ussery and Facilities Management and Services team who make this move possible, and to the Tribal Relations and Professional & Continuing Education teams for their enthusiasm for this progress.

Sincerely,

President Gayle E. Hutchinson