HANCOCK HOSTS BLACK LIVES MATTER STUDENT TOWN HALL MEETING

JUNE 19, 2020-- 

Allan Hancock College students, staff, faculty, and alumni gathered virtually to discuss how the college could continue to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment during Black Lives Matter: A Student Call to Action town hall meeting on June 19.

More than 200 individuals, many of them current and former Hancock students, participated in the meeting via Zoom to share their personal experiences and have an open discussion about how the college could continue to work toward addressing structural bias and racism.

“You heard it loud and clear today,” said Associate Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services Nohemy Ornelas, Ed.D. “Hancock cares. Black lives matter and our college is doing something about it.” 

During the 1.5-hour meeting, participants heard from several speakers, including college administrators, staff, faculty, student government representatives, college trustees and recent Hancock graduates. The speakers were followed by an open comment period where students were encouraged to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas. 

“Hancock represents one of the biggest minority areas in Santa Barbara County and we are paving the way to make this a more inclusive community,” said Michael Mensah, a 2020 graduate and former Hancock Men’s Basketball Team player.  

Suggestions from the town hall’s participating students included providing additional training and education about bias and racism, offering more diverse curriculum and faculty on-campus, fostering safe and supportive spaces through student clubs and organizations, and encouraging open dialogs that allow for understanding and growth.

“This can't start just on campus. This starts in our households,” said Grant Johnson, a recent Hancock graduate and Men’s Basketball Team player. “Racism and hate is something that is taught. We have to teach kids and hold our family members accountable. That gives us a start to make the changes and be on the same page when we come to campus.”

“We need to continue to learn and grow as a society and continue to grow out of this ignorance,” said Leondra Burns, a current communications major at Hancock. “It’s a journey and it’s something that we all have to become more aware of and enlightened about.”

“What we are hearing today are the voices of our students. Now it is important to move forward and make sure that we take what we have heard here today and use it to make the changes necessary to meet the needs of our students,” said Hancock Assistant Softball Coach CJ Johnson. “We need to make sure we follow through and give students a place where they feel accepted. We’ve got to talk the talk and walk the walk.” 

Hancock is currently taking steps to ensure student voices are heard. In his comments to students at the town hall, Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D., announced that the college was in the process of conducting a college-wide review of its services, processes, and curriculum to ensure all students have access to an equitable and inclusive education regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

“We’ve been having great success and moving the needle and serving our underserved students, but we also recognize that we have still not done enough,” said Walthers. “We are going to systematically looking at everything we do here at Hancock and remove any type of bias. We have already started that work and students will see real results from the process this fall.” 

The process will also include a comprehensive review of the college’s police department. 

“We are going to look at their processes and how they interact with students, as well as how our students view our officers,” said Walthers. “We want our students to see them as a public safety resource.” 

Hancock Librarian and Academic Senate President Trevor Passage said the college faculty, working through the academic senate, are also working to bring more diversity to the college’s curriculum and faculty hiring processes.

“There is buy-in across campus,” said Passage. “It means a lot when you can sit in a class and feel like you are represented, not just in the curriculum but in the faculty teaching the class as well.”

Members of the Board of Trustees stood in solidarity with the college’s path moving forward, reaffirmed that they stand united with the students, and will act as a partner in this movement. “We have to do what is right,” said Board of Trustee Vice President Jeffery Hall.

Hancock students and employees can continue to provide their thoughts, comments, and suggestions on social media using the hashtag #BLMAHC.

 For more information on current student support services and resources, visit www.hancockcollege.edu.