MONMOUTH, Ore. — In light of recent, deeply troubling reports regarding Cesar Chavez, Western Oregon University will remove his name from its annual student leadership conference to protect the integrity of the event’s mission to create a space where students can envision their future, and provide them with tools to empower them as leaders for social justice and civic responsibility.
The conference has provided a space for students to engage in community and learn from various presenters and educators with the intent to uplift high school students as they vision for the next step in their journeys.
“Our priority is the safety, dignity and trust of the students and communities we serve,” said Dominique Vargas, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “The leadership conference exists to empower Oregon students and cultivate leaders. Given the seriousness of the allegations, continuing to use Cesar Chavez’s name would undermine that mission and the mission of our university. Removing the name and rebranding the conference ensures the event remains focused on student voices, building community, and leadership development.”
For this year’s conference, the theme Estamos Aquí (We Are Here): Asserting Our Presence and Protecting Our Stories will remain the central focus of the event. The University will thoughtfully engage community members in decision making around the leadership conference, and will share details about the conference name and rebrand in the coming weeks.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.