Cabrillo Name: No Decision Until 2022, By Jondi Gumz

COMMUNITY NEWS Cabrillo Name: No Decision Until 2022

By Jondi Gumz

As Cabrillo College’s exploration of a name change passes the one–year mark, it’s clear a decision won’t be made until 2022.

It’s also clear that the process so far has focused on Cabrillo, a Spanish navigator who never walked on the soil here, and the little research done before his name was deemed an acceptable compromise to residents of North County and South County.

The fact that he became wealthy via slave-holdings makes him less of a role model for today’s aspiring students who might otherwise appreciate his derring-do and navigational skills.

College officials, including a subcommittee of trustees charged with making a recommendation to the full board, have been hearing from historical experts, leaders of people who were displaced by missionaries, and students past and present, to get their thoughts.

During the current sessions, with one scheduled 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 on Zoom, participants are promised confidentiality and speakers were asked to be mindful about others waiting to speak.

About 30 attended last week, listening to answers to a question about who would feel good about a name change, and who might not.

The dialogue was respectful, and most speakers indicated they were in favor of a change. It’s not clear whether people supporting the name were not participating or not speaking up.

The expenses of a name change are estimated to cost $400,000, according to Cabrillo President Matthew Wetstein. Not all the expenses would be incurred at once, but spending of resources on new plaques and road signs, stationary and athletic uniforms made some uncomfortable when there hasn’t been enough funding to meet student needs. n

For details on the name discussion process, see https://www.cabrillo.edu/governing-board/ name-exploration-subcommittee/