Cabrillo Name Change Vote Expected Aug. 7

By Jondi Gumz

When Cabrillo College trustees meet at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Horticulture Center in Aptos, a vote is expected on the controversial proposal to change the name of the college.

This was the timetable laid out by the trustees’ name change subcommittee.

But, at the last public forum on the matter, a Zoom meeting July 19, participants begged them to reconsider.

Sharon, a student, pointed out the name change has been a 3-year process, mostly during Covid restrictions on gatherings, and speeded up at the end.

The 5 finalist names were only released June 28, when most students were off-campus.

The Aug. 7 vote is before the fall semester begins.

Sharon said she didn’t object to changing the college name, which recognizes explorer and shipbuilder Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who became a wealthy slaveholder in the New World — just the timetable.

Vivian Simon said a lot of people do not like the 5 finalist names — Aptos College, Cajastaca College, Costa Vista College, Santa Cruz Coast College, Seacliff College.

Those 5 were chosen from 350 viable names out of 1,500 survey responses by a 23-member task force chosen to represent the community.

State law gives the seven-member elected Cabrillo College board of trustees the authority to pick the name.

Earleen, another Zoom attendee, called for a vote of the people.

“This should not be a vote of seven people,” she said. “Nobody I know is in favor of this.”

College President Matthew Wetstein pointed out elections cost money.

Earleen’s response: “If you put out a request for money, you would get the money.”

Martin Garcia, Cabrillo professor who lives in Watsonville, had a different perspective of Cabrillo: “He was a murderer, a sex trafficker ... it’s very personalized for so many of us.”

He called the name change “a genuine opportunity to empower community members and inspire self-esteem of our students,” adding, “indignities continue today.”

Faculty member John Govsky pointed out faculty, students and staff presented a petition to

“I think it’s time to move through this process,” he said.

Peggy Flynn said, “The process really impressed me.”

She said there is a tendency to not pay attention until a critical time.

One of the Zoom attendees was Felix Robles, a member of the name change task force, which will meet July 28, discuss the feedback on the 5 finalists and make a recommendation to trustees.

“I’ve read every single article,” he said. “I’m not the only one.”

Wetstein said one possibility is to vote for a name change — and make it conditional on raising the funds to cover the expenses.

Previously he had said no college funds would be spent on the name change, funds would be raised privately.

For those wondering if compromise is possible, Santa Cruz resident John Fay offered this idea: The Spanish and Portuguese name Cabrillo is derived from the Portuguese word for oak trees, so repudiate Juan Cabrillo and use the name Cabrillo to refer to the oak trees in the area. The coast live oak was an important food source for the Ohlone tribe who lived in this area, and coast live oak and canyon oak are an important part of our environment today. Use the name Cabrillo College to pay homage to the indigenous people and the local ecosystem. n