Content Warning: The following statement contains language addressing sexual assault and harassment.

Greetings,

My name is Isaac Alferos and I have the unique honor and privilege of serving as the President of the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) that represents nearly half a million California State University (CSU) students.

I’m sure by now many of you have seen the article published by USA Today regarding how then-President Castro handled a situation regarding an administrator under investigation for sexual assault at Fresno State. Though I choose not to add my name to the chorus of voices sharing commentaries on Chancellor Castro’s actions, I’ll point any students interested in understanding what happened to both the USA Today article and the statements issued by both Chancellor Castro and Chair Kimbell. I will add that I support an independent investigation and any efforts to better understand what happened. More important to me, though, than the attention of the article or the merits of justification is the health and wellbeing of the many survivors in the CSU community.

As someone who is intimately aware of the psychological damages sexual assuault incites in survivors, I am first and foremost concerned with how such broad media attention to this incident impacts our community. As President of CSSA, I stand firmly in our organizational commitment to bettering the support and accountability structures put in place in our system regarding this type of violence. It is our personal commitment to create a system in which survivors are afforded healing and justice. In this moment, where trauma and violence are on full display across our system, and where many may once again find themselves burdened by the emotional toll this violence takes on our psyche, I implore our systemwide community to hold space for those of us who need it.

For the many who call the CSU home that are impacted by these revelations, know that in this moment you may be called to many things. Some will call you to action, in efforts to seek justice not just for yourself but for the countless others impacted by this violence. Others may call you to process, once again, your trauma to pour out for others in an effort to build solidarity. And, unfortunately, some may call you to ignore yourself all together and return to normal operations unencumbered by your trauma.

So, to those of us who have been impacted by this, please allow me to place something of a higher priority than all other demands. Should no one else make this ask of you, let me leave you with the affirmation that, first and foremost, you are called to heal. Please take the necessary time to inhabit healing and restorative space amongst friends, family, and community to be fully present with yourself and heal in whatever way that manifests itself. In a world that constantly demands productivity and performance from you, it is critical not only that you take the necessary steps to center your own health and well being, but that we also provide the institutional support structures needed for you to do so.

Know that, as you do that, we at CSSA will continually advocate to build a system healthier than what we have, one that transforms our status quo into one that centers transformative justice for all those who survive such violence. Should you need it, we will leave connections to resources available to you by our institutions.

In this, it is my distinct honor and privilege to serve this community, and I shall continue to seek justice for all who need it.

Sincerely,

Isaac Alferos
President
Cal State Student Association

Resources:
https://www.calstate.edu/titleix
https://www.calstate.edu/attend/student-services/Pages/mental-health-services.aspx

MORE NEWS & UPDATES