Interview with Vice President Dr. Williams Watkins of California State-Univeristy
With Bridget, Greg, Mercedes
B: What are your thoughts on the protest happening today?
Dr. W: I’m pleased that students are coming out today to be supportive of each other and to unify their voice relative the concerns. But more importantly their intentionality to be here and be vital part of their education and to know that it’s their right to that. And hopefully by my presence here that students we as an univeristy administration are here to support them and every student that has been admitted to Cal State Northridge is apart of our family here. And we will do everything that we can do to support their educational journey.
B: What is the administration doing to protect the students here?
Dr. W: Did you see the President’s email letter today?
B: I have not.
Dr. W: Why don’t you read that, the President actually issued a communication to try to qual some of the concerns that we have heard from students that have been singled out and feel victimized and we’ll try to be concrete with students in terms of how we should report things. But also that we don’t want others to be bystanders and fail to assist of those who might be in a form of an attack and be singled out.
G: Is the university planning on resisting any federal government wants to treat students?
Dr. W.: So we don’t know what the government will be doing, we don’t want to run into a land of speculation about that. Our hope that the students will be able to be with us thoughout the entire educational journey. Their voices will be those in support of accomplishing that set of objectives. The students that are attaining doc status we are in support of that. And it will continue to be the case. But there’s a lot to be done. We will always be supportive of the students and of our student body.
M: And one of the students made a comment that the only thing that the President did was send out a letter. Some of the students felt that it didn’t set well with the lead. Is there other actions that will be done?
Dr. W: I kinda don’t want to take that bate. The number of people that are here were expressing thanks that we are here and for that the President sent out that communication. The letter was actually sent out and prepared by request of those who work with students and to be assured. The folks that I’ve talked to beyond that comment were thankful. The university administration won’t be retreating from any opportunity to continue to be supportive of the students. If that letter needs to be followed up with another kind of action we can take, we’re certainly not going to restrain from that opportunity.
