Sonoma State University has begun removing and covering campus representation of Cesar Chavez following recent allegations, as the California State University system considers a broader response.
In a March 18 campus-wide message, President Michael Spagna announced that several on-campus depictions of Chavez will be taken down or covered, including a mural in the library and portraits displayed in Stevenson Hall.
“The library mural will be covered, and the portrait and photo will be removed for the foreseeable future,” Spagna wrote in the message to students, faculty, and staff. A campus website dedicated to Chavez will also be removed.
The decision comes after what he described as “deeply troubling” allegations, which he said warrant serious consideration and reflect a broader commitment to supporting survivors of sexual violence and misconduct.
Chavez, a prominent labor leader and civil rights figure, has long been recognized across California State University campuses through events, programs, and public art tied to his role in the farmworker movement.
In a statement to the Sonoma State Star, the CSU Chancellor’s Office said it is currently reviewing the situation at a systemwide level.
“The California State University (CSU) is deeply troubled by the recent allegations concerning Cesar Chavez,” said Amy Bentley-Smith, director of media relations and public affairs. “Together with our universities, we are carefully reviewing and considering appropriate courses of action.”
Bentley-Smith added that Chavez represents more than an individual figure.
“Recognizing that Chavez represented not just an individual but a larger movement to support farmworkers, the CSU will continue to emphasize the importance of community-based action and service,” she said.
According to the Chancellor’s Office, authority over naming and recognition is largely delegated to individual campuses for certain spaces and programs. However, more prominent facilities – such as buildings and major academic or athletic programs – require approval from the CSU Board of Trustees.
This structure allows campuses like Sonoma State to take more immediate action, while broader or permanent changes could involve system-level decisions.
In the message, Spagna also highlighted support resources for students, staff, and faculty affected by issues related to sexual violence and misconduct, including Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.
In a follow-up campus-wide message on March 26, President Spagna reflected on the significance of Farmworkers Day, which California lawmakers are renaming for March 31, and the broader impact on the Sonoma State community.
He expressed solidarity with survivors of sexual violence connected to the Chavez allegations and highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a facilities Restorative Circle for students, staff, and faculty, as well as potential revisions to the “Tiene la Lumbra Adentro / He Has the Fire Within” mural to better honor the contributions of women and underrecognized members of the United Farm Workers movement, including Dolores Huerta, Esmeralda Lopez, Ana Murguía, and Debra Rojas.
As of now, the CSU has not announced any system-wide changes to Cesar Chavez Day or broader campus representations, but officials say they will continue to monitor developments and take further action if necessary.
The situation reflects a broader challenge facing universities: how to respond when new allegations complicate the legacy of widely recognized historical figures.
