February 25, 2025

Dear SRJC Community, 

I recognize the uncertainty and anxiety that many members of our community are experiencing from the federal actions over these past weeks. I share these feelings, and I want to reaffirm our commitment to SRJC’s mission, vision, and values. 

I want to provide two updates on recent federal actions that may impact our work. 

1. Dear Colleague Letter Update
   The February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights alerted educational institutions to the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights' broad-based interpretation of the 2023 Supreme Court decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard preventing the use of race in admissions. The DCL expanded the decision’s impact  to declare all diversity, equity, and inclusion measures illegal in federally funded K-12 and higher education institutions. . The DCL warned that noncompliance could jeopardize federal funding. As I shared in my initial communication, while the DCL does not carry the force of law, it does signal how the current administration intends to interpret and enforce existing civil rights regulations.  
   
   The DCL referenced a 14-day deadline from the date of the letter, but we continue to wait for the additional legal guidance that was promised in the letter. Even if the Department of Education insists on this broad interpretation, educational institutions should be given a reasonable amount of time to adjust before facing an investigation that could lead to immediate compliance demands and loss of federal funding. We are continuing to advocate with our state and national partners, the Chancellor’s Office, ACCJC, and others on this interpretation as well as the timeline for compliance.  
   
   Despite this uncertainty, SRJC’s leadership team is taking a proactive approach to begin an assessment of our programs and services, ensuring continued compliance with Proposition 209, which aligns with 2023 Supreme Court decision, while evaluating any potential areas of impact considering the new federal guidance. As part of this effort, we are actively engaging legal counsel and participating in statewide discussions to gain clarity and determine our next steps. You may be contacted by your component Vice President for more information on your programs or services. The District’s goal is to be informed with facts, be prepared to support students and employees, and provide a clear plan for how SRJC complies with the law.  
    
2. Preliminary Injunction on DEI Executive Orders 
   On Friday, February 21, 2025, a Maryland federal district court entered a nationwide preliminary injunction of key aspects of two recent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders: Executive Order 14151, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, (January 20, 2025); and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (January 21, 2025). Those two Executive Orders targeted DEI programs relating to federal contractor and grantee certifications, termination of equity-related grants and contracts, and threatening investigations of private-sector DEI programs. 
   
   The court found the EOs were unconstitutionally vague and constituted viewpoint discrimination, “the most ‘blatant’ and ‘egregious form of content discrimination’” under the First Amendment. 
   
   However, the injunction does not apply to the Department’s February 14 Dear Colleague Letter, which relies upon the recent Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard as the basis of its authority and not Executive Orders. We continue to monitor the potential legal implications of the injunction and the Dear Colleague Letter. 

I understand it is difficult to remain steadfast in our work with so much uncertainty, but I want to assure you that we are committed to supporting you throughout this process. I promise to remain vigilant, informed, and will advocate for students and our community.  I will continue to provide updates as new guidance emerges.