Renaming & Community Response Information Hub
On March 18th, 2026, the Associated Students Board of Directors issued the Statement Acknowledging Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against César Chávez. AS is now actively pursuing the renaming of the Student Center and reviewing how references to César Chávez appear within AS-operated spaces and communications.
This page serves as the central source for information about the process.
Help Rename the Student Center
Student input is now open through September 13th, 2026.
Share your feedback on the themes and suggest a name for the Student Center.
Explore the Naming Themes
The Renaming Ad Hoc Committee developed three broad themes to help organize ideas for the Student Center’s future name.
The survey also includes options to suggest a different theme or specific names.
The UFW originated from the organization of notable AWOC leaders like Larry Itliong, Manong Philip Vera Cruz, and Pete Velasco. Filipino worker strikes in Coachella, the Delaney County Grape Strike of 1965, and an extensive history of workers exploitation, led to the foundation of the UFW. The NFWA (National Farmworkers Association) leader (César Chávez) was later approached by AWOC leaders in hopes of strengthening their efforts via solidarity. Although his initial response was no, pressure from the NFWA and co-founders such as Dolores Huerta and Gilbert Padilla, resulted in a collaborative fight alongside AWOC. Together, they continued to demand living wages, better working conditions, breaks, restrooms, and basic human rights & protections for farmworkers. AWOC and the NFWA officially voted to merge and become the UFW in 1966. The UFW’s demands were met during the historic victory of 1970. The UFW was the precursor to the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which gave farmworkers the right to unionize. Due to the history of growers pitting Filipino and Mexican workers against one another in fieldwork, the UFW was a major radical and momentous organization of its time. Today, the UFW Foundation advocates for farm workers and immigrants across the U.S. and provides educational outreach and critical services such as immigration legal services to rural communities.
The Third World Liberation Front (TWLF), led by San Francisco State’s Black Student Union, was a multi-racial coalition of 1968 that assembled students and members of the community to demand: an end to racist institutional policies, open admissions to students of color, an increase of faculty of color, and self-determined relevant education that reflected the rich histories of the Third World. TWLF’s peaceful strike (Nov 6, 1968-March 20, 1969) was met by administrative censure and militant police violence. The TWLF’s strike remains indispensable in the establishment of the Ethnic Studies discipline and the first College of Ethnic Studies, providing structure and content towards a fight for liberation which continues today. The 1968 strike also laid the foundation for the creation of the SFSU Student Center. “On Strike, Shut it Down!”
1968 Strike Digital Archive | SFSU Special Collections
San Francisco State College Strike, 1968-1969 | SFSU Special Collections
The Student Strike That Changed Higher Ed Forever | NPR
The Longest Student Strike In History | Roots of Resistance | PBS
What SF State students Richard Oakes (Mohawk), Al Miller (Seminole), Gerald San (Round Valley), Joe Bill (Inuit), Deanna Francis (Malecite), Mickey Gemmill (Pit River), Robert Kaniatobe (Choctaw), Ronald Licker (Seneca), Joyce Rice (Winnebago) and others engaged in the Occupation of Alcatraz from November 20, 1969 to June 11, 1971, their goal as “All Tribes” was to claim Native land, demand Native rights and self-determination, and enable all in the United States to see "Indian Land." Citing the Treaty of 1868, that unused federal lands should be returned to Native Americans, they offered glass beads and red cloth in exchange for the island. This island was to be used to create a cultural center, ecology center and university for Native Americans. Their legacy lives on at SF State in their contribution to the creation of the American Indian Studies Department and the curriculum that has educated SF State students for over 50 years.
What's Happening?
✓ Removal of the César Chávez name from AS marketing materials & website
✓ Temporary coverage of the building name where feasible
✓ Evaluation of references to César Chávez within AS-managed spaces
✓ Development of a formal renaming proposal
✓ Planning for student & community engagement opportunities
How Does Renaming Actually Work?
SFSU is part of the California State University system; renaming the building requires review and approval through established university and CSU governance processes.
- Associated Students establishes an AdHoc Committee comprised of elected student government representatives & student org representatives.
Student & community feedback is gathered through canvassing, community forums, surveys & town halls.
The AdHoc committee prepares a proposal.
SFSU President reviews the proposal.
The proposal is submitted for final determination by the CSU Board of Trustees.
Timeline
- AS Board Approved Public Statement
- Create AdHoc Committee
- Approve AdHoc Committee Membership
- Strategy & Action Plan Development
- Student & Community Engagement
- Target Proposal Approval & Submission
- CSU Board of Trustees Consideration
Timeline
FAQ
Renaming the building requires review and approval through established university and California State University processes, which take time. Associated Students is actively working through those steps as quickly and thoughtfully as possible.
The Student Center Renaming Ad Hoc Committee was established by the Associated Students Board of Directors to gather student and community feedback and develop a recommendation for a new name for the Student Center.
Read the full Student Center Renaming Ad Hoc Committee Charter →
The committee brings together elected student representatives, an Ethnic Studies representative, representatives from Legacy Organizations housed in the Student Center, faculty, alumni/community representation, and advisory representatives from Associated Students and the University.
View the committee's full composition in the Ad Hoc Committee Charter →
The Ad Hoc Committee gathers and considers community feedback, develops a recommendation, and brings that recommendation forward through the formal approval process; the committee does not make the final decision to rename the building.
The final decision to rename the building rests with the California State University Board of Trustees. Associated Students is responsible for developing and advancing a recommendation through the appropriate university processes.
Students can participate by completing the Student Center Renaming Survey and through additional engagement opportunities throughout the renaming process; opportunities will be shared on this page as they become available.
Associated Students has begun removing the César Chávez name from materials within our control while the formal renaming process is underway. Some locations and materials require additional approvals or coordination and will be updated over time.
You can read the Associated Students Board of Directors' March 18, 2026 statement here.
If you have a question that isn't addressed on this page, please contact us at renaming@asi.sfsu.edu. We'll do our best to respond and update this page with additional information as appropriate.
What Information Will Be Shared?
Associated Students is committed to sharing:
Major process milestones
Student engagement opportunities
Estimated project costs when available
Proposed recommendations before final submission
Final decisions and implementation plans
Contact Us
Questions that are not addressed on this page may be sent to: renaming@asi.sfsu.edu.
Last Updated: August 2026.
