From: J. C.
Date: Tue, Feb 28, 2023 at 11:06 AM
Subject: Comments on Gala Honorees
To: <scprgala@scpr.org>
Cc: <savewhittiercollege@gmail.com>
Dear Southern California Public Radio Gala Organizers and Supporters,
I am writing this letter to ask that you reconsider honoring Miguel Santana of the Weingart Foundation as a “Guardian of Democracy” during the California Public Radio Gala in April. As you probably know, Mr. Santana is a member of the Whittier College Board of Trustees where he has conducted, condoned and facilitated not only un-democratic but also unethical behavior. The Whittier College Board of Trustees has rules of organization and operation that have been followed faithfully for the storied institution’s long and respected existence as a place of service, societal change and learning. Mr. Santana has chosen to break the rules of this governing body and suppress dissenting opinions through petty litigious actions all to forward the agenda of Dr. Linda Oubre the institution’s embattled president. Together Mr. Santana and Dr. Oubre have dismantled the institution’s operating structure to stifle any speech that even questions their controversial vision for the institution. They have fabricated intricate and disproven lies about safety, longstanding members of the community and have used these tactics to control speech and spread misinformation about the state of the institution. There are plenty of resources available, including op-ed pieces in Inside Higher Education and the LA times, that can tell the story of what is going on at the college and to the students, alumni and members of the community that care for the institution. Please take a look at this un-democratic behavior and do not honor a man who uses strong handed intimidation tactics, misinformation, and refuses to follow the rules of institutions that he supposedly respects and values.
Thank you,
[REDACTED]
2nd Generation Poet & Whittier College Class of 2016