Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez Praises College Accrediting Body’s Diversity Stance

Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez praised the decision by a major college accrediting body to maintain diversity standards Monday, while warning of potential threats to higher education access.

Pérez, who represents Pasadena in the State Senate, responded to an announcement by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission, a regional accrediting body for U.S. colleges, that it would retain diversity, equity and inclusion language in its accreditation standards following stakeholder concerns about proposed changes.

“Students and their families are watching the actions of our institutions to see how they will foster a welcoming and safe environment on campus,” Pérez said. “Any lack of clarity will create needless fear. Multiple studies have shown diversity, equity and inclusion policies promote success for all students.”

The commission’s decision to maintain its diversity standards came in response to feedback from its membership and other organizations, emphasizing the need for deeper consideration before making changes.

Pérez warned that President-elect Trump “has made clear that he will try to tear down the decades of progress that have been made.” She noted that California’s public colleges and universities are among the most competitive in the world.

Recently elected to the State Senate, Pérez previously served as an advocate for higher education equity with the Campaign for College Opportunity, where she worked to advance policies improving college access and success for underserved and underrepresented students.

“Now is the time to be upstanders against anti-equity pressures that threaten to roll back our progress for Latinx, Black, Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, low-income, and undocumented students who have been historically excluded from equal opportunity in higher education,” said Jessie Ryan, President of the Campaign for College Opportunity. “Our students and families are watching and deserve nothing less than courageous action to protect and support our multi-racial democracy and economy.”

“We must lock in and continue making higher education affordable, accessible and welcoming for everyone, values I will be steadfast to protect with my colleagues in the Legislature,” Pérez said.

Pérez represents California’s 25th Senate District, which includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.