Ohlone Community College District And Ohlone College: What’s In A Name?

Ohlone Community College District And Ohlone College

What’s In A Name?

By Jim Wright, Ph.D.

January 11, 2016

Introduction As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary year for Ohlone College, which will take place during 2017, this history of how the junior college actually came to be in the Fremont and Newark has been compiled. The history begins in 1907 when the California State Legislature enacted a law allowing for the creation and funding of “junior colleges” in the state. The major focus of our study, however, will be on the period from the end of World War II through the first year of classes for the college in 1967-68. However, while working on the overall early history of our district and college, a side project emerged that involves how our district and college names came to be. The community colleges in California are organized by districts, each governed by local Boards of Trustees. Today there are 71 districts and 113 colleges. Of the 71 districts, 43 are single-college districts and 28 are multi-college. Each district has a legal name, as does each college. Ohlone is a single-college district. The district is named the Ohlone College Community College District, and the college is named Ohlone College. But this has not always been the case, and things could have been much different along the way. The pathway to the name Ohlone for the district and college has had some twists and turns along the way; beginning when the idea of a junior college in this area was first arose. This paper will provide a summary of how our names have evolved. The term junior college will be used most of the time because that was the common usage during the period. Even though state law changed the designation from junior college to community college, a good number of people still use the term junior college or its shortcut “JC” to refer to the community colleges.

Early Rumblings Before the cities of Fremont and Newark came into existence in 1956, the area was knows as Washington Township, consisting of a number of small communities: Centerville, Irvington, Mission San Jose, Newark, Niles, and Warm Springs. Union City was formed in 1959 from the communities of Alvarado and Decoto. Local historian Philip Holmes in an article titled, “Ohlone College Comes to Washington Township” cites several pre-World War II efforts to bring a junior college to the area: Washington Township citizens agitated to secure a junior college in South Alameda County in 1929. It was decided that the area could not support the necessary bond. The movement was revived in 1931 for a college in Eden, Murray, Pleasanton and Washington Township. William for it offered $100,000 to start a junior college in Niles. However, real traction was not realized until after World War II. The Name Could Have Been the Alameda County Junior College District In 1946, University of California and the State Board of Education jointly established a "Liaison Committee" to identify the post-war needs for higher education, especially in light of the anticipated surge of new students under the GI Bill. The state Legislature provided funding for the Liaison Committee to conduct a study to “chart the future of California's rapidly growing higher education system.” The report was titled, "Survey of Needs of California in Higher Education." It was also known as the “Strayer Report” after one of its principal authors, Professor George Strayer of Columbia University. Among its findings and recommendations, the report showed the need for a junior college in the East Bay. (Winter) An Alameda County study group in 1948 recommended establishment of a junior college district for the county and a special election was held in December, 1948. The voters turned down the proposed district. The defeat was attributed to “poor timing (i.e., following so closely upon a general election), small turnout (only 11 percent of the electorate); campaign domination by school officials; and opposition by the Oakland Tribune” (Staniford) The Name Could Have Been the “Washington Township Junior College District” In 1955, responding to the influx of GIs, and in anticipation of the growing baby boom, the state legislature funded the "Liaison Committee," described above, to

update the Strayer Report. The new study and resulting report was titled the “A Restudy of the Needs of California in Higher Education,” and was commonly known as simply “The Restudy.” The Restudy looked at the whole system of higher education: junior colleges, state colleges, and University of California campuses. Many recommendations were made, which would ultimately (after even more studies) lead to the landmark Donohue Bill passed in 1960 establishing the Master Plan for Higher Education. One of the findings of the Restudy indicated the area of Alameda County south of Oakland (Oakland and Berkeley had formed a junior college district a few years earlier) would benefit from the formation of a junior college district. Many junior colleges created in the years prior to 1956 were organized within an existing school district, or group of school districts. Two local planning efforts were undertaken in response to the Restudy finding and are described here, though neither would result in the formation of a district. One of the local planning efforts was pursued by the Board of Trustees of the Washington Union High School District (WUHSD) (Fremont Unified School District was yet to be formed). At that time, Washington High School was the largest high school in the area and WUHSD Board became interested in forming a junior college. The conducted an opinion poll that showed people opposed the formation 511 to 357, so the idea was tabled. Elsewhere in the county, the school districts in Hayward and San Leandro undertook discussions of forming a junior college district. Public reaction was mixed. Local school officials, Parent and Teacher Associations, League of Women Voters and Dads' Clubs advocated for the college idea. Other community leaders and some city officials were opposed to it, on the grounds that South County still lacked the population. No drive for a local district resulted. The Emergence of the South County Junior College District (Chabot College) In 1959 the State Department of Education again recommended the formation of a junior college district in the south Alameda County area. Hayward Union High School District and San Leandro Unified School District again began planning in earnest. However, the newly-incorporated cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City had just been incorporated and were preoccupied with getting their new governments off the ground. Also, the Washington Union High School District was focused on the growing push to unify the various Washington Township school districts. Thus, the Fremont, Newark and Union City area did not join in the effort to create what was to become the South County Junior College District (SCJCD). The SCJCD was approved by voters in January 1961. Classes at the newly name Chabot Junior College began in September 1961 in temporary quarters. In April of

that year voters approved a $17.2 million bond and construction on a new campus on Hesperian Drive in Hayward began in 1964, which opened in 1966. For the time being, residents in Fremont, Newark and Union City seemed willing to foot the bill in taxes paid to Chabot and other districts for student attendance. Education Code Obstacles The Master Plan for Higher Education enacted in 1960 called for all areas of the state to be included in a junior college district. The WUHSD Board formed a Junior College Committee (JCC) in 1960 to study the feasibility of creating a local junior college district. In 1961 the committee recommended the formation of a junior college district in Washington Township (Fremont-Newark-Union City) with one Board administering both the high school and college. By that time, a proposal to form a new junior college district had to first be approved by the State Department of Education before going to the voters. State Education Code required there be sufficient assessed property value to support taxes to operate a college, which at the time was determined to be $150,000 per potential student. Areas that did not meet the standard were referred to a “lowwealth� and not candidates for separate junior college districts. The State Department of Education was promoting larger junior college districts, and lowwealth areas were advised to annex with existing districts. Within the Washington Township district the requirement was set at $150,000,000, indicating there were 1,000 potential students in the district. At that time, the actual assessed property valuation in the proposed district did not meet the state requirement, so no action was taken on the JCC suggestion. Early in 1962 the JCC was reactivated and set out once again to explore the idea of a local district. The group developed a report and recommended a planning timetable for WUHSD to form the new district by July 1, 1963 and start classes in September of 1964. In April 1962, WUHSD trustees adopted a resolution petitioning the state to call an election to form a district. In September 1962, it was determined the township had an assessed valuation of $133,335,612, still short of the minimum requirement. Fremont and Newark Could Have Been Part of Chabot College In May 1963 the JCAC was again reactivated. In September they recommended annexation to the South County Junior College District (Chabot College). It was thought since they were already paying for this attendance, officially joining that district could give them some say in how the dollars were spent without needing to form a separate district. However, an October 1963 meeting with South County officials did not go well. For one thing, annexation would not result direct representation on the SCJCD Board. Further, the general SCJCD building plan did

not include a campus in the Fremont and Newark area, and one could not be expected for at least 10 to 15 years. Thus, WUHSD officials decided to continue to pursue the formation of a separate district in Washington Township. School Unifications Meanwhile, in the early 1960s, significant changes in the organization of local schools districts were in the works driven, in part, by the incorporations of the cities of Fremont, Newark and Union City a few years earlier, along with the growth in population and number of schools. Unification,” was a statewide phenomenon aimed at centralizing the oversight of the small neighborhood school committees prevalent at the time. There was even enhanced state funding available to do so. Unification was thought to be more cost-effective and a way to make curriculum and programs more consistent. “Unification” elections were held throughout Washington Township in January of 1964. Unification was approved in Newark and Fremont. Unification failed in Union City, but was finally approved in December of 1964. Unification paved the way for the junior college district to be defined as within borders of Newark Unified (NUSD) and Fremont Unified School Districts (FUSD). The New Haven Unified School District associated with Union City ultimately annexed with SCJCD. On September 30, 1964 the Department of Education denied the original WUHSD petition for a district because the assessed valuation was still below the required level. However, local support for a junior college was undeterred. The newly formed FUSD and NUSD joined forces to make the case to the Department of Education and its oversight body, the State Board of Education. However, exemptions for existing Education Code would be needed. Assemblyman Carlos Bee Intervenes The arguments for a separate district were strong: Township residents were paying taxes to outside districts accepting Township students and many wanted more local control of how those funds should be spent. In April 1965 a local State Assemblyman, Mr. Carlos Bee, introduced a bill in the legislature exempting the proposed district from the state required assessed valuation behind each student and it passed unanimously in both houses and was signed by the Governor Pat Brown on June 8, 1965. Shortly thereafter, the State Board of Education reversed State Department of Education’s earlier denial. Clearly, having the state legislature and the Governor provide a stamp of approval for the local district was a factor. And that endorsement would certainly be helpful in encouraging local voters to approve the formation of a district.

At the time the Fremont News-Register stated, if the district was approved by the voters, one of the first tasks of the new trustees would be to choose a district name. The paper speculated, “Best bet now is Mission, with Washington and Dumbarton having some support.” Fremont Newark Junior College District Once the State Board of Education approved the proposal for a junior college district for Fremont and Newark, an election date was set for December 7, 1965 and the campaign was underway. Supporters conducted the campaign under the banner of the “Fremont-Newark Junior College District” rather than Washington Township. On election-day, voters approved the formation of the Fremont Newark Junior College District with a 73% yes vote, well above the required 66.7%. Seven members of a Board of Trustees were elected for the new district, five from Fremont and two from Newark. The vote for trustees had been on the same ballot in case the district was approved, allowing for things to get up and running right away. At its first meeting on January 3, 1966, contrary to the earlier speculation by the News-Register, the newly elected trustees voted unanimously to formally adopt the name “Fremont-Newark Community College District.” (1/3/66 Board Minutes, Appendix 1) Over the next year and a half, the Board busied itself with doing what needs to be done to start a college: hiring a President/Superintendent, hiring faculty and staff, finding a place to offer classes, building a budget, planning for a bond to support building a permanent campus, finding a location for that campus, and many, many other details. Classes were set to start in September 1967. A Seed is Planted for the Name Ohlone Most junior college districts at the time (and still today) create separate names for the college or colleges in the district. At some point during the spring of 1967, Dr. Epler paid a visit to the Ohlone cemetery on Washington Boulevard in Fremont and struck up a conversation with Felipe “Phil” Galvan who was the Principal Caretaker of the Motherhouse of the Sisters near Mission San Jose. Phil was wellknown Ohlone leader and founder of the Ohlone Indian Tribe Inc., which was dedicated to the preservation of Ohlone burial sites. He was also a leader in the American Indian Historical Society. According to Phil’s son Andy Galvan, Dr. Epler told Phil he was looking for an Ohlone word that meant “school” or “learning” as a possible suggestion for a name for the new college. Phil responded, “Why don’t you just use the word Ohlone?” That seemed to make great sense to Dr. Epler! But a college President cannot unilaterally decide an issue as sensitive as what to name the local community

college. (More information about the life and community involvement of Phil Galvan is attached in Appendix 2). The College Could Have Been Mark Twain, Coast, Washington, Reagan, Carlos Bee, Dumbarton, Mission Valley, Golden Hills, John Fremont, or Newmont (an interesting attempt at compromise) or simply “Our College� as suggested by several soon-to-be students In the summer of 1967 a series of emotion-packed FNCCD Board of Trustees produced the name Ohlone for the new college. But, it was not without a good amount of drama. Things got underway when a time was placed on the on the May 31 Board meeting agenda to adopt a process for selecting a name. Here is a synopsis of the process and action over three consecutive Board meetings. May 31, 1967 Board Meeting (5/31/67 Board Minutes, Appendix 3) The May 31 Board meeting, was conducted in the Fremont Unified School District, Instructional Materials Center Conference Room, where the Board had been regularly meeting. A number of citizens addressing the Board about the college name during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. Obviously there had been much discussion in the community once it was known that the Board would be forming a procedure for naming the college. There was a strong sentiment to name the college Ohlone in honor of the native people who had so influenced the history of the region. The supporters came prepared to make their case even before a naming procedure was developed. Phil Galvan attended the meeting and provided information concerning the scope of influence of the Ohlone Indians on the development of the East Bay area. He stated the Ohlone Indians would consider it an honor to have the new college name for their people. In effect, as a leader of the Ohlone people, he was giving the college permission to use the name. Mr. Galvan, along with Rupert Costo, followed up with an official letter to Dr. Epler, dated June 7. The letter was written in behalf of the American Indian Historical Society and includes a compelling rationale for naming the college Ohlone. The heart of their reasoning was the value and love of learning in the lives of the Ohlone people. For a full appreciation of their reasoning the complete letter and attachments are presented as Appendix 3. Mrs. Wilma Prewitt had been active in attempts to save Ohlone burial grounds from destruction in the face of growing development in the area. Her statement in favor or naming the college Ohlone traced the history and accomplishments of the Ohlone Indian tribe in the Fremont area and pointed out the early cultural and educational contributions made to the area.

Mrs. J. A. Silva of Fremont endorsed the use of the name Ohlone. She quoted sections from History of Mission San Jose by Father Francis Florence McCarthy describing the reactions of the early Spanish priests to the abilities and contributions of the Ohlone Indians. Mr. James Bray also announced his support of the use of the name Ohlone. Both Mrs. Silva and Mr. Bray had been strong advocates of preserving the culture and history of the Ohlone people. Later in the meeting the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed procedure for selecting a college name as presented. All interested persons and organizations of Fremont and Newark were encouraged to suggest names by June 12. A Board sub-committee made up of Mr. John Costello and Rev. Jack Wilson would review the suggestions and bring a short list of proposed names to the Board at its June 28. Ohlone Becomes the College Name (Maybe!) June 28, 1967 Board Meeting (6/28/67 Board Minutes, Appendix 5) There appears to have been some political maneuvering going on between the May 31 and June 28 Board meetings. Dr. Marilyn Blawie was a lawyer and professor at Cal State Hayward. Mr. Joseph McCord was a newspaper reporter for the Fremont News-Register, a competitor to the Argus. In the previous April elections Mr. McCord had defeated Dr. Blawie for a seat on the junior college Board. The Argus also reported on June 19 that Dr. Blawie had threatened a $250,000 libel suit against the Fremont News-Register and Mr. McCord, a reporter for the paper, for libel and defamation related to news reports of Board meetings. Dr. Blawie was known to be in favor of the name Ohlone for the college and Mr. McCord was thought to have other names in mind. The June 28 meeting was to be Dr. Blawie’s last meeting before Mr. McCord replaced her in July, and Mr. McCord had an interest in delaying the naming decision until he was officially on the Board. Mr. McCord was reported in the Argus to have been a political allay of Mr. Costello, one of the two Board members assigned to bring back a short list of names for the Board to review for selection. The June 28 Board meeting began as normal with the “Hearing of citizens desiring to address the Board.” College yell leaders, incoming students Michael Gomes, Mary Pryor, Patty Cabral, and Virginia Smith, asked the Board to reach a decision on naming the college so that a team name, mascot, yells and songs could be selected and sweater block insignias designed and ordered. Mrs. Wilma Prewitt spoke in favor of Ohlone as a college name emphasizing the all-inclusiveness of the name relative to the district, as did Mr. James Bray. Board President Wesley Sears and Mr. Costello concurred with the students that a prompt decision on the college name was desirable but pointed out the site selection

could be a determining factor in the name chosen. Mr. Costello suggested no action on the matter until all Board members had turned his suggested names in to the committee and added that he did not think the college should be named without all Board members present (Trustee Abraham Hochler was absent). He stated he and fellow sub-committee member, Jack Wilson would be asking to delay the selection until mid-July. Dr. Blawie stated it was her opinion the name Ohlone was the most representative of the area of all names suggested. When the college naming item came up for action, it was moved by Dr. Blawie and seconded by Trustee Dr. Lyle Edmison, a student services Dean at Cal State Hayward, the college be named Ohlone. This was before the sub-committee was to give a report and probably designed to get the name Ohlone on the table before the committee moved to delay the decision. During the discussion on the motion, Mr. Sears presented a brief review of the naming procedure after which Rev. Wilson stated that he would prefer to deal with college name at the next Board meeting. Trustee Charles Snow stated that the name Ohlone was fine his opinion but that he would not oppose the matter being held over to the next meeting for final decision, since it might give the public an opportunity to express themselves before final action is taken. Dr. Edmison stated that Ohlone was a natural name for the college and that he had heard no arguments against it. Mr. Costello stated his committee should have the opportunity to consider names. The Argus editorial cited below alleges that the committee had not even met. As the discussion was coming to an end, Ohlone leader Phil Galvan, who had, in effect given the Board permission to the use name Ohlone, became frustrated with the Board’s apparent move to delay the decision. The following is the account of the college naming given by Andy Galvan about his father Felipe “Phil” Galvan’s involvement in the college naming process: One night in 1967 tension rose at a public meeting in the Mission San Jose district where the name for the area’s new college was to be selected. Felipe “Phil” Galvan, an Ohlone Indian descendent, who’d grown frustrated that the promises to name the school after his tribe were being broken, began to speak to the large crowd. "We native people often have this happened to us. The majority makes a promise and then they take it back. To solve this I take away my permission for you to use the Ohlone name." He then left the meeting. Mr. Castello expressed his personal support for the name Ohlone but he felt that other names should be considered and his committee had not had time to review the submissions and that Mr. Hochler should be part of the decision. Then a substitute motion was made by Rev. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Costello to refer the naming

of the college to the original committee. The motion failed: 2 Ayes 2 (Costello and Wilson), 4 Noes (Blawie, Edmison, Snow and Sears). Mr. Costello continued to express his concerns and Board President Sears is reported to have said, “Frankly John, I don’t find a better name than Ohlone,” and called a recess at 8:50 pm to let Costello and Wilson come up with their final proposal of names. The Board reconvened 9:10 PM and Mr. Castillo list of the subcommittee’s choice of four names not in priority order as Mission Valley, Golden Hills, Carlos Bee and Ohlone. The Argus reported these were hand written on a blackboard in the meeting room. The previous motion to name the college Ohlone was still on the table and the Board voted 4-2 to approve the name Ohlone (Marilyn Blawie, Lyle Edmison, Wesley Sears, and Charles Snow were in favor, with Costello and Wilson voting against). As mentioned, Trustee Abraham Hochler was absent. Andy Galvan concluded his story about his father’s role as follow: When he (Phil Galvan) arrived home there already was a phone message from college president Epler saying officials had selected Ohlone as its name but didn't want to vote officially on it until he returned to the hall. He basically shamed them into naming it Ohlone. Ohlone Becomes the College Name (For the Time Being) July 12, 1967 Board Meeting (7/12/67 Board Minutes, Appendix 6) The day before the July 12 Board meeting, the Argus reported that a reconsideration of the name Ohlone was, “expected to be brought forward, either by at least two trustees who are on record in opposition to the name Ohlone, or a group of citizens who favor either of at least two alternatives. Expected to be strongly touted are Mission Valley and Newmont a newcomer to the name derby and a combination of the two cities in the district.” In the same edition, the Argus published an editorial strongly urging the name of the college not be changed. It is difficult over 50 years later to unravel the various motives involved in struggle to name the college. However, the editorial clearly identifies a political motivation on the part of two of the Trustees. The editorial, entitled “Ohlone Is the Right Name,” is attached in Appendix 7 so the reader can understand the context. It should be said, as noted below, that Mr. McCord did state at the subsequent Board meeting he was not in favor of the name Mission Valley. Further, it is important to know that Mr. McCord was a reporter for the Fremont News-Register, a direct competitor of the Argus.

The July 12 Board meeting began calmly with the swearing in of three recently elected Trustees: Abraham Hochler and John Castillo had been reelected, and Joseph McCord, a newspaper reporter, had defeated incumbent Marilyn Blawie. There was a larger than normal audience on hand. Clearly the word was out that a move was in the works to reconsider the June 28 decision to name the college Ohlone. During the public comment period, a number of audience members addressed the Board both for and against the decision to name the college Ohlone. Those speaking in favor of the name were Mrs. Bernadette Eyselee, representing the Fremont Historical Resources Committee, Chris Youngerford, student of the college, Mr. Philip Galvan Ohlone Indian and secretary of the American Indian Historical Society, Mrs. Wilma Prewitt, Mr. Harry Brumbaugh, Mr. James Bray and Mr. Dan Silva. Several petitions were presented signed by numerous individuals supporting the name Ohlone. The Board meeting minutes summarized their points as follows: 1. The Board had made a decision and should not change it, 2. To name the college after the local Indian group would be a distinct honor for a group which provided much of the early history of the area in the beginning of cultural and educational programs, and 3. Personal preference for the name. Those speaking against the name were Dr. Don Emerson representing the Fremont Dads for Better Education, and Miss Cheryl Miller and Mr. James Millet, both students-to-be at the college. On behalf of the Fremont Dads for Better Education, Dr. Emerson presented a formal statement objecting to the selection of the name. The Argus reported him as stating the group’s opposition was due to the "questionable image” of the name Ohlone. He explained that while his group admires the Ohlone people and their history, they felt the name, “did not relate to an institution of higher learning” and proposed the name John C. Fremont College for consideration. The Board meeting minutes summarized the points made to reconsider the name as follows: 1. Further review and careful study should be given before the selection of the name, 2. Some students were not happy with the name, 3. Possible uncomplimentary parodies are possible with the name (the Argus reported a person mentioned the name “Baloney College”). After the public comment Mr. McCord moved to rescind the action at the June 28 meeting adopting the name “Ohlone College” as the name of the college in the District. The motion was seconded by Rev. Wilson The Argus report of the meeting stated, “He (McCord) maintained that the previous action was premature and he denied any political motive in his action he said he

had no specific name in mind but that he was opposed to the name Mission Valley because it already was used in a commercial venture.” The paper had alleged that Mr. McCord would be bringing forward the name Mission Valley, the name of a real estate development firm and his former employer. During the discussion on the motion, Board members in support of reconsideration made the following points: 1. The permanent college site had not been selected, 2. Such an important decision as naming the college should receive more study, and 3. The newly elected Board member and the Board member absent at the time the action was taken should both have the opportunity to vote on the name. Board members opposed to the motion countered that: 1. Strong community support had been evidence at the Board meeting when the action was taken in support of the name, 2. The Board had made a decision and should stay with it, 3. Adequate time and publicity and appropriate procedure had been allowed for the determination, and 4. The name had historical significance to the area served by the District. The trustees who supported the name originally (Lyle Edmison, Wesley Sears, and Charles Snow) were joined by John Costello in defeating the motion. Costello had voted against the name at the previous meeting but was opposed to resending the decision because such an action would cause the Board, "to go on, forever and ever." The name of the college remained Ohlone, and does so to this day. However, as will be seen, Mr. McCord would revisit the name of the college the following year. Mr. Gene King was a reporter for the Argus covering the junior college developments in those days. Mr. King wrote a somewhat humorous and very enlightening commentary about the naming process at the time. The commentary was published on July 13 and is attached in Appendix 8. King reported that he learned from William Collins, college administrative assistant, 56 suggested names had been submitted to the Board for consideration. [A list found in the college archives shows the district received 52 name suggestions from the community, in addition to Ohlone. The full list is presented in Appendix 9] In the commentary, King mentioned some of the names including Mark Twain, Coast, Washington, Reagan, Carlos Bee, Dumbarton, Pacific Ocean, Mission, and, of course, Ohlone. He also quipped that college students often become possessive over their campus and one student-to-be suggested re-calling it “Ours!” The commentary ends with a great line, “Whatever the name turns out to be one thing seems certain: someone or something famous or near famous will more than likely lend its name even if it turns out to be a famous ditch (that was suggested as a name), the “Hetch Hetchy.”

It is interesting to note when the Washington Township towns of Niles, Mission San Jose, Irvington, Centerville and Warm Springs were moving ahead in 1956 for a consolidated city, the possible names being considered for the new city included Washington, Fremont, Mission City, Alvarado, Peralto [sic.], Dumbarton, Mission Valley and Union City. A Citizens Committee eventually approved the name Fremont by a very small vote. (Gardiner) Our Teams Became “Saints” (rather than “Pathfinders,” “Redskins” or “Condors”) During the month of March 1967, district staff began an outreach effort to the five high schools (Newark, Washington, Mission, Kennedy and Irvington – American did not exist at the time) and two seniors were elected from each school to meet on March 29 to serve as a Student Advisory Committee to advise on procedures, school colors, team name, and later a name for the college. At the April Board meeting Trustees voted unanimously to approve the students’ recommendation of Forest Green, Green Bay Gold, and White as the official college colors. At the September 13, two weeks before classes were to start, Jimmie Jesus, serving as spokesman for the Student Advisory Committee, announced that the group had chosen the following four names for the Board’s approval: “Saints,” “Pathfinders,” “Redskins,” and “Condors.” Board members approved all names but felt that the students themselves should make the final choice of a single name. A motion passed unanimously by the Board to ask the Student Advisory Committee to arrange for an election at the time of registration to select one of the four names submitted and report the final selection made by majority vote, to the Board at its next meeting. At the September 27 Board meeting the results of the vote on the team name were reported: 338 – Ohlone Saints 256 – Ohlone Redskins 130 – Ohlone Condors 192 – Ohlone Pathfinders In compliance with previous Board action, the name “Saints” became the official team name. We Could Have Been Kennedy College The 1967-68 academic year went well for the new Ohlone Junior College, as faculty, administrators and students settled in to their temporary quarters at the former Serra Center for Girls on Washington Avenue in Fremont. On June 5, 1968, as the first graduating class was readying for their commencement later that month, the voters of Fremont and Newark approved the $11.1 million bond measure to support

construction of a permanent campus. In the press, this local victory was greatly overshadowed by the assassination that same day of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. June 26, 1968 Board Meeting (6/26/68 Board Minutes, Appendix 10) Trustee Joe McCord introduced a proposal to change the name of the college from Ohlone to Robert F. Kennedy College in honor of the recently slain Senator and Presidential candidate. McCord had voted against naming the college a year before when he was first elected to the Board. There was almost unanimous opposition from the Board members and the audience. The Board minutes indicate that Mr. McCord distributed and read a statement proposing the Board consider renaming Ohlone College in honor of John and Robert Kennedy and asked that the item be placed on the August agenda. (Appendix 11) A subsequent Argus editorial said the statement was eloquent but ill timed. Board members and citizens in the audience discussed at great length their personal viewpoint regarding Mr. McCord’s proposal. Mr. McCord stated his proposal was meant to promote open discussion. He said his request to place the item on the August agenda was to allow the community time to voice their opinion in its regard through letters to the Board, to the editor of the newspapers, and through telephone calls. This request for input prompted another strongly-worded editorial by the Argus published June 28 calling for the name Ohlone not be changed. (Appendix 12) One member of the audience at the June 26 meeting was a young Santa Clara University graduate student, John Weed, who nine years later in 1977 would be elected to the Ohlone College Board of Trustees (by 21 votes he like to remind folks) and went on to serve with distinction for 33 years. During John’s tenure on the Board, the college would add a fine and performing arts center, a center for basic skills and instructional computing, pass a $150 million bond measure to build a student center on the Fremont Campus and a second campus complex in Newark, and pass a $350 million local bond measure to transform the academic core of the Fremont Campus. He retired from the Board in 2010. We Remain Ohlone College (For Good!) August 28, 1968 Board Meeting (8/28/68 Board Minutes, Appendix 13) At the August 28 Board meeting, Mr. McCord reviewed his reasons for proposing a name change for Ohlone College and willingly withdrew his recommendation after surveying the evidence of public opinion which almost unanimously advocated retention of the name of Ohlone College. The Argus reported McCord stated he had, “got the message.”

The ensuing discussion covered the possible naming of the future gymnasium or an athletic field for Robert F. Kennedy in memoriam to his athletic interests; memorial contributions in the Kennedy name to the Ohlone foundation for scholarships and loans; the procedure for establishing library memorial fund; and the participation of citizens committee to ascertain a worthy Robert F. Kennedy Memorial at Ohlone. Following the discussion, it was moved by Mr. McCord, seconded Mr. Hochler, and passed unanimously to consider the establishment of a library memorial fund at Ohlone College in the name of Robert F Kennedy. President Edmiston appointed Mr. McCord to chair a committee committed to study this memorial fund and report back to the Board during the middle of October. Mr. Hochler, Mr. Bray, Mrs. Prewitt, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Karasek, and the Superintendent were also asked to serve on this committee. At the November 6 Board meeting Mr. McCord reported the committee had met on morning of September 14 and come up with a proposal to establish a library book memorial fund honoring the late Robert F Kennedy. The fund was to be widely communicated and donations were to be solicited. Books purchased from the fund should bear book plate labels with the name “Ohlone College – RFK Memorial Fund” along with the donor’s name. Students were to be encouraged to sponsor a social event for the purpose of raising funds and to hold an annual memorial service for Senator Kennedy in June of each year. The “Saints” Become the “Renegades” At the June 26 Board meeting mentioned above (Appendix 10), the Board was presented with a request from the student body to change the nickname of the athletics teams from the Saints to the Renegades. Some concern was raised about the name Renegades when the Ohlone people were mainly peaceful people. After a lively discussion, the Board passed approved the request by a 4-2 vote. Several times over the years Phil Galvan was asked what he thought of the name Renegade. Thinking he would feel the name was denigrating his people, those asking his opinion were surprised when he said, “I suggested they used that name.” He explained that the Indians under the control of Mission San Jose had the most “renegades” and this was a point of honor for the Ohlones. His only request for the use of the name Renegades for the college teams was that the college teams be winners! From “Junior” to “Community” At the October 12, 1966 Board Meeting, as the focus was on the bond election scheduled for the next month, Board President, Mr. Wesley Sears, reminded the Board and the audience that, “…we are building a community college geared to the needs of the community, and this should be emphasized.” College President Dr.

Stephen Epler stated the trend nationally and in the State was to use the term “Community College.” At the September 2, 1970 Board of Trustees meeting President/Superintendent Dr. Stephen Epler informed the Board that, “The State Legislature by law has changed the designation of a “junior college district’ to a “community college district.” The County Counsel indicates that action by the local Board is not needed. The change will be effective November, 1970.” (Appendix 14) The modern era for California Community Colleges began in 1967 when, after two studies found the State Department of Education weak and unable to lead community colleges. The Legislature and Governor Reagan created a stand-alone Board of Governors and an Office of the Chancellor for California Community Colleges. This severed the structural link with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Office of the Chancellor was given the same duties and responsibilities as the State Department of Education and its Superintendent. (Agency Review) Dr. Epler gave the following background in the October, 1967 “President’s Message” in the college newsletter: Senator Walter Stiern, of Bakersfield, authored a bill for a separate state fifteen member board to govern the “California Community Colleges.” The term “junior college” is replaced by “community college,’ which emphasizes service to its local citizens. Fremont-Newark Junior College District becomes Fremont-Newark Community College District. Ohlone Community College District In 2001, the District proposed and the voters approved the $150 million Measure A Bond to build a new campus in Newark and a Student Services Building on the Fremont Campus. When the Alameda County Registrar of Voters office was identifying the precincts to be involve in the election it was determined that a number of the precincts of the District were actually in Union City. This started a discussion regarding the name of the District being limited to Fremont and Newark. Trustee John Weed came forward with the proposal to change the name to the Ohlone Community College District. According to Mr. Weed, A principal part of my argument for naming the District Ohlone College was my belief that Ohlone was that Ohlone College should not be defined to a specific local area. Rather, Ohlone had current international programs, and the potential to become a leader in education worldwide. The location near Silicon Valley warranted a far broader perspective than commonly found in the community college system.

The name change was also seen as a way to ameliorate some of the divisions that sometimes occurred between Fremont and Newark interests on the Board. At the request of the Board, President/Superintendent Dr. Floyd Hogue reviewed the proposal with the Faculty Senate and the President’s Advisory Council and both groups endorsed the idea. Dr. Hogue brought the recommendation to the June 26, 2002 Board meeting as Resolution No. 41/01-02 (Appendix 15). The resolution was passed unanimously by the Trustees to be effective December 1, 2002. The major points of the resolution included: 1. The college was officially named Ohlone College on June 28, 1967 in honor of the Ohlone Indians, early inhabitants of the Fremont-Newark area. The Ohlone people helped the Franciscan Fathers build Mission San Jose in the late 18th century; 2. Ohlone College offers far greater name recognition with the constituencies of the District than does Fremont-Newark Community College District; and 3. The proposed name will promote better cohesiveness within the District. Knowing the history of the original decision to name the college, it is reassuring the rational presented in this resolution to name the district Ohlone mirrors the rational for naming the college Ohlone years earlier.

Primary Sources (Argus) Argus Newspaper Archives beginning at the inception of the paper in April 1960 (Winter) History of the Junior College Movement in California, Prepared by Carl G. Winter, Consultant, Bureau of Junior College Education, California State Department of Education, October 23, 1964 (Revised December 21, 1964) (Staniford) Chabot College: The First Twenty Years, An Informal History by Edward R. Staniford, Edited and prepared for publication by Donald S. Mayo, 1981 (OCCD) Ohlone Community College Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes (Factsheet) Ohlone College historical archives Factsheet on the development of the Junior College District, 1956 – 1965 (Willard/Wright) Alameda County, California Crossroads: An Illustrated History, Ruth Hendricks Willard and David Lewis Wright, 1988. (MPHF) City of Fremont: The First Thirty Years – History of Growth, Mission Peak Heritage Foundation, 1989. (Gardiner) Fremont: A Modern History of an All-American City, Allen Gardiner, In Cooperation with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, 2002. (Holmes/Rose) Reflections: The Educational Heritage of Fremont, Phil Holmes and Dolores Rose, 1983. (Agency Review) An Aspiration for Excellence – An Agency Review of the System Office for the California Community Colleges, CCCCO, September 2004 Ohlone College Newsletter, October, 1967.

Appendix Contents Appendix 1: 1/3/66 Board Minutes, Appendix 2: Information on the life of Filipe “Phil” Galvan Appendix 3: 5/31/67 Board Minutes Appendix 4: 6/7/67 Letter from Mr. Galvan and Mr. Costo to Dr. Epler Appendix 5: 6/28/67 Board Minutes Appendix 6: 7/12/67 Board Minutes Appendix 7: Argus Editorial, 7/12/67 “Ohlone is the Right Name” Appendix 8: Argus Commentary, 07/13/67 Appendix 9: List of 52 suggested names for the college Appendix 10: 6/26/68 Board Minutes Appendix 11: 6/26/68 Statement by Trustee McCord Appendix 12: Argus Editorial, 6/28/68 “No Shabby Tributes” Appendix 13: 8/28/68 Board Minutes Appendix 14: Memo changing the name of the district to Fremont-Newark Community College District Appendix 15: Board Resolution No. 41/01/-02 to name the district the Ohlone Community College District)

Appendix 2 Mr. Filipe “Phil” Galvan’s Obituary The Resolution passed by the Ohlone Community College Board of Trustees Honoring Mr. Galvan A testimonial to Mr. Galvan published in the Argus newspaper

Appendix 4 6/7/67 Letter from Mr. Galvan and Mr. Costo to Dr. Epler

Appendix 7 Argus Editorial, “Ohlone Is the Right Name” published on July 12, 1967 Rumors are rife the trustees of the Fremont Newark Junior College tonight will take it upon themselves to change one of the few sound decisions they made so far. Sources who know say a strong move will be made to strike Ohlone as the new name of the college and except in its place mission valley junior college. To put this most blatant political maneuvering in its proper context of some background is needed. The district’s efforts to select a name are anything but strenuous or imaginative. Still it managed for the help and initiative of interest of citizens to stumble onto the best possible name. But those efforts were neither surreptitious, clandestine nor surprising - as some others have tried to insinuate. The subcommittee which included trustee John Castillo was specifically told to have his recommendation ready for the official board action June 28. So it should have been no surprise on a recommendation was demanded that night. Failing to obtain one the remainder of the board did the next best thing - acted on its own. The subcommittee has no basis to complain about being bypassed because it never met to accomplish its purpose. The district despite changes to the contrary considered 44 names and finally we did it down to these four: Mission Valley, Golden Hills, Carlos Bee and Ohlone. The latter won on a vote from Wes Sears, Lyle Edmison, Charles Snow and Marilyn Blawie. But tonight Joe McCord replaces Mrs. Blawie on the board and not only has definitely names to Mission Valley but has been active in an 11th hour protest appeal against Ohlone. The resulting 3 - 3 standoff will be left in the hands of trustee a popular who is absent from the last meeting. Trustees should weigh heavily these points before undertaking reconsideration a move that would not permit Mrs. Blawie we when she was on the board and worried about a far more important matter. Nothing could be more potential he dangerous them for the name selection to be sucked into the same political Meyer as the site selection appears to be. It would publicly slate and ridicule those who proposed and supported the Ohlone name and it would lead the public to believe the board does not have the courage to send by his commitments in the face of obvious political pressure. A name change now would be more volatile fuel in the hands of those who oppose the district that Camp needs more ammunition like it does a hole in the head. The move to name the district after the housing track of McCord’s political ally and former employer is not the first. Costello failed once before and trying to get the district name to Mission Valley. It was hardly surprising that he wanted the whole matter put aside until McCord, with whom he has exchanged past political favor, came on the board. Golden Hills makes a great song or book title, and even Carlos Bee would blush at such an obvious political honorarium.

Ohlone has no special interest support except for the proud tribe who is colorful history is unfortunately fast food in from site and memory. Its name not only a short descriptive traditional an extremely appropriate but it's entirely nonpolitical. It should stay that way.

Appendix 8 A Commentary by Mr. Gene King a reporter covering Ohlone College for the Argus that was published on June 13, 1967: The deadline for submitting introduced to the name derby for the Fremont-Newark Junior College arrived yesterday with everything from bridges Indian names and political luminaries in the hat. According to William Collins college administrative assistant 56 suggestions have been turned in for the college your name. The list includes no Salinger or “Catcher in the Rye” but does suggest naming the college of the Mark Twain, the 19th century Salinger. Even a ditch running through one of the sites under consideration for the campus location along with a Calaveras canyon are in the contest. Someone concerned with the eagerness of college students have suggested naming the college “Beaver” for all the eager beavers who will pass through with portals. College students often become possessive over their campus and one student to be suggested re-calling it hours. Others suggested names like “Coast,” “Washington” and “Reagan.” Others thankful for bills providing money for the local college and introduced by Assemblyman Carlos Bee have suggested naming it after him. The Dumbarton Bridge along with the Pacific Ocean will receive their share of consideration when a committee of the board members to be appointed tomorrow begins final name selection. During the last Board meeting trustees received the first idea of naming the college when Mrs. William Prewitt through in an old favorite alone a junior college. She quickly gained support for her ideas from five others who attended the board meeting including trustee Lyle Edmison. Convince trustees will decide to build the college somewhere in the Mission San Jose district some have suggested naming it Mission something or other. Whatever the name turns out to be one thing seem certain. Someone or something famous or near famous will more than likely lend its name even if it turns out to be a famous ditch Hetch Hetchy

Appendix 9 List of 52 suggested college names, June 1967 From College Archives

Appendix 12 Argus Editorial, “No Shabby Tributes� published on July 28, 1968 Ohlone College trustee Joseph McCord has asked for response to his proposal to name the school Kennedy College. We feel confident many will gladly oblige even if this is "Kennedy country." The man and his politics referring to both John and Robert is not the issue here. Unquestionably both were great Americans who totally involved themselves in trying to make this a better place in which to live especially for the less fortunate. McCord's rather dramatic motion, eloquently worded that poorly timed, shouldn't need much more reaction then received from fellow trustees and a handful of responders from the audience. Their answer to a man was an emphatic "No." If you could match the fervent rhetoric James Bray, "I cried when Bobby Kennedy was shot but I don't believe in thinking up graves. And Bob Kennedy had pledged to help some of the injustices to the American Indian. I hardly think he would approve of the shoddy treatment to the Ohlones. There were others with valid points to make among them Mrs. Wilma Pruitt's quotation "a man who was honorable does not need a monument to his name. His ideals will love live on forever." Another point maker was trustee John Castillo's frank admission that he, like McCord, had originally been strongly opposed to the Ohlone name for the school. "But I've learned to like it. It's even a good name. " Anyway Costello added Bobby Kennedy would certainly be alive in our hearts then remembered with his name on a cold stone building. The general feeling of the board about having the sensitive not approached in the first place should've been apparent even to McCord when he was not allowed to place it for discussion until the last possible moment. And even though he tried to prevent any discussion on it at the time there was plenty all of that opposed. And yet McCord insisted as is his right to have a place formally on the agenda for board action sometime in August. The question of a name change for the school at this time is entirely out of order without even considering whose name would be substituted. There is no lack of feeling for the Kennedy name here that is not the question. What is the point is that Ohlone has been operating for a full year with its own name a name the trustees, students and some who opposed it at the beginning have come to more fully appreciate. But there are obviously exceptions to that conversion McCord being one of them. What raises more objections than usual is that it seemingly represents just another effort by McCord to junk the Ohlone name. He candidly admits his inability to adjust to the decision of a majority on this and there is more than a slight hint that McCord has only conveniently adopted the Kennedy issue as a ploy to accomplish his bigger goal of just getting rid of Ohlone. Certainly the senator's memory is worth more than this. McCord would not even promote his motion to be broad and so the question of establishing a scholarship

naming and stocking of a library or some other kind of honorarium which is if honoring the name is really his objective. McCord has asked for response from the public on this matter. We strongly suggest he get it right where he deserves. As Senator Robert Kennedy would be the first to admit this is still a government of, by and for the people even if trustee McCord can't seem to hear the public voice on this issue for us on reverberating echo. So here is a strong response for Ohlone College, a name that guarantees the school distinctiveness and character it deserves.