Protect the Spanish B.A. at CSUEB

We, the undersigned, call upon the Office of the President and university leadership to preserve and strengthen the Spanish B.A. program at Cal State East Bay. The planned elimination of the Spanish B.A. in Spring 2027 makes CSUEB the only CSU campus to eliminate a stand-alone Spanish degree program, even as statewide and regional demand for Spanish proficiency and enrollment continue to rise. Spanish is the only degree program being cut amid numerous concentrations, making the program unfairly and disproportionately targeted. Eliminating the Spanish B.A. targets a community already marginalized by race and language access. This action also undermines CSU East Bay’s stated commitments to academic freedom, equity, and inclusion, at a time when Spanish is central to the education, workforce, and community mission of the CSU.

Background

CSU East Bay has been designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) since Fall 2015, and as of 2024-2025 40% of undergraduate and 19% of graduate students identify as Latinx. In 2024, the campus received the Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latinx students, one of only 46 institutions nationwide.. However, despite this recognition:

• Spanish B.A. is the only full degree program slated for elimination, all other cuts only affect concentrations. In the current political climate, cutting the only degree tied to the university’s largest student demographic is deeply troubling.

• Enrollment in the Spanish B.A. is growing, not declining. According to Bay Advisor, the Spanish B.A. now has 33 declared majors, up from 15 in prior years, nearly doubling its size. This evidence contradicts the rationale for closure.

Table Source: Bay Advisor & Spanish Annual Report 2025

• Equity implications. The elimination disproportionately impacts Latinx, heritage, bilingual, and first-generation students. For these students, the Spanish B.A. provides access to higher education and also pathways to professionally recognized bilingual skills in high demand across education, healthcare, law, and public service.

• Integration with Teacher Education. The Spanish program maintains strong partnerships with Teacher Education and Liberal Studies, preparing urgently needed bilingual and culturally responsive teachers across California.

• No demonstrable fiscal benefit. Campus administration has not provided evidence of financial savings or a cost-benefit analysis justifying the program’s elimination. 

What We’re Asking For

We are committed to protecting the Spanish B.A. program at CSU East Bay and ensuring that our university upholds its mission and obligations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). We call on President Sandeen, CSU East Bay leadership, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, and the Board of Trustees to:

1. Retain the Spanish B.A. program at CSU East Bay, as an essential component of the university’s mission, recognizing its vital role in advancing linguistic justice, cultural representation, and service to the region’s multilingual landscape.

2. Prior to eliminating programs, administrators collaborate with department faculty to establish transparent, data-driven metrics and clear timelines for program evaluation to demonstrate continued improvement. 

3. Formally recognize the Spanish program’s integration with Teacher Education as a model for career-connected, equity-driven learning.

4. CSUEB leadership provide full transparency on how the university will meet its HSI and equity commitments if foundational programs like the Spanish B.A. are dismantled.

Where This Petition Will Go

This petition will be delivered to: CSUEB Office of the President, CSUEB Academic Affairs, CSUEB Faculty Senate, CSU Office of the Chancellor, CSU Board of Trustees, and California state legislators representing our region.

References

Cal State East Bay earned the Seal of Excelencia, signaling its exceptional, evidence-based support for Latinx student success:  California State University, East Bay+12California State University, East Bay+12California State University, East Bay+12.

The university’s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is backed by a consistently growing Latinx undergraduate population—from 17.5% in 2010 to over 41% in 2023: California State University, East Bay+3California State University, East Bay+3Excelencia Education+3.

According to Bay Advisor-utilized data, the Spanish B.A. has significantly increased declared majors majors compared to prior years: California State University, East Bay+5California State University, East Bay+5California State University, East Bay+5