Rashanda Booker, Fresno State’s inaugural university diversity officer, began work on campus in January 2023. Two years later, President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval announced her resignation on Jan. 23.
Booker’s last day of employment is Feb. 3, and shortly thereafter she will be returning to Louisiana.
Three days prior to Booker’s resignation notice, Donald Trump issued an executive order that bans diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, stating that they are “illegal.”
However, Jiménez-Sandoval said that her resignation and the DEI ban are not related.
“It’s not related in the least, and that’s why I keep emphasizing that this is a personal and not a professional decision,” he said. “That’s her prerogative. We celebrate the fact that she came to us and she taught us about equity.”
President Jiménez-Sandoval discussed Booker’s resignation in a Friday in-person interview with The Collegian and explained his reaction to the news.
“It was a surprise. About two weeks ago, she and I had our conversation and she told me that she was going to leave Fresno State and move back to Louisiana for personal reasons,” Jiménez-Sandoval said.
As a result of the situation, questions have arisen concerning the future of DEI at Fresno State and whether or not the university will hire a replacement for Booker.
To this, Jiménez-Sandoval disclosed what that process is currently looking like.
“I have consulted with the cabinet, [and] I have consulted as well with the Cross Cultural and Gender Center,” he said. “I am going to consult the students through ASI, [and] I’m going to consult the three councils. I’m going to consult the faculty through the Academic Senate as well for feedback on [the] next step. I don’t have anybody in mind right now.”
The Collegian reached out to Booker, her executive assistant, Olivia Garett, and her administrative analyst/specialist, Juan Herrera, for comments; all three gave no response.
Additionally, two of her peers, Eric Summers of Southeastern Louisiana State and D’Aungillique Jackson of Faith in the Valley, were contacted.
Jackson and Booker worked closely together until roughly two years ago. Jackson was asked about her knowledge of the situation and its optics, given the rumors connecting her resignation to Trump’s DEI ban.
“I think it’s an unfortunate coincidence and I hope that our campus community and greater Fresno community can recognize it as just that,” Jackson said. “I wholeheartedly believe that this was not a decision in response to a change in our federal administration but a personal choice made by Dr. Booker.”
Summers gave a general statement of support but declined an interview.
“Throughout her career, Dr. Booker has built a strong reputation as a higher education professional,” Summers said. “Therefore, I have no doubt that she has made a meaningful impact on Fresno State. While saying goodbye will be difficult, I am sure that she is looking forward to the exciting new opportunities that await her as she transitions home. Her passion and expertise will continue to shape higher education in meaningful ways, just as they have at Fresno State.”
Also contributing to the discourse is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent proposal of a $375 million cut for the California State University (CSU) that will take effect this year. This leaves Fresno State with a cut of roughly $19 million.
Fresno State’s new budget situation has led some to question the validity of the idea of Fresno State hypothetically hiring a new diversity officer.
Assembly member David Tangipa was quoted in an article by KMPH’s “Waste Watch” that it would be wrong to hire a replacement for Booker because it raises tuition for students and ignores other goals, such as facilitating a “tougher” environment on campus. The commenters under the article agreed.
In response to this view, Jiménez-Sandoval emphasized the importance of having a diversity role model on campus. However, he didn’t explicitly address if he plans to fill the university diversity officer position, either immediately or in the long term.
“I think it’s important to have someone who is telling the campus and has the pulse of the campus and is directing elements that celebrate [diversity] within the American context,” Jiménez-Sandoval said.
On Monday, Feb. 3, a farewell reception will be held for Booker in the Resnick Student Union in Room 105 from 2-3:30 p.m.
