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Update on Department of Education’s February 14 “Dear Colleagues” Letter
Many of you have heard about a letter from the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights sent on February 14th colloquially referred to as the “Dear Colleagues” letter. Letters like these from the Department of Education are a common tool used by the executive branch to communicate their interpretation of current law and guidance for aligning educational practices with that interpretation. While “Dear Colleagues” letters may not be new, this one comes amid a push to significantly overhaul the federal government and aggressively attempt to align governmental agencies with the ideologies of the new administration.
The February 14 letter asserts the Department’s general belief that any policies intended to promote racial diversity violate existing federal law. It declares their opinion that a recent Supreme Court decision regarding college admissions processes has many more sweeping policy implications than have previously been interpreted. It also acknowledges that, unlike some of the Executive Orders issued by the administration on related topics, this letter does not change the law or otherwise have the effect of law.
What does this mean for Los Rios immediately? The short answer is: NOTHING. There has been no formal change in policy, and no reason for Los Rios or our colleges to slow or stop any of the critical work that we are doing on behalf of the students we serve. We aren’t removing our important value or mission statements from our websites or college materials, and we aren’t stepping back from our commitment to serving historically underserved communities.
The federal government has promised more detailed information on this topic, and leaders around the nation and here in California have already promised legal challenges if and when these statements of principle move towards policy and/or legal directives. In the meantime, we remain confident that every service and program in our district is unequivocally legal and allowable by all local, state, and federal laws (California’s Prop 209 already prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, and national origin in public education). Along with our colleagues around the state and partners providing legislative and legal analysis, we will continue to track this situation and keep the Los Rios community up to date as appropriate.
We will always seek to keep our community well-informed while maintaining the focus on our work every day in service of students.
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Campus Parking Restriction Notice
Heads up! If you have class on Saturday, March 8, please be aware of parking restrictions due to an on-campus event. Some lots will be closed, so plan your commute accordingly.
✅ Available Parking: West Lot, Lot K, Parking Structure
❌ Closed Lots: B, C, F, G, and North Lot
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Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month, a celebration of women's contributions to history, culture, and society. This is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to US history, and the theme for Women's History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
Join the Los Rios community for a series of events celebrating Women’s History Month throughout March, including:
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Be Part of Celebrate City 2025!
Sacramento City College’s annual open house, Celebrate City, is happening on Thursday, April 17! This is our chance to welcome the community and showcase the incredible programs, departments, and clubs that make SCC shine. We’re inviting faculty, staff, and programs to participate with an engaging demo, an eye-catching display, or an interactive presentation.
This is a fantastic opportunity to share your work, connect with the community, and highlight what SCC has to offer.
Event Details
- Thursday, April 17, 4:00 to 6:30 pm at Sacramento City College
Interested in participating? Submit your form by Thursday, March 27!
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SCC’s Vice President of Student Services Named a 2025 Black Change Maker by SacBee!
Congratulations to Davin Brown, Vice President of Student Services at Sacramento City College, for being recognized as one of The Sacramento Bee’s 2025 Black Change Makers! This prestigious honor celebrates leaders who are making a lasting impact in the community.
From launching Black student success initiatives to overseeing the Panther Cares Center, she is committed to making SCC a more supportive and inclusive place. Her leadership continues to shape SCC’s commitment to student engagement, equity, and community empowerment.
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SCC’s Community Health Program Featured in The Sacramento Bee
Sacramento City College’s Community Health Worker Certificate Program was recently highlighted in The Sacramento Bee for its role in training students to bridge the gap between medical professionals and underserved communities. With demand for community health workers projected to grow 13% over the next decade, SCC’s two-semester certificate program provides real-world experience through practicums, often leading to immediate job opportunities.
Both Health Net and Kaiser Permanente have donated $100,000 to support this program and Sacramento County Department of Health Services is providing scholarships this semester to students while they do their practicums. The intention is to allow students to focus on classwork rather than trying to work enough hours to pay their fees and tuition.
Check out the article from SacBee to hear more from Jennifer Laflam, dean of the West Sacramento Center on what SCC is doing to support students.
Visit SCC’s Community Health Care Worker Program webpage to explore more details. Fall 2025 applications close April 15.
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Sac City’s 200 Years of Fashion Exhibit – Featured in Land Park News!
Step back in time with Sacramento City College’s 200 Years of Fashion Exhibit, opening March 3 at the Joan Didion Learning Resource Center (LRC)! Recently featured in Land Park News, this exhibit will offer a rare look at historic garments from 1770 to 1970, showcasing the evolution of fashion from corsets and crinolines to velvet opera coats and early 20th-century swimsuits.
Curated by Lynne Giovannetti, Chair of Applied Apparel Studies, the collection highlights the artistry and craftsmanship that have shaped fashion over the centuries. Explore The Applied Apparel Studies Program at SCC to learn how we equip students with hands-on experience in fashion and costume design, preparing them for careers in the industry.
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Scholarships Available for Los Rios Students – Help Support Their Success!
Nearly $500,000 in scholarships is available to Los Rios students. Faculty and staff can play a pivotal role in helping students secure funding for their education by encouraging them to apply for these scholarships. Remind students to submit their applications early to allow enough time for a letter of recommendation, which can be provided by you or another faculty member, counselor, or employer.
The deadline to apply is Friday, March 7.
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Help Your Students Get Transfer Ready!
Encourage students to attend a Los Rios Transfer Workshop! These virtual workshops provide crucial support for students navigating the transfer process.
Upcoming Workshops:
Resources for Undocumented Students - Tuesday, March 4, 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Don't miss the opportunity to discover how a UC can support your academic journey and personal success!
#Transfer2UCDavis: College of Biological Sciences - Wednesday, March 5, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Join us for an informative and engaging webinar for prospective Fall 2025/2026 transfer students interested in the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) at UC Davis!
Sac State Criminal Justice Department Presentation - Thursday, March 6, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
The Division of Criminal Justice at CSU Sacramento will present on their program requirements, subprograms, courses, and much more that is available to Sac State Criminal Justice students. This information session will provide info to students starting in the program in Fall 2025.
TAP in a SNAP - Virtual Lab - Thursday, March 6, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Learn how to utilize the UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner) to help you track your progress with admission requirements. Essential knowledge for students looking to TAG!
Transfer to Success: Resources for LGBTQ+ Transfer Students + Student Panel - Thursday, March 6, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Virtual Transfer Admission Presentation - Friday, March 7, 10:00 to 11:00 am
Learn more about UCLA, the admission process for transfer students and ask questions during the webinar. The presentation session is designed primarily for students attending a CA community college. The one-hour session is hosted by a UCLA Undergraduate Admission representative.
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Grad Petition Deadline is March 7
Help remind students completing their associate degree or certificate this semester that they must submit their petition to graduate by Friday, March 7. For more details, encourage students to visit the website or connect with a counselor for guidance.
Stay tuned for more information about Commencement in the coming weeks!
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Zero Textbook Costs – A Great Option for Students
Faculty can help reduce financial burdens for students by offering courses with Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC). When planning for Summer and Fall 2025 courses, please consider adopting ZTC options, which eliminate costs for textbooks and related materials.
Look for the ZTC symbol when browsing course schedules and encourage students to search for these courses in eServices.
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Vocational ESL in Allied Health Training for Students
Help us spread the word about Refugee Career Pathway’s 6-week online Vocational ESL training opportunity designed to support students preparing for courses in the Certified Nursing Assistant program, Medical Terminology, and other Allied Health coursework.
This training helps students build the vocabulary and skills they need to succeed in college-level Allied Health classes. Plus, SETA job developers will provide insight into job and internship opportunities in the medical field. Encourage students to register by March 4!
Next Session Details: Tuesday, March 11 - Tuesday, April 29,
- Tuesdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm - in Person at Ethan Way Center (1410 Ethan Way, Sacramento, CA 95825)
- Thursdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm - Online via Zoom
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Study Abroad in Barcelona – Fall 2025 Opportunity
Encourage students to explore the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain, during Fall 2025. This program offers students a chance to experience over 2,000 years of history, culture, and architecture in one of Europe's most vibrant cities. Virtual informational meetings will be held to learn more about the program:
- Friday, March 7, 12:00 to 1:00 pm
- Friday, March 14, 12:00 to 1:00 pm
For additional questions, contact FLC Professor Philip Angove at angovep@flc.losrios.edu.
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Los Rios’ Chancellor Holds Office Hours on Campus
Chancellor King will be hosting office hours at each Los Rios college. This is an opportunity for faculty, staff, or students to drop in and talk to Chancellor King about any topic(s) important to you or your college in general.
Chancellor King's next Office Hour at SCC will be Monday, March 10 at 3:00 pm in RHS 270
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Panther Pride: Catch Our Teams in Action!
Get ready to cheer for your fellow Panthers as they dominate on the court, mat, and diamond this season! Let's pack the stands and show our Panther spirit!
Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, March 4
🥎Softball vs. Cosumnes River; 3:00 pm
🎾Women's Tennis vs. Modesto, 1:00 pm
⚾Baseball @ Modesto, 2:00 pm - General Admission $8, Seniors/Veterans/Students $5, Children Under 11yrs Free
Visit the Panther Athletics webpage for more information and the full schedule!
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