Dear ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community,
As we approach the Fall Recess, November 27-30, 2025, it’s a great opportunity to share a message of reflection and gratitude with all of you.
The third Thursday and third weekend in November is a time when many of us gather with friends and family to express gratitude for what is good in our lives. It's a tradition that holds significance for numerous families and cultures. But, let us also acknowledge that for some members of our community, the holiday of Thanksgiving may evoke negative emotions or reflect difficult histories.
As we recognize, Cal State University East Bay, located in Hayward, CA, is situated on the ancestral homes of Indigenous peoples including the Muwekma Ohlone, and other Ohlone bands, Confederated Villages of the Lisjan, as well as those unnamed indigenous tribes lost during colonization. As some of us travel during the recess we will be gathering on the lands of other Indigenous communities.
Let us reaffirm our commitment to learning from Indigenous perspectives and reflect on the values of gratitude, unity, and respect for all cultures. Let us continue to learn from one another and uphold the principles of respect, civility, and fairness in everything we do.
In this season of reflection, appreciation, and transition, I am profoundly thankful for the passion, and unwavering commitment that you bring to our university community every day. May this brief respite be a time of warmth, connection, and appreciation for one another and the special communities within which we gather.
Yet, I also know that for some of us holiday gatherings can be difficult as some families may exhibit challenging interpersonal dynamics. Our counseling services has put together a guide for students gathering with family where differences in political opinions may occur.
Above all, thank you. May you have a joyful and peaceful break and return refreshed and renewed for the final stretch of fall semester.
Sincerely,
Cathy Sandeen
President
November 26, 2025