San Diego Community College District Considers Renaming Cesar Chavez Campus

The board will discuss the move following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:52pm

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The San Diego Community College District's Board of Trustees will consider renaming its Cesar E. Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan following sexual abuse allegations against the deceased labor leader. The 67,924-square-foot campus opened in 2015 and serves thousands of adult education students annually.

Why it matters

The move to potentially rename the campus comes amid growing scrutiny over Cesar Chavez's legacy, with recent reports alleging he sexually assaulted female followers and co-founder Dolores Huerta. The district says it is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment and will prioritize community feedback in its decision.

The details

The SDCCD board meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Cesar E. Chavez Campus to discuss the potential renaming. This follows the San Diego Unified School District taking steps to begin renaming a Southcrest elementary school named after Chavez. The Times story cited interviews with over 60 people, including Chavez's aides, relatives, and former UFW members, detailing allegations of sexual abuse against Chavez.

  • The SDCCD board will meet on Monday, April 6, 2026 to discuss the potential renaming.
  • The New York Times report on the sexual abuse allegations against Chavez was published last month.

The players

San Diego Community College District

The district that oversees the Cesar E. Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan and is considering renaming the facility following sexual abuse allegations against Chavez.

Cesar E. Chavez

The late labor leader whose name is currently on the Barrio Logan campus, but who has been accused of sexually assaulting female followers and co-founder Dolores Huerta.

Dolores Huerta

The 95-year-old co-founder of the United Farm Workers who alleges Chavez raped her in 1966.

Gregory Smith

The chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, who says it is premature to assume any renaming is imminent and the district will engage with community stakeholders.

Tina M. King

The president of the College of Continuing Education, who says the district is committed to a thoughtful, transparent process that reflects the community's voices and values.

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What they’re saying

“For all of us engaged in advancing equity in education, labor advocacy, immigration justice, and basic needs security, your work matters now more than ever. We ask you to remain committed to it. Honor the movement by continuing it and by building it in a way that does not replicate the abuses of power that have caused so much harm.”

— Gregory Smith, SDCCD Chancellor

“With this meeting, we are creating space for our community to be heard. We recognize the significance of this moment and are committed to a thoughtful, transparent process that reflects the voices and values of the community we serve.”

— Tina M. King, College of Continuing Education President

“Unfortunately, he used some of his great leadership to abuse women and children -- it's really awful.”

— Dolores Huerta

What’s next

The SDCCD board will hold a public meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026 to discuss the potential renaming of the Cesar E. Chavez Campus. The district says it will engage with community stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

The takeaway

The allegations against Cesar Chavez have sparked a reckoning over his legacy, with institutions like the SDCCD and SDUSD now considering removing his name from campuses and schools. This reflects a broader societal shift in scrutinizing historical figures accused of abuses, and the difficult balance between honoring their accomplishments and condemning their misdeeds.