PCSVFC Transcripts · Preserving Chico State Voices for Change

Title: Chris Sullivan (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Chris Sullivan, the current President of Associated Student Government and Chico State Graduate student in his 7th year. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for hange Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding his time spent as student and President at Chico State and document some of his journey and activism on campus. Specifically, this interview provides insight into Sullivan’s background, transition into Presidency, some of the duties and responsibilities associated with being President, and his personal perspective on Social Activism and its impact on Chico State.
The goal of this interview was to gain more insight into Sullivan’s perspective and hear his story. The interview opens with some simpler biographical questions. Sullivan was initially asked about where he moved to Chico from and how that influenced his decision to apply to Chico State. Sullivan was also asked about his current Graduate major and what he studied as an undergrad, as well as what influenced him to first join Associated Students. To gain more of an understanding of Sullivan’s transition into presidency, he was asked questions such as what roles he had in AS before becoming president, and what his responsibilities were within those roles. Sullivan provided detail about his duties as president, as well as activities he has participated in and why they were important to him.
As a First-Generation college student, Sullivan described his passion for helping other students transition and receive resources they might need at Chico State. In an attempt to explore his presidency further, Sullivan was asked about the successes and challenges he has faced in his presidency, and some of the goals he has for the remainder of his time in office. The interview finished by asking Sullivan what kind of progress he thinks still needs to be made with Social Justice and activism at Chico State as well as what kinds of progress has already been made. Ultimately the intention in obtaining Sullivan’s oral history was to archive an oral history from someone who has been very active on the Chico State campus and who has seen firsthand what progress has been made recently. As Sullivan is also a first-generation student, we were able to gain some of his perspective into the progress of first-generation representation and support on campus.
Interviewee: Chris Sullivan
Date Created: October 24, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 163 KB

Media: Sullivan_Chris_Finalized Transcription .pdf

Title: Cecilia Santillan-Robles and Diana Parra-Villasenor (transcript)
Description: This oral history interview with Cecilia Santillán-Robles and Diana Parra-Villaseñor, conducted on October 28, 2024, at California State University, Chico, explores their experiences as first-generation Latina college students and their pivotal roles in founding the multicultural sorority Sigma Omega Phi. They discuss their motivations for establishing the organization, the challenges they faced in its early years, and its lasting impact on fostering sisterhood, leadership, and community service. Now administrators at Chico State, they reflect on their continued mentorship of students and the sorority’s ongoing commitment to diversity, education, and social activism.
Interviewee: Cecilia Santillan-Robles and Diana Parra-Villasenor
Date Created: October 28, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 195 KB

Media: Santillan-Robles and Parra-Villasenor transcript.pdf

Title: Yazmin Rubio (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Yazmin Rubio, a fourth year student in Chico State University, she works for El Centro and goes into detail on her experiences at Chico. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change, Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. This interview is to gather information and let Rubio express her feelings and memories as her time spent as a still ongoing student but now a current fourth year and staff at Chico State. The interview entails Rubio talking about her journey in school, her hardships, how she was able to manage. Talking
about her homesickness in her beginning years, how she managed to come back from it. Rubio talks about her work experience in Chico State University, in REACH teaching her how to work on her mentorship, making her grow in her own growth as a person and connect to people.
Rubio goes into detail about El Centro, saying what it is, how her experience has been working there, resources there is in El Centro, what the main join of El Centro is, who it helps, how she views the organization, and how it has helped her with her homesickness. Rubio emphasizes how El Centro aims to help coming students that are Latine but also other students that would benefit from the resources they give out. Rubio details how friends have helped her in her tough moments but how aspects of her culture have helped her prevail.
Dia de Los Muertos is heavily talked about, Rubio explains the importance it is in not only her culture but most importantly herself and how she takes it to heart. Rubio educates us about the background, characteristics, and feelings towards it. Rubio talks about how this holiday is connected to her job in El Centro, what she has done for El Centro, by wanting to educate people but also build community. Community is heavily valued for Rubio and she talks about how she can and will help new comers to have a sense of community and a friend to have when they feel scared or shy to talk.
Interviewee: Yazmin Rubio
Date Created: November 4, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 189 KB

Media: Rubio_Yazmin_Transcription .pdf

Title: Annika Olsen (transcript)
Description: This oral history interview with Annika Olsen, a political science major at Sacramento State, provides an account of her political involvement on and off campus. Olsen has been campaign manager for Smud Board, an intern at the California capitol with Assembly Member Ward, NWPC endorsement chair, and more. The interview also describes Olsen’s experience creating and passing bill AB2005, which is an expansion of low income tax credits to CSU’s, intended to address housing needs for low income CSU faculty. The bill received a vote from a Republican in the Senate, which means that a Republican supported the bill against the recommendation of the Republican caucus. Olsen emphasizes that this means her bill fared well in comparison to others which were heavily criticized. This is one of Olsen’s many accomplishments throughout her time in politics. When asked about lessons learned, she explains why she prefers legislation work over campaign work, as she feels the former is better suited to her personality. She also feels empowered by the opportunity to create tangible solutions to real life problems through legislature. Olsen hopes that lessened financial burden due to passing bill AB2005 will incentivize more people with diverse backgrounds to work within the CSU system. Approximately 9,000 staff members are eligible for homes under AB2005! We discussed the importance of diversity everywhere- in politics and in the CSU system. Olsen was vulnerable about the difficulties of time management while working in politics and being a full time student, sharing that she would often change in her car to go from campus to the capitol building. Despite the challenges she faces as a queer woman in politics, Olsen intends to continue working and going to school. She has developed a passion for making a difference, and has become especially interested in foster care issues. When asked for the simplest first steps to becoming politically active, she said that gaining a better understanding of the world around us is a good first goal. She also advocates for consistently voting down the ballot and volunteering for a campaign, regardless of party! Olsen aspires to become an attorney in the future and hopes to continue inspiring others to become politically active.
Interviewee: Annika Olsen
Date Created: October 28, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 162 KB

Media: Olsen_Transcript.pdf

Title: Jason Nice (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Jason Nice, the Chico State General Education Honors Program director, author, and curriculum activist. This was conducted for Preserving Chico State Voices for Change; an oral history project for California State University, Chico. This interview was conducted to collect information about curriculum changes geared toward including ethnic studies and understanding the importance of it. This interview was conducted in order to complete our semester-long project in our Honors Ethnic Studies (HNRS 300) course. This interview includes information about how Dr. Jason Nice has advocated for an ethnic-based curriculum and includes it in higher education as well as looks into the past of general education.
This discussion delved into the great importance of general education throughout higher education and why it is so important to learn and be taught about ethnic studies. Dr. Nice explained how general education brings students together and helps us to understand each other’s differences. In doing this, he tied in history relating to different college campuses and how their implementations of ethnic-based curriculum has helped to widen the open-mindedness of students across the nation. One prime example he described was the founding of the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University in 1969, which is the same college that his daughter currently attends. When asked if he believes Chico State is heading in the same direction, he explained how we have made great progress by establishing a multicultural and gender studies major that collaborates with the Honors program. He is hopeful that aspects of ethnic studies can be included in every area of general education as well as having their own courses and possibly their own college in the future.
It also includes information about Dr. Nice’s experience abroad and his knowledge of higher education in Europe. It includes the differences between Universities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Along with this information, we discussed the novel that he is currently working on writing about the journey of the curriculum throughout the years, starting in the Renaissance. We discuss how it is about the continuing fight for an ethnic-based curriculum.
Interviewee: Jason Nice
Date Created: November 1, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 717 MB

Media: Nice_Jason_Transcription.pdf

Title: Cole Morales (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Cole Morales, Chico State Enterprises at Chico State’s Tribal Relations who resides in Chico, California. This interview was conducted for HNRS 300 Ethnic Studies Methodologies Oral History project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of this interview was to gather information on the current relationship between the university and the local Mechoopda tribe. This interview details the origins of Tribal Relations on Chico State campus and what the program does to lend aid to the local Native community. The Mechoopda have generations of history within Chico and Morales entails what has been done between the University and Tribal Relations to maintain their relationship. Morales details the progress of giving land back to the Mechoopda, how this has affected the University’s policy, and how the community has transformed from its beginnings in the 1950’s. Due to the lack of representation and resources on campus, students who formed a Native American Club began to push for a larger scale program to house these needs. This interview describes the push that led to the formation of Tribal Relations and its contributions such as becoming much more involved in gathering a community that was pushed away in Chico’s past. Furthermore, the Mechoopda’s involvement within campus such as granting land to be disturbed and offering blessings to these sites. This was seen most recently with Chico State’s newest College of Behavioral and Social Sciences building; before any plans could be made, the University first had to get permission from the Tribe’s council to uproot the ground and proceed with construction. Once the building was completed, the Council was also present to bless the site. Not only does Morales cover the University’s relationship with the Mechoopda, but he also describes the relationship with the community and how the program has helped form a larger group of people. Many times throughout the year, local tribes and Native peoples gather at Big Time. A California Big Time is a social gathering and celebration amongst California Native Tribes. It is an opportunity to share cultural heritage through demonstration dances, storytelling, games, food and other cultural practices. Big Times are often rooted in tradition, but inclusive community events to foster intertribal connection and cultural exchange. The community has become closely knit and has been steadily growing since the formation of Tribal Relations and their determination for representation. Throughout campus, there are also murals and exhibits that remind students that the Mechoopda have generational ties to the land and their presence within the community is prioritized to the University.
Interviewee: Cole Morales
Date Created: November 14, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 148 KB

Media: Morales Transcript.pdf

Title: Alma Karina Miranda-Rodriguez (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Alma Karina Miranda-Rodriguez, a student and current cultural program coordinator at Chico State’s Latinx Resource Center, El Centro. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding Alma’s experiences and outlook on being a student at Chico State during the last four years and working for the newly formed Latinx Resource Center, El Centro, which is an extension of Chico State’s Cross-Cultural Leadership Center.
Specifically this interview details Alma’s experiences as a queer, Chicana woman growing up in a majority white community at Chico and how her household was impacted by familial variations of citizenry status. Furthermore, this interview delves into Alma’s educational background and how she truly believes the input and encouragement of her teachers, both in lower and higher education, shaped her decisions at Chico State and changed her world view. According to Alma, her education has promoted her to question and challenge the social norms and traditions she interacts with on a daily basis.
Moving into conversation about El Centro, this interview then covers how Alma got involved with El Centro, what her job entails within the center, and what types of resources and services they provide the local student body. Additionally, Alma outlines the different organizations that El Centro works with, its decision to use Spanish in many of its advertisements, and some of the underpinnings of Chico State’s Cross-Cultural Leadership Center.
The final element of this interview covers what Alma thought about the future of El Centro, which she admitted to not knowing much about since there is so much work still to be done. Lastly, Alma highlights the significance of representation and participation in higher education for members of historically marginalized groups, and reiterates how much of an achievement it is for members of these communities to take up space within higher education as a whole.
Interviewee: Alma Karina Miranda-Rodriguez
Date Created: October 31, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 158 KB

Media: Miranda-Rodriguez Transcript.pdf

Title: Sara Meadors (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Sara Meadors, a sorority member of Sigma Kappa, at California State University, Chico. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding her time as a Chico State student during the 2010s. Sara is currently a second-year student at Chico State, working towards earning her bachelor’s in public health. Specifically, this interview details an event, Walk to End Alzheimer's, assisted by the sorority Sigma Kappa, as it is one of the main five philanthropies they support each year. This interview walks us through Sara Meadors past experiences that led her to pursue a career in public health. It introduces a significant walk done by her sorority that is put together to spread awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to the community. She tells us about her time setting up this event and why she chose to participate in this walk. The Walk to End Alzheimer's is an annual nationwide event to raise awareness and donations towards Alzheimer's care, support, and research. In Chico, the community gathers with Sigma Kappa in purple to support the cause. Friends and families come together to share meaningful speeches, enjoy music, explore fun booths, and celebrate with flowers in various colors, each symbolizing how Alzheimer's has impacted their lives.
Interviewee: Sara Meadors
Date Created: November 5, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 109 KB

Media: Finalized Transcript - Sara Meadors.pdf

Title: Aishwarya Gowda (transcript)
Description: This interview with Aishwarya Gowda, Aishu for short, examines community activism on campus at Chico State University. More specifically, this interview delves into how Aishu uses her position as the Director of Social Justice and Equity for the Associated Students’ Government Affairs for promoting and advocating for justice. Additionally, she discusses her background and how that plays an important role in who she is today, as well as how she advocates for change. Starting with brief background questions we got a better understanding of who Aishu is, what is most important to her, and her values in life. For example, she discussed growing up with a single mother who instilled her with the mindset of fighting for what you believe in and standing up for yourself rather than running away from conflict. This impacted how she advocates for herself and others. Delving into more specific questions about social change and her role on campus, we gained more perspective on how she uses her role to promote change. She wants to use her role to influence others to not be afraid to express their culture. Growing up struggling with speaking English and seeing first hand the discrimination not only international students faced, but other students as well, she wanted to make a change and fight for justice. During this interview we were able to gain a better understanding of what it means to be an activist as well as specifically what Aishu does to promote social change at Chico State.
Interviewee: Aishwarya Gowda
Date Created: November 15, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 133 KB

Media: Interview Transcript_Gowda_Aishwarya.pdf

Title: Jasmine Gonzalez (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Jasmine Gonzalez, a member of the Chico State Orientation team and resident of Willows. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of the interview was to gather information regarding her time spent as the student coordinator of the orientation team for around the last 2 years in her total of 3 years at Chico State University.
The interview begins with some personal stories that Jasmine shares with us that include her roots in Willows, along with some of the things that influenced her to go to Chico State. As the conversation progresses, Jasmine delves into her work as a member of the orientation team and more specifically the student coordinator. We get to hear about the importance of the program and hear how it has built community and an inclusive environment on campus. She also shares with us some of the stories and interactions that she found rewarding along the way along with the recounting of some moments when she was able to see new students go from feelings nervous and uncertain of the new environment they found themselves in to building connections with some of her peers.
The interview concludes with Jasmine’s reflections on the evolution of the Student Orientation and Transition program with a focus on inclusivity and the broadening of student resources. She speaks about how the program must be developed in order to adapt to the diverse needs of incoming students, and how we can foster an environment that is welcoming to the new students and connect them to other people that they are able to relate to. Her final thoughts are that everyone needs to be able to feel included and that the ability of all students to be felt as such is instrumental in ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, feels as comfortable as they can going into Chico State.
Interviewee: Jasmine Gonzalez
Date Created: November 4, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 173 KB

Media: Gonzalez_Transcript.pdf

Title: Carmen Gomez (transcript)
Description: Carmen Gomez serves as the production manager for the School of the Arts of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, a position she has held since January of 2017. Her job entails the management and coordination of about 150 events every year. Some of her responsibilities can include overseeing her 30+ student employees, working with producers, planning timelines and staffing, she plays a major role despite it being behind the scenes. In her work, Gomez also facilitates multiple on-campus events including diversity-based graduation ceremonies.
In this interview, Gomez touched on her childhood in Texas, and how the start of her academic career in music ultimately led to a career in theatre arts. Despite the fact that most people in a similar field prefer the glitz and glamour of being on stage, Gomez found productivity and joy in the work done behind the scenes. She quickly understood a love in the lighting and scenic aspects of the theatre. This led her to pursue a career in technical theatre, also earning a master’s degree. The work done ultimately led her to multiple different roles including teaching in Florida and working in Washington D.C.
In speaking on social justice and equity, Gomez shared stories of how she has been impacted by the many lives of the students she works with and how all of their stories have grown to be a part of her story. She expresses that the standards of social justice and equity in theatre have improved but still have room to grow and change. One thought she made was to encourage those in management in the theatre to not back away from doing shows that focus on more difficult themes, but rather opening the circle to include those who can adequately tell the story and grow from it as a company.
Gomez continues to inspire others and expresses her full spirit in this interview with all components that make up her personality. She expresses the sass that most Chico State students have come to know her for and tells her story candidly and honestly; which is sure to inspire all in the theatre industry and Chico State.
Interviewee: Carmen Gomez
Date Created: October 24, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 169 KB

Media: Gomez_Carmen_ Transcript.pdf

Title: Susan Frawley (transcript)
Description: This oral history is an interview collected for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change Project with Susan Frawley. Susan Frawley is a professor of LGBTQ+ history in the Multicultural and Gender Studies Department at California State University, Chico. She also is a longtime member of the queer community and volunteers with both the Gender and Sexuality Equity Coalition (GSEC) and Pride Club on campus.
In this interview there are many different topics addressed including what the GSEC is and what services it provides, the history of LGBTQ+ and women's rights activism on campus, the 2024 election, and the relationship between the activism on campus and the surrounding community.
The interview goes in depth on the relationship between the university and the community, especially on how the more conservative beliefs in the surrounding area have affected the ability of GSEC to be active in the community. Frawley also talks about the history of GSEC at Chico State from its humble beginnings as a Women's Center, to its most prevalent in the early 2000’s with its numerous events, to where it is at now and where it stands today and moving forward. The Penis Registry put on by GSEC, then known as the Women's Center, was a topic that some time was spent on as well and how it may have affected the campus-wide acceptance of the work that the Women's Center was doing at the time.
The past is not the only thing talked about though, the 2024 landmark election is also addressed frequently, and what its possible effects are for the queer community and women in the future. Over the course of the interview there are lots of meaningful anecdotes both about GSEC but also Susan Frawley’s personal life, with many messages of hope, resilience, strength, and community. Everything about the experience of being queer over so many turbulent times including the saddening AIDS epidemic, the fight for marriage and social equality in the 2000s-2010s, and now our present day issues. Ending with messages of optimism and hope for the future for women and the LGBTQ+ community alike, as well as how we can change for the better, youth activism is emphasized as an important step moving forward. This oral history is a gathering of a very impactful voice on our campus and provides such a look into activism on campus.
Interviewee: Susan Frawley
Date Created: October 24, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 414 KB

Media: Frawley_Susan_Transcript.pdf

Title: Eric Bartelink (transcript)
Description: This oral history interview with Dr. Eric Bartelink, a distinguished board-certified forensic anthropologist and Co-Director of the Human Identification Lab at Chico State, was conducted was part of the "Oral History Project: Preserving Chico State Voices for Change." Dr. Bartelink holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a Minor in History from Central Michigan University, a Master's degree from Chico State, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. The interview documents Dr. Bartelink's academic background and history prior to his tenure at Chico State, his experiences during his initial years at the institution, and his current roles and responsibilities both on and off campus. It provides an in-depth examination of Dr. Bartelink's academic journey, the factors that influenced his decision to join Chico State, and his contributions to the campus and broader community.Significant projects highlighted in this interview include identifying remains from the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks, working with the United Nations Forensics team in Bosnia to exhume mass graves of genocide victims, conducting excavations in Maui, and his extensive research and publications. As Co-Director of the Human Identification Lab, Dr. Bartelink oversees the lab's materials, casework, and internships with graduate and undergraduate students. He plays a crucial role in identifying whether bones are human or non-human. The primary objective of the lab is to offer services that assist law enforcement and other legal entities in the identification of human remains. Additionally, the lab provides information to law enforcement to aid in their casework, ultimately helping families gain closure by determining what happened to their loved ones. Due to the high volume of casework, the lab has secured funding to expand to a new building. This expansion will include multiple labs for DNA analysis, stable isotopes, zooarchaeology, human identification and recovery, training, and more, with the goal of establishing forensic anthropology as a major or minor academic discipline at Chico State. Dr. Bartelink envisions the Human Identification Lab evolving into an accredited crime lab, bringing in more research opportunities, aiding various agencies, and advancing the field to better assist law enforcement and the local community.
Interviewee: Eric Bartelink
Date Created: October 24, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 158 KB

Media: Bartelink_Eric_Transcript_final.pdf

Title: Jamile A. Balli (transcript)
Description: An oral history with Jamile Balli, a cultural center program coordinator at California State
University Chico and a resident of Butte County. This interview was conducted for the Preserving Chico State Voices for Change Oral History Project for California State University, Chico. The purpose of this interview was to gather information regarding her professional life at
Chico State between the early 2010’s to the present as it pertains to student activism.
Specifically, this interview details Jamile’s background growing up in Merced, her college career at California State University Stanislaus, and her first university job at UC Merced working at an outreach center. The interview then shifted to Jamile’s different roles she has fulfilled over her 15-year tenure at California State University Chico. From 8 years working in the admissions office to provide students the push to go off to college when they did not have that voice telling them that growing up, to 4 years working in the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center and talking about the social impact the Cross Cultural Leadership Center had, to her transition to becoming the program coordinator of a Latinx community space on Chico State campus called El Centro in 2024 and the differences between the two spaces. Jamile talked about the role the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center played on Chico State campus in the time leading up to and after the 2020 Presidential Election, mentioning a specific instance where a polarizing speaker was invited on campus by a conservative club that caused an outrage on campus and the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center was called to intervene and defuse the situation. Jamile talked about the roles of leadership students can take in the Cross Cultural Leadership Center and El Centro to get involved in student activism and make a difference and the ways that the two centers make a difference with student activism. And finally, Jamile talked about the biggest constraints that El Centro has encountered being budget and lack of employees and how they are subverting those constraints to continue to further its goals and has outlined the future goals the program has.
Interviewee: Jamile A. Balli
Date Created: October 29, 2024
Document Format: pdf
File size: 212 KB

Media: Balli_Finalized Transcript.pdf

Title: Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins (transcript)
Interviewee: Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins
Date Created: October 24, 2024
Document Format: PDF
File size: 144 KB

Media: Alaniz-Wiggins_Finalized Transcript.pdf