Santa Clara University’s Inclusive Excellence Division announced that Office of Accessible Education Director James Marik and Assistant Director Heather Stephan have transitioned out of their leadership roles. The update was released in the latest inclusive excellence newsletter, sent Feb. 6. No successors or interim staff for the vacant positions were acknowledged in the message, nor was a reason given for the dual departure. The newsletter message was the first public alert given to students concerning the transition. “We greatly appreciate their commitment to our students and to the Office of Accessible Education and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” read the email. As of Friday, Feb. 6, students utilizing the OAE have not been contacted about any potential changes to student services or plans for leadership going forward. The OAE provides services such as academic accommodations, event accessibility and disability-related programming for all undergraduate, graduate and law students, per their website. They also provide consultation hours to all faculty seeking assistance on accommodation efforts. Prior to the departures, the OAE was helmed by seven full-time staff members, providing service to over 1000 University students. 📝: @kyliebenn 📷: Dylan Ryu

More than 600 Santa Clara University students gathered at the Bronco statue on Friday afternoon to join a nationwide day of action, marking one of the largest student protests the University has seen in years. The rally called for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from communities, following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. The rally organized by Santa Clara University’s Students for Justice in Palestine was part of a coordinated national protest called “Stand with Minnesota, ICE OUT.” On Jan. 30, hundreds of protests took place across the country including in the Bay Area. Chanting phrases like “Say Their Name,” students marched on campus holding signs reading “ICE Out of Everywhere,” “Justice for Renee Good,” “We are skipping our lessons to teach you one.” When asked the purpose of the protest, organizers framed the rally as an act of solidarity with Minnesota and with immigrant communities nationwide, emphasizing that what happened in Minneapolis could happen anywhere. Caroline Shah ’28 said the inhumane acts of violence happening in Minnesota is what motivated her to attend. “I’m here in wake of everything that’s happened in Minnesota and the world,” she said. "It’s just been so heartbreaking for so many communities and there’s no way that anyone should have to live like this.” 📝: Sophie Ziedalski 📷: @ninaglickphoto & Dylan Ryu