2646873v8 / Attorney Initials - updated 12/28/2021
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER FIFE AND VICE MAYOR KAPLAN
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE OF
HOLY NAMES UNIVERSITY TO THE OAKLAND COMMUNITY AND
URGING THE UNIVERSITY’S ADMINISTRATION TO WORK
COLLABORATIVELY WITH FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS,
ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RESOLVE
THE ISSUES FACING THE INSTITUTION W ITH THE GOAL AND
INTENTION OF MAINTAINING IT AS AN INDEPENDENT
INSTITUTION
WHEREAS, Holy Names University (HNU), located on Mountain Blvd in Oakland, has been a premier institution for higher learning for over 154 years; and
WHEREAS, since 1868, HNU has been committed to its core values of spiritual and academic cultivation, providing a rigorous yet supportive environment for countless students to thrive; and
WHEREAS, HNU is a life -line for first -generation college students, transfer students and working adults seeking to further their careers and educational goals; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, U.S. News and World Report’s Best College guide ranked Holy Names “in the top 10 for Campus Ethnic Diversity and in the top 20 of the guide’s new Top Performers on Social Mobility category for Regional Universities West;” and
WHEREAS, nearly 79% of HNU’s student body are Black and Brown and many of them are the first in their families to attend college; and
WHEREAS, the education and tutelage pr ovided at HNU is one of a kind —with small classes and supportive faculty, those who have attended the University have gone on to become educators, medical personnel, and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, HNU is currently facing difficult financial issues and in a recent newsletter, the school announced that beginning Fall 2023, HNU will no longer be able to offer an athletics program; and
2 WHEREAS, due to these financial conditions, HNU is grappling with the possibility of a potential closure or a merger with another institution; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that the HNU remain inde pendent to ensure the quality of education, the diversity, and the overall fabric of the university is maintained; and
WHEREAS, in addressing the issues the University faces, it is important that HNU’s administration is openly communicating and collaborating with HNU community to come up with creative solutions that maintain the independence and values of the University ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council recognizes the enormous importance of Holy Names University to the Oakland community; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Council u rges the Holy Names University administration to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, elected officials, and community partners to resolve the issues facing the institution with the goal and intention of maintaining it as an independent institution.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California