A message from CCC President Cook on recent Supreme Court rulings

This week we learned of good news for many of Clackamas Community College’s students and those living and working in our district. 

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, also protects gay and transgender workers. This means employers cannot fire workers for their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is a major and long-awaited win for the LGBTQ+ community and is especially poignant as we celebrate Pride Month this June.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled against the effort to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA is a policy that protects the deportation of people who were brought into the United States as children and do not have citizenship or legal residency status. DACA allows those participating in the program access to many benefits, including higher education. Clackamas Community College has long supported DACA students and is committed to continuing to do so. 

During the challenging times we are in right now, the Supreme Court’s recent rulings give me hope for our country’s future. At Clackamas Community College, we believe every student has the right to achieve their full potential and every employee is valued. We welcome all of you, no matter who you are or where you come from. Your contributions are what make Clackamas a community college. 

These victories do not happen without passionate communities pushing for change. CCC continues its work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and our Board of Education will be passing a resolution at its June 24 meeting condemning violence and racism against Black and African Americans. I ask each of you to also commit to the safety and dignity of each other by contributing to an inclusive environment where we can all work, learn, and thrive. 

For a list of resources for undocumented and DACA students, visit www.clackamas.edu/undocumented, read the Know Your Rights brochure, and review the 2016 CCC Board of Education Right to Learn resolution. 

Dr. Tim Cook
President, Clackamas Community College