Joyful Storyteller

Hello Friends! It’s been a long break from the blog. I’ve been busy helping my Mills College Alum community rally for the future of this 170 year old institution. Sadly, in a 16 month period, despite a profitable year, the College was “given” to Northeastern University this past July. The transition has been traumatic and disruptive for everyone in the Mills community. Students have lost their dream school (and a lot of tuition money on majors that no longer exist) and faculty/staff have been laid off after years of loyalty. Alumna, responsible for the 17 decades of education that promoted a safe space of learning for women, LGBTQ students, students of color, 1st generation and returning students, were for the most part ignored. The losses and long term ramifications are numerous. They include: the end of this Historically Women’s College, the end of this Hispanic Serving Institute, the end of Liberal Arts at Mills, the end of the Teaching Credential program that severs an almost 100-year old partnership with the Oakland Public Schools, the end of experimental music, dance, art and creative writers who have breathed life into this grey world as we know it, and so much more.

Despite a no-confidence, majority vote by the faculty, President Beth Hillman continued in her role and completely dismantled the College as she become President of the Mills Institute. In less than one month following the merge finalization, President Hillman resigned.

In partnership with the Oakland City Council who unanimously approved a resolution for an investigation of the merge, we will continue to pursue justice for our students and for its donor base. Learn more about what’s been happening at: www.all4mills.com.

I’m humbled to share my story with the Disorientation Coalition, representing a group of Northeastern University students who are focused on social justice issues. I’m reprinting below. You can also read more about the Coalition at their website.

Being on campus this week for orientation was like being in the “Upside Down.” It was all so familiar, yet not the same anymore. As I drove down the beautiful tree lined road, I found the anger of the last 16 months had been replaced by an overwhelming sense of sorrow and sadness. Mills as I knew it was lost and I was stuck in the Upside Down.

The sadness runs deep. Mostly because we, the alums, never got any answers. We were never really, actually included in the discussion. Instead, thanks to the administration, we found ourselves divided from one another. Oh, they still won’t give us access to the alum database, thereby keeping many alums uninformed. They even told students to not talk to us. When we did connect with students, apparently the alums “were always so demanding / disrespectful when they were on campus”. 

Really? Chocolate chip cookies and conversation was disrespectful? At every weekly visit to campus, I made sure we invited students to join us. One of the very first students we met was the NEU cohort. They were so excited to be in CA and were really looking forward to the semester. They met Mills students and felt a sense of belonging. And, then there was the Townhall. Those very same students they’d met found out their majors were canceled and they had a week to decide on staying at their dream school or to transfer out. Joy at being back in-person, on campus suddenly turned to sorrow. The NEU cohort found themselves consoling their new friends. And, the admin? They provided no emotional support. In fact, they muted the chat and did not address any concerns about the announcement. 

My daughter, Aly, is a high school sophomore. She has been by my side protesting on the County Courthouse steps, protesting at the President’s House, marching with the staff and faculty and so much more. And through it all, she sees the injustice being done to the people of Mills: students, staff, faculty. She sees where voices have been silenced. As a result, surrounded by Mills alums, she experienced some of that “Mills Magic.” Aly found her voice. She’s Ele and takes on the daily Demogorgons without a second thought. 

For Aly’s sake, I keep seeking answers. Maybe someday, she’ll get to dive deeper into what Social Justice means at Mills College. For now, we’ll make sure our students see justice as the civil lawsuit begins (after two postponed hearings by the admin). And, we’ll continue to work in tandem with the City of Oakland’s Council that unanimously passed a resolution to investigate the merge. 

Hope runs deep for me. I do believe in everyday miracles. I participated and witnessed the student strike of 1990 that reversed the Trustees decision to go co-ed. I’ve held my baby boy while cancer brought him to the brink of death. And, I know that we will find justice for Susan and Cyrus Mills. ‘Cause, you know what? This chat will never be muted. 

– Joyce Yee, class of 1990