IMPACT ON MILLS COLLEGE STUDENTS MAY EXCEED $33.9 MILLION DOLLARS
Mills College students/alumnae protest CA Attorney General’s refusal to
investigate fraudulent acquisition
June 29th, 2022, Oakland CA - Yesterday, the Save Mills College Coalition met with Attorney General Rob Bonta and his Charitable Trust Division to address the dire impact of the acquisition of Mills College by Northeastern University. The Coalition brought to light the blatant miscarriage of justice that occurred due to the rampant deception and actions of the Mills College President and Trustees. A protest will take place on Mills’ campus June 30th at 5:30pm.
During our meeting with the Attorney General, the Coalition explained how Trustees failed to meet their fiduciary responsibilities as they left hundreds of students in financial distress, with their future plans derailed, and in some cases unable to complete their degrees. The false promises and misinformation by the College have led to a class action lawsuit for breach of contract.
Documents submitted to Attorney General Bonta show that President Beth Hillman and the Board of Trustees knowingly misrepresented Mills’ finances, claiming the College was insolvent in order to justify selling Mills. At the same time, Mills was accepting government funding because of its excellent financial ratings and continued to recruit students.
“Women are losing ground across the country, and women are being pushed out right here in Oakland too, by closing the institution that educates us,” said Cynthia Mahood Levin, President of the Coalition. “Closing a women’s college at the same time women’s rights are being violated by the Supreme Court is shameful.”
“One of the most expensive schools in the country is moving into one of the state’s most underserved communities of color. Instead of educating women, people of color and LGBTQ students like Mills does now, they are being pushed out, their assets taken away, and Mills will be replaced with a token Institute to study how to help women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. It’s total hypocrisy,” said Kieran Turan, Vice President of the Save Mills Coalition.
“The harm of this so-called ‘merger’ goes far beyond the Oakland community, the alumnae, and current students. It is a direct assault on the futures of women and the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Shay Franco-Clausen, current student of Mills College. “Students are being defrauded and we demand to know why our contracts with the school are not being honored.”
We asked the Attorney General to issue injunctive relief and investigate the impact on students, and hold the administration accountable for both the civil and potentially criminal actions. We continue to demand our elected officials stand up for their constituents’ values - protecting women’s rights, the rights of women of color and LGBTQ communities, and their access to education at a women’s college. The Coalition continues to demand that Attorney General Rob Bonta take action to stop this acquisition in order to investigate the irrevocable damage done to students.
Action at Mills Details
Where: Meet at Mills College President’s Field followed by a march to President’s Residence
When: Thursday, June 30, 5:30 pm PST
Who: Current and former students of Mills College and supporting community members
Interviews available upon request
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Media Contact:
Shoshanna Howard
shoshanna@noticedpr.com | 303.968.8710