True meritocracy only exists when everyone has an equal opportunity. DEI doesn’t mean closing doors for some to open them for others—it means opening doors that should have been open all along. It doesn’t mean lowering the bar—it means recognizing that the bar has never been level, and working to fix that.

The administration’s proposed changes to Pell grants aren’t just policy shifts. They are direct threats to students we all know. The student who takes 9 units a semester while working 30 hours a week to support their family? They could lose their grant. The student who took a leave of absence to care for an ill parent, then returned to complete their degree on a part-time schedule? Their aid could disappear.

Raising the Pride flag here at Palomar is a powerful act. It’s a symbol of love, of dignity, and of the right to live openly and authentically.

This flag reflects who we are and who we strive to be as a college community —diverse, courageous, and united in our commitment to justice and inclusion. It’s a reminder that every student, every staff and faculty member, deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are.

"Opponents frame DEI as somehow antithetical to merit. This is a false and dangerous dichotomy. True meritocracy rewards ability and effort. But when systemic barriers deny people access to opportunity based on race, gender, income, or ability, “merit” becomes a rigged concept. DEI initiatives help level the playing field so everyone can compete fairly—and so excellence can actually be recognized, not assumed based on privilege..."