More than a month after private messages surfaced showing College of DuPage Student Trustee Danna Gonzalez using a racial slur, students continue to question what accountability should look like and what comes next for the college’s student trustee. 

While some students have called for Gonzalez to resign, Gonzalez reaffirmed her choice in remaining as student trustee at the June 25 Board of Trustees meeting. She addressed her decision to remain in the role, saying she believes continuing to serve is part of taking responsibility for her actions.

“I want to sincerely apologize to everyone I hurt through my actions. What I did was wrong and unacceptable, and I take full responsibility for it,” Gonzalez said.

After discussing the situation with members of the board and others in the college, Gonzalez said remaining in the position would allow her to demonstrate accountability through her actions.

“Staying is the harder thing to do, but it means I can be accountable to those I hurt and demonstrate through action, not just words, that I genuinely have changed,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said the incident has reshaped the priorities she hopes to pursue during her term.

“My commitment will be demonstrated through sustained action, like continuing my education, actively advocating for underrepresented students, holding myself and others accountable and showing up differently,” Gonzalez said.

The board of trustees also expressed support for Gonzalez during the June 25 Board of Trustees meeting to remain in office. Board Chair Christine Fenne said members believe she has taken responsibility for her actions and should be allowed to continue serving.

“[Gonzalez’s] good work on the board is just beginning as she embarks upon becoming the leader we know she can be,” Fenne said. “The true lesson here is not focusing on the mistake itself, but on how we choose to respond when one occurs. That is where character is built.”

Despite Gonzalez’s decision, some students are still calling for her removal and clearing the path for someone else to represent them.

According to Board Policy 1.04 of the College of DuPage Policy Manual, last updated June 26, 2025, a vacancy in the student trustee position would be filled through appointment by the Student Leadership Council. The policy states that the Student Leadership Council is responsible for selecting a replacement through an appointment process established by council advisors and student leaders.

Although the policy outlines the process for filling a vacancy, it does not establish a process for removing a student trustee. Wendy Parks, vice president of Public Relations, Communications and Marketing at COD, shared a statement on behalf of the college on the removal process of a student trustee.

“There is no College policy or procedure in place for a student’s removal on the Board of Trustees as a student trustee,” Parks said. 

As discussion surrounding the incident has shifted from what happened to what should happen next, some students have continued to voice concerns about accountability. Among them is Jayonna Allen, who said she believes more action is needed. Allen transferred to COD last summer from Columbia College Chicago. Allen said she was drawn to COD because of its welcoming environment and the recommendations of friends. After learning about the controversy, however, she said she felt hurt by both the incident and the response that followed.

Allen said one of her primary concerns was what she sees as a lack of protection for African American students by the college after the incident became public.

“At that moment, I don’t feel like the African American students were protected because [Gonzalez] decided to use that word in a joking manner,” Allen said. “You don’t know if she was thinking that before. You don’t know if this is something new. You don’t know if she was shaming other people that she’s been around with that word.”

According to Allen, other students she has spoken to have expressed frustration with how the situation was handled and feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed. Allen believes Gonzalez should resign.

“If she truly is sorry, then she should go work on herself,” Allen said.

During public comment at the May 14 Board of Trustees meeting, former Student Trustee Isabella “Luna” Escobar addressed the controversy and said Gonzalez’s actions conflicted with the expectations of the student trustee position. Gonzalez was not present at the meeting. 

Escobar said the position requires the student trustee to serve as a reflection of the students they represent.

“I believe it’s a disgrace to be serving in a position that is meant to be the direct reflection of the student body and to display such racist behavior that has hurt the very students she walks amongst,” Escobar said. 

Escobar argued that remaining in the position would further damage student trust.

“To continue to hold such a position is an incredible disappointment to the student body and to myself,” Escobar said. “I will not forget about her behavior.” 

Escobar said she will return during the August Board of Trustees meeting to continue holding Gonzalez accountable. 

Former Civic Engagement Officer of Student Leadership Council Benjamin Lange also addressed Gonzalez during the same public comment session. Although Gonzalez was absent, Lange spoke directly to her and reflected on their time working together in the Student Leadership Council.

Lange described Gonzalez as driven, intelligent and dedicated. He also referenced her campaign message, which centered on advocacy and representing students whose voices are often overlooked.

“You wanted to amplify the voices of students who may often go underrepresented since you know firsthand the dangers and assumptions of prejudice,” Lange said. “You’ve talked time and time again about being a servant leader and how you want to use this role to serve the student populations. I want to remind you about what kind of trustee you want to be and the promise you made to students in this position.”  

While students and former student leaders have publicly called for Gonzalez to resign, not all members of the college community have called for Gonzalez to step down. Recent COD graduate Hannah Campbell spoke at the June 25 Board of Trustees meeting in support of Gonzalez, arguing that the controversy should be viewed as an opportunity for growth.

“What the individual spreading this information and asking for the removal of her from the student trustee failed to understand is that perfection is never a measure of success. Growth is,” Campbell said.

Campbell said she believes Gonzalez will learn from the incident and continue serving students effectively.

“I have no doubt that Danna has and will learn and grow from this situation and will continue to be the kind, intelligent and understanding person she has always been,” Campbell said.

For many students, however, the larger question extends beyond Gonzalez remaining in office. Allen said the controversy has raised concerns about how future incidents involving student leaders should be addressed and whether students will have a voice in those conversations.

 “We are trying to feel safe in where we are learning. We shouldn’t have a person in that position having that kind of mindset,” Allen said.