CSULB Undergrad Who Ran For ASI President Advocating Change "49'ers" and "Prospector Pete" Symbols ("Offensive to Many Students And Don't Make Sense") To Honor Indigenous Tongva Tribe Doesn't Make Runoff

(Mar. 24, 2012) -- The CSULB undergrad who ran for Associated Students president on a platform that included changing the school's "49ers" and "Prospector Pete" mascot and symbols ("considered offensive to many students") to honor the indigenous Tongva tribe that once lived here, failed to make it in to a runoff for the position.

Elizabeth Gamboa wasn't among the two finalists. Ms. Gamboa favored changing the school's name to "Long Beach State University," its 49'ers name to "Long Beach State University Tongva rebels" and its mascot from "Prospector Pete" to "Toypurina," a woman who lead a Tongva rebellion in the 1800’s.

[We'd like to report the vote tally but it's invisible on ASI's website (which simply lists the names of two finalists) [comment: don't give LB City Hall that idea.]

In a pre-election release, Ms. Gamboa had said in pertinent part:

...Prospector Pete and the 49ers are considered offensive to many students given the connection between, 49ers, the gold rush, and Tongva Natives. For those who do not know the Tongva Tribe lived on CSULB before CSULB even existed! Having 49ers represent the home of this native tribe is offensive and does not make sense. Native Americans in general have had to go through so much hardship due to the gold rush and have more or less become border line extinct due to it. My proposal includes renaming CSULB to Long Beach State University Tongva Rebels. The mascot would be the female, Toypurina who lead a Tongva rebellion in the 1800’s...

[In Q & A section].

Q. What is wrong with our current name?
A. Prospector Pete represents the 49ers of the 1849 gold rush. Many find this to be offense and insensitive considering how the Indians lost their land and lives to "49ers"

Q. What are the potential benefits associated with this name?
A. The proposed new name Long Beach State University, could help the university more clearly communicate its full reach, commitment, and mission, thus presenting a far more accurate first impression. This institution is a major regional university with deep connections to the lives and economies of Long Beach and the greater Los Angeles area.

Our current name depicts us a basic cookie cutter CSU campus- not a major university with big time state, national, and global impact. Unfortunately perception is reality. Consequently with a name change, we can begin to attract even better students to the university...

Ms. Gamboa's publicly available Facebook page indicates she's a 2011 LBCC graduate and is a History major in CSULB's 2013 class.