Boise State students, faculty get to weigh in on renaming Cesar Chavez Lane

Sally Krutzig, The Idaho Statesman on Mar 26, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State University is considering renaming one of its most prominent roadways after allegations surfaced last week about its namesake.

The school sent an email to its faculty, staff and students on Thursday informing them that it was “evaluating a potential rename of West Cesar Chavez Lane” after recent New York Times reporting “raised serious allegations concerning Cesar Chavez.”

Chavez has long been revered for his work as a labor rights organizer who fought for better conditions for farmworkers. But for many, his hero status was shattered when The Times published extensive reporting on March 18 that evidence had surfaced implementing Chavez in a pattern of sexual misconduct with women and girls who were part of his movement.

Since the report, people have begun reconsidering things named after the activist. California lawmakers voted Thursday in favor of changing Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day.

Cesar Chavez Lane, located along the Greenbelt on the Boise State campus, may soon face a similar fate.

“In response to these allegations, university leadership will seek input from the campus community regarding a potential name change for this campus road,” Boise State said in its email. “... In consideration of that history, the university is committed to gathering campus feedback before making any determination on a name change.”

The school said it would begin collecting feedback from faculty and staff through a survey, and input from students through student government.

“Based on this input, university leadership, along with appropriate governing committees, may recommend a new name or determine that additional review is needed,” Boise State said.

If the school decides to pursue a name change, it would have to follow a process required by Boise and Ada County, which the school said could take months.

The school previously went through that process when it renamed Campus Lane to Cesar Chavez Lane in March 2006.

Ro Parker, director of the Student Connections and Support Center, told student newspaper The Arbiter in 2023 that the decision to rename the street in 2006 appeared to be a concession to those upset by the school accepting a Taco Bell sponsorship.

As part of that deal, the school renamed its indoor arena, formerly known as The Pavilion, to Taco Bell Arena. Today, the venue is known as ExtraMile Arena following a new naming rights contract in 2019.

Student groups expressed outrage because, at the time, a nationwide Taco Bell boycott was underway to pressure the restaurant to improve the wages and working conditions of its tomato pickers.

Former Boise State President Bob Kustra told The Arbiter he “wouldn’t doubt” the street name was a way to handle the issue.

Boise State facilities with a Cesar Chavez address include the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, several dorms, an education building, the Albertsons Library and the Bleymaier Football Center.