The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Students and Faculty Gather to discuss Latino Studies Program

Students and faculty are calling for the administration to establish a Latino studies program, saying the growing Latino population needs to be reflected through the University's curriculum.

Some in attendance at a brown bag discussion Monday suggested forming a committee to examine whether such a program could be developed.

Rob Perez, a graduate assistant in student development of multicultural programs and services, said the idea for the brown bag discussion came up over the summer during a meeting to discuss the Latino heritage month, which starts Sept. 14 and lasts through Oct. 12.

Perez, along with some faculty members, administration representatives and more than a dozen students attended the meeting to discuss the establishment of a program.

David Werlich, professor Emeritus of history, said SIUC has had a Latin American studies program in the past, but has not had a Latino program. Werlich said Latin American courses were offered in the 1950s, but were flushed out in 1984.

Werlich said that students have been asking for a Latino program for some time and a former committee helped develop a Latino's survey course.

Mike Hernandez, who teaches a survey course on the Latino experience in the United States, said students taking his class want more classes to be offered and wish he could touch deeper on issues brought up in class.

"Latinos were shocked to see this course," said Hernandez, a doctorial student in anthropology. "They want to see something from each department on campus."

Hernandez said that through teaching the class, he has developed a better knowledge of his culture.

"When I got into this, I hadn't realized how much I missed," Hernandez said.

Seymour Bryson, associate chancellor of diversity, attended the discussion and said the University needs courses that reflect its culture. He said students need to take an active role in making change happen.

Jim Allen, a history professor and director of the University core curriculum, said grassroots interests have already been implemented. He said he would like to see both grassroots groups and administration join together to develop a program.

"There's a mismatch between what we teach and what the Latino population feels they need," Allen said.

Allen said the Latino community is not only the most rapid growing population in the United States but also on this campus.

To make a Latino program possible, Allen said the University needs a steering committee to map out a curriculum and to target professors with some sort of expertise in Latino studies.

Marilu Villachica, the president of SIUC's chapter of the Latin American Student Association, said the current classes being offered are very general and cover the same topics.

"One of the most rich things Latino's have is the diversity among them," Villachica said. "That's lost here."

Organizer Perez said he was not expecting the idea of a task force to come up at the meeting. He said he is happy with the support and understanding that came from the community.

"I think it shows that people are ready to have action," Perez said. "Rather than just talking...actually make it happen."

 

 

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