Latino studies minor may not get approval
Mark Milian
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: News
Senior Colleen Esper has all the credits she needs to graduate at the end of this semester with a major in sociology and a minor in U.S. Latina/o studies.
But she may not receive her minor if the university doesn't pass the proposal to officially add it in the next few weeks.
"I've put in the work," Esper said. "It's not like I'm asking for a freebie. I earned my minor."
Esper is one of three seniors who have completed all the courses necessary to graduate with the proposed minor, which has been discussed since fall 2005, said Robb Hernandez, who was involved in writing the minor's initial proposal.
But Elizabeth Loizeaux, the arts and humanities associate dean who is reviewing the proposal, said she doesn't expect the minor will go into effect until next fall.
"This is a very, very careful process," she said. "The time frame really just depends on how busy the faculty members are that are working on it."
The university administration announced last semester that, due to budget constraints, it would not approve any new majors unless the departments could come up with the resources to run them on their own.
But minors require fewer financial resources to manage and less time to pass a major.
"For a minor, it takes a relatively short amount of time to go through," said James Harris, arts and humanities dean. "Normally we respond to large student interest, and I think in this case there is a large interest."
So much interest, in fact, that students and faculty say they're ready to protest if the minor isn't approved.
"If it doesn't happen this semester, there will be a riot," said Evelyn Lopez, a senior criminal justice major who hopes to graduate this summer with a U.S. Latina/o minor. "We have full support from the Latino professors. They're going to be at the frontlines with us."
Espers estimates 250 students, professors and alumni will protest, and Ruth Zambrana, the interim director of the U.S. Latina/o Studies Initiative, said she would join the organized rally.
But she may not receive her minor if the university doesn't pass the proposal to officially add it in the next few weeks.
"I've put in the work," Esper said. "It's not like I'm asking for a freebie. I earned my minor."
Esper is one of three seniors who have completed all the courses necessary to graduate with the proposed minor, which has been discussed since fall 2005, said Robb Hernandez, who was involved in writing the minor's initial proposal.
But Elizabeth Loizeaux, the arts and humanities associate dean who is reviewing the proposal, said she doesn't expect the minor will go into effect until next fall.
"This is a very, very careful process," she said. "The time frame really just depends on how busy the faculty members are that are working on it."
The university administration announced last semester that, due to budget constraints, it would not approve any new majors unless the departments could come up with the resources to run them on their own.
But minors require fewer financial resources to manage and less time to pass a major.
"For a minor, it takes a relatively short amount of time to go through," said James Harris, arts and humanities dean. "Normally we respond to large student interest, and I think in this case there is a large interest."
So much interest, in fact, that students and faculty say they're ready to protest if the minor isn't approved.
"If it doesn't happen this semester, there will be a riot," said Evelyn Lopez, a senior criminal justice major who hopes to graduate this summer with a U.S. Latina/o minor. "We have full support from the Latino professors. They're going to be at the frontlines with us."
Espers estimates 250 students, professors and alumni will protest, and Ruth Zambrana, the interim director of the U.S. Latina/o Studies Initiative, said she would join the organized rally.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
Dan
posted 3/24/08 @ 10:43 AM EST
I definitely would have minored in this had it been available when I was a freshman (or sophomore or junior). It would be ridiculous not to approve this. (Continued…)
Evelyn Lopez
posted 3/24/08 @ 1:53 PM EST
Alumni have expressed the same notion. They too would have wanted to take the minor had it been available.
America for Americans
posted 3/24/08 @ 5:35 PM EST
Latino studies???
What for? To go and turn this country into Mexico??
If you want Mexico, go down there and eat it up! What are ya doin' here?
If y'all are white, you are nuts. (Continued…)
Colleen Esper
posted 3/24/08 @ 9:20 PM EST
Well, as one of the Seniors hoping to graduate in May with this minor, I'm fed-up with the slow response from administration on validating U.S. Latino Studies. (Continued…)
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