Multiple deans to lead CLS program

Contreras is doing a great job!

There still are some CLS students left? loved the all caps btw

Solely my opinions and observations on all of this….

As a Latino student I just hope all these changes lead CLS to incorporate more of its “Latino” component. It has been too Chicano centric up until the recent past and I’d rather just do the Latin American & Caribbean Studies Specialization if this doesn’t change. Being that the L.A.C.S. specialization exists is something I feel gives CLS the opportunity to implement some great U.S. Latino courses, which was one component I expected at the beginning. The main thing that had kept me around was the mentoring program, which unfortunately does not exist this year. Although, the mentoring program itself was Chicano and Mexicano oriented as well, I was hoping to try and change some of that by bringing more Latino students around. Were it not for the mentoring program I do not believe I would be as involved as I am today. The mentors, grad students, and faculty were always very supportive giving me the extra boost I needed to become involved in various organizations. I cannot say the same for all Latinos though.

Many Latinos, both international and domestic have attempted to become involved within the community to only find Mexicano or Chicano centric groups or programming in various places. This leads a lot of them away from things like the mentoring program when they don’t see their cultures or ideas represented in the same way as Chicanos or Mexicanos. I’m not attempting to blame any one person or component, but I feel the CLS mentoring program could have been a place to address those issues within the MSU Latino community. Maybe it can happen on a larger scale under a different department??
It is well understood that it was predominantly Chicano students who fought for the program’s establishment, but by adding Latino to your name it is a claim that you are attempting to serve other Latinos as well. That’s to keep it short since I also have also found it problematic that “Chicano/Latino” as a name gives more emphasis to one component of the group over the whole as well. It should also not be seen as an attack when I question the inclusiveness of “El Plan de Santa Barbara” or any components of Chicano Studies in general as has happened to me in the past. (FYI…this was not on a faculty or grad student level to my knowledge). I was attempting to critically analyze ideas and studies presented to me or that I have read on my spare time whatever the conclusions may be.

Ultimately, it is my hope that all these issues can be resolved so that the CLS mentoring program and offices can be a place where more students can feel included even if they are not chicanos or activists. I hope the classes can grow to offer me MORE on Puerto Rican movements like the Young Lords Party or even the Latin Kings gang at its inception, Cuban exile communities who have been politically active in the US for over a century, and why not include a course on Afro-Latinos whom are often amongst the largely forgotten within our own Latino communities. Again, this is just my opinion and perspective shared by other Latino friends of mine as well. If I can be of any assistance with changing some of these things I’d be more than happy to. Even if it does mean working with Sheila Contreras, who has done many things I personally disagree with. I support RCLS in their efforts to bring about what they feel is necessary, but not in all current demands or tactics to achieve them. Hopefully, a resolution can be found soon so that we can move on to other more important things as a comunidad.

En Soldaridad,
Kacike

P.S.
Sorry about going of on a rant in the middle of all this, but I’m currently working on other projects so no time to double check any of this.

Kacike,

Thank you for your thoughtful post. While I don’t agree with all your points I wouldn’t describe it as a rant. I think you make some valid criticisms.

Good luck with your projects.

to reduce the headace that is caused by this miniscule program why not drop the entire program. then the SN could find something else to write about. the administration would also benefit from fewer useless protests around campus. if you want a mentor then look to one of the many hispanic student groups.

Kacike,
I agree with some of your suggestions, however I want to make clear with you CLS program has not fully develop it Latino Studies section of the program. I agree we need to develop the Latino Studies section but changing the name is not solution. I think one of goals for RCLS is the have a discussion to develop more Latino Studies courses. Also, some of the RCLS faculty and doctoral students could teach these courses. We are not all Mexican and Chicano focus. But you have the understand that we just got our CLS ticket number, therefore we could develop new courses. But with the current CLS leadership there is no way we could develop this Latino Studies section. In addition, please tell the other Latino students that we need to work together to save CLS and to build a space for both Latino and Mexican students. Please join our struggle and we could struggle out our differences but we all need to still together. We need all the help we could it. If you serious about building a Latino Studies section in CLS, join the RCLS struggle. Just some thoughts.

NOW you care about “Latino” that you are running out of Xicano support?

This move by the Provost shows that their is strong support not only for the program, but for Dr. Contreras. Since this is an interdisciplinary program involving more than one college, the move makes sense and, is probably long overdue. In fact, this model is not unheard of interdisciplinary programs in this and other universities.

MbE,

No, you are erecting a strawman and making a false premise.

University Support,

actually no, It could just as easily show that Dean Baba and Contreras have bungled the job of running this program over the last year and a half.

“One of my primary objectives has always been to broaden participation in the Chicano/Latino Studies program, so this seems to me a big move in that direction,” Contreras said.

Win-Win? Contreras was just in Chicago at the start of October…

Open Position Director, Latina and Latino Studies Program, Northwestern University Northwestern University solicits nominations and applications for the position of Director of its newly-established Latina and Latino Studies Program. The director will work with undergraduate and graduate students, oversee the daily administration of the program, coordinate new programming and support faculty development and mentoring. We seek an individual with a nationally recognized profile in the field of Latino Studies to provide leadership in these key areas and whose record of scholarship and teaching will merit appointment in the appropriate disciplinary department in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Applicants should send a cover letter, c.v., and writing sample to Director Search, Latina and Latino Studies Program, 1880 Campus Drive, Kresge 1-435, Evanston, IL 60208. Three letters of reference should be sent directly to the same address. In addition, a pdf file with application materials – excluding the letters of reference – should be emailed to . Review of applications will begin Dec. 1, 2009. AA/EOE. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Further information can be found at www.latinostudies.northwestern.edu. —
Mónica Russel y Rodríguez
Associate Dean of Lecturer Faculty
1918 Sheridan Road, Evanston IL 60208
Weinberg College, Northwestern University

sheila contreras: failed
dean baba: failed
ruben martinez: failed

THAT is why they set up a committee of deans.

Sheila is incompetant…her great mentor ruben martinez is incompetent (so much so that he has to put his name on other people’s work)….and dean baba is incompetent.

Sheila has FPAC that is supposed to be guiding her, and now a committee of deans. How many people is it going to take to help her do her job? If that is not a sign of incompetence, please tell me what is.

Just when I thought we had moved to civil discourse Xicana Soldier has to pull it back into personal attacks.

Xicana Soldier: failed.
You’ve tried for a year to oust the director. Seems like under your definition you have failed too.

If you are upset with MSU, why don’t you transfer to the University of Michigan.
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/ac/latina
No one is holding you captive at MSU! If all the students transferred that would send a signal to the administration.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO VOTE WITH YOUR FEET. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AT UM!

Interesting thought Transfer. That is a way to make a statement about a program and may be the right solution for some. Some things to consider if you want to transfer:
1) Do they have your major?
2) Will you get accepted to the school and the major?
3) How many MSU credits would transfer?
4) How will this affect any student aid you have?
5) U of M’s minority enrollment is down. See http://www.detnews.com/article/20091013/SCHOOLS/910130385/1026/U-M-reports-record-enrollment—but-minorities-decline

Transfer,

See my post above. There is a job opening for Contreras at Northwestern. The area has a large and diverse Latino population. There are a multitude of prestigious universities in the greater metropolitan area for her husband to seek employment at should such a move prove enticing. As a self described leading Chican@ activist she shouldn’t limit herself to the small pond at MSU. She has options.