Note from Director...continued
We experienced our share of challenges as we were displaced from our CLS offices due to mold and poor air quality. It was a time to be creative to ensure that our displacement did not stop our daily functioning nor our ability to connect with members of our academic community. Making the best of the situation, we relocated the program temporarily to the Education Building. Many thanks to the Department of Counseling Psychology who graciously housed us and provided us with resources to keep our office functioning. Also, the Multicultural Student Center provided us with space to hold office hours for certificate advising.
These alternative pathways allowed us the best possible continuity for our program, and we progressed despite our challenges. For instance, the program began the semester with a 5-day film series on immigration, which was sponsored by a grant from the Institute on Race and Ethnicity from UW System. Professors Beltrán and Morales led thoughtful discussions as students learned more about Chican@ and Latin@ immigration experiences. Also, congratulations to Jillian Alpire, who was lead writer of the programming grant.
We also began the semester with a new website with help and support from Eder Valle, a CLS certificate student and web designer. This site include program updates, calendar of events, as well as You-Tube videos from the staff and photo montages of our graduation events. Another exciting semester event was the annual Student Orientation gathering. The event was a tremendous success with students, faculty, and staff enjoying great food from El Pastor, live music and dance by Son Mudanza de Madison, and ongoing discussions of available classes and learning opportunities within the program. The approval of a CLS graduate minor was also a critical academic milestone for the program. The minor will connect graduate students to the program and create broader visibility for the CLS program, as we are the only UW system school to formally offer a minor in Chican@ Latin@ Studies.
After much anticipation, we finally returned to the CLS offices just after the Fall break. It is wonderful to be back in office and to have a place for students to congregate.
As we reflect on the many challenges that have emerged this semester, it is through the exploration and building of new pathways that we continue to succeed. ¡Adelante!
Alberta M. Gloria, Ph.D.
Director, Chican@ Latin@ Studies Program
The @ Symbol
The @ ending ("a" at the center of "o") offers a simultaneous presentation of both the feminine and masculine word endings of Chicana, Chicano, Latina, Latino and allows the reader/speaker to choose the form she or he prefers.
