Some UNM Chicano students claim that the University isn't listening to their input on the search for a new director of the Chicano/a Studies Program -- a concern that led to a heated meeting between students and officials Thursday.
The students, along with several members of the Chicano community, met Thursday and expressed their concerns to numerous University officials.
The group is concerned with what it says is a lack of student input in the search process; an unfair tenure requirement for the new director; and a need for greater emphasis on the Chicano/a Studies program.
"We're limited to one person," said Eva Del Rio, one of the students who met with the members of a steering committee charged with forming a search committee to locate the new director.
"Dorothy Baca is not the candidate most qualified for the position," Del Rio said.
The problem is that Baca, head of Design for Performance in the Theatre and Dance Department, is the only candidate who applied.
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Students contend that only one person applied because the search to find a new director was only open to UNM faculty, and that due to a tenure requirement in the position's criteria, professors who could make good directors can't apply.
No tenured faculty members are in the Chicano/a Studies Program.
The search for the new director began after Eduardo Hern†ndez Ch†vez announced his retirement late last semester.
In April of 2002, Peter White, dean of the University College, sent out a letter asking tenure-track faculty members to join a steering committee to address the needs of the Chicano/a Studies Program.
He added that it was his decision, which he discussed with the steering committee, to require the new director to be a faculty member on the tenure track.
White said it is important for the director to work as an equal with other tenure-track faculty, something that may not be possible with an associate or assistant professor.
Concerned students met at the Chicano/a Studies Program's offices Thursday, to make sure their concerns would be heard by the steering committee.
Once the meeting opened to the public, the coalition of about 20 members filed into the room at the back of the program's offices. Carrying a letter listing the group's concerns, requests and questions, students began lobbing questions at the committee.
Shortly after the meeting became open to the public, the discussion dissolved into a yelling match that came to a climax when Ch†vez ordered the Daily Lobo reporter covering the meeting to leave. The reporter refused, citing his right to attend an open meeting and Ch†vez walked out.
After Ch†vez left, members of the steering committee, including Teresa Marquez, the chairwoman, advised the coalition to take its case to White.
The students say their input is not being heard because the spot on the steering committee that is supposed to be reserved for an undergraduate student is vacant.
Additionally, some students are concerned that the committee, which only has two of its 14 seat reserved for students, overwhelmingly represents the faculty.
In an attempt to make their voices heard, the students and community members marched to White's office in the Student Services Center to petition their concerns.
About 15 people talked with White for about half an hour.
"At least we let him know that we want to be involved," said David Padilla, an undergraduate student who is one of the co-chairpersons of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, also known as MEChA.
White listened to the group's concerns but said a majority of their problems can be traced back to a lack of funding for an expanded search, the Chicano/a Studies Program and for creating a tenure track faculty position within the program.
"I would love to see you all take an active role (in finding a new director)," White told the group.
But, he added, many of their requests would require more money -- something his college lacks.
White added that he understands the concerns of the group, but changes in any of the work performed by either of the two committees cannot be done without considering what is fair to Baca, the position's lone candidate.
But, White told the group, if the search committee doesn't recommend Baca for the position, then he would not hire her.
The committee has not yet made any recommendations to White.
One of the major goals the students had, Padilla said, which may have been achieved Thursday, was to buy some more time so they could raise awareness within the community regarding the new position.
"We want to have more time to do things," Padilla said. "Right now, baby steps would be good," he said.
The group will meet again Monday to discuss its options. The next meeting for the steering committee will be Wednesday, at 4 p.m.
