Editor,
I am writing to inform you and the readers what is going on with the Chicano Studies program.
The program is one of the poorest funded and supported programs at UNM. Chicano Studies barely survives on a $100,000 yearly budget and a generous donation of $100,000 (which unfortunately might not be available next year) from Dr. Tobias Duran at the Center for Regional Studies. It is a pity that Chicano Studies has to ask for money from other departments. The University, meanwhile, funds all other departments with higher amounts from its billion-dollar budget.
An interesting fact is that 35 percent of the students at UNM are Hispanic. Anglos are still the majority with 65 percent and blacks, American Indians and Asian Americans combined, equal about 5 percent. Even though the Hispanics are a greater population than their fellow minorities, both blacks and American Indians have programs you can major in, vs. Chicano Studies, which you can only minor in.
One out of every three students at UNM is Hispanic, so how can this be fair? Is the University of New Mexico actually scared that a large amount of its students could become aware of their ethnic background? Quite possibly. Which is why the History Department will not recognize the history courses taken in Chicano Studies. Why is this? Is the history of Mexican Americans not factual? Is it that these courses promote a sense of pride in Hispano culture or is it because it stresses historical events that would otherwise be deleted in a mainstream history class?
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For what ever reason, Chicano Studies being neglected by UNM is ridiculous and an outrage to the people of New Mexico. These facts should be brought to the attention of the State Legislature so something can be done and justice be served before the Chicano Studies program gets cut altogether.
Eric J. Garcia
UNM student
