Hispanic studies discussed with Deaton

Four Front met with the Chancellor in an annual meeting.

By Jamie Scott, News Editor

Published Feb. 10, 2006

In a Four Front-sponsored meeting meant to bring an awareness of minority issues on campus, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization presented Chancellor Brady Deaton with a list of objectives it would like to see achieved at MU.

The list included improvements in Hispanic student recruitment, the addition of a Hispanic studies major and expressed the need for more campus services translated into Spanish.

Director of Student Life Mark Lucas and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs also attended the meeting.

HALO President David Combs said his own observations, HALO discussions and student comments helped develop the list of issues brought up to Deaton.

"A lot of these issues were brought up from HALO and from what I've observed on campus," Combs said. "Various students, not necessarily even Hispanic students, have asked me questions like, 'Why isn't there a Hispanic studies major here at Mizzou?'"

Combs said he feels some minority recruitment services could better provide to the concerns of Hispanics and other minority groups. He said the term "minority" on campus could become better reflective of the growing Hispanic demographic.

Combs suggested MU hire bilingual recruiters to recruit from areas with a large Hispanic population. He said if campus services and admission packets were translated into Spanish, it would help.

"There's a gap in language proficiency between younger and older generations of Spanish-speaking people," Combs said. "While some younger generations may be able to speak both Spanish and English, their parents may not."

Combs said HALO also would like to see a Hispanic studies major added to the MU curriculum. He said the major could focus Hispanic contributions to American society instead of general Latin American contributions.

"Michigan State actually increased the number of Hispanic students there by offering a Hispanic studies major," Combs said. "It's definitely possible here at Mizzou, especially with the growing Hispanic demographic here in the Midwest. Forming a separate Hispanic and Latin America studies major could also work."

Four Front is the umbrella organization for some minority groups on campus. Jackie Cook-Eberle, Four Front co-chairwoman, said sponsoring open forums with Deaton is an event past Four Front administrations began, but it has diminished in recent years.

"Four Front has been very focused on implementing a diversity course recently so it's good to see the other groups working on issues within themselves," Cook-Eberle said.

Afton Anderson, Four Front co-chairwoman, said the annual meeting is held so students can talk directly with Deaton about issues.

"The biggest thing that was made clear is a lot of the Hispanic issues that need to be dealt with," she said. "I think he received what HALO had to say very well. I like how he's so eager to help students and see things along."

During the meeting, Deaton thanked the members of HALO for presenting their concerns and promised the group would hear from him again soon.

Combs said he plans to follow up with Deaton to ensure HALO's goals are still acknowledged.

"After talking to Jackie, she told me that she would be willing to set up meetings with Chancellor Deaton to become further updated on these concerns," Combs said. "I'm also in the process of talking to various professors on campus for any further suggestions or comments."