La Voz de Aztlan, February 19 1986
Item
Title
La Voz de Aztlan, February 19 1986
Creator
Associated Students of Fresno State
Relation
La Voz de Aztlan (Daily Collegian, California State University, Fresno)
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
2/19/1986
Format
PDF
Identifier
SCUA_lvda_00161
extracted text
CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY
FRESNO ·
Dr. Arciniega •·addresses hi her
By Randy Guerra
Staff Writer
education
The Chicano Latino Student
Association launched its first of many
planned Chicano Lecture series on
February 5th, with Dr. Arciniega as the
guest speaker who addressed the issue of
the importance of minorities in higher
education.
Dr. Tomas Arciniega , President of
California State University Bakersfield,
and forme,r CSU, Fresno vice-president ·
Of Academic Affairs was back on campus
to discuss this vital issue and offer possible
solutions to · this serious and complex
problem.
Dr. Arciniega feels that '"there has been
very little progress in attempts to provide
equal opportunity to Chicanos at levels of
higher education." According to Arciniega
this is because the focus of th9se in power
of implementing educational 'reform are
focusing too much on increasing the quality
of education instead of providing equal
educational opportunity across the board,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Arciniega quoted Bernard Harleston 's
viewpoint on this matter which states, "In
dealing with this probl~m, we must ask
first how do we keep 'minorh.ie~ -in schoo(
then address the issue of how we can
improve the quality of education."
"The present tendency of the educational
administrative body to replace opportunity
as a term defined as 'academic excellence'
needs to be changed," said Arceniega. The
undercurrent of. this train of thought he _
said "ts the need to limit access, which in
actuality limits educational access to only
those who are destined to be successful."
Dr. Arciniega 's experience as a mem her
of the commission which compiles state
wide data dealing with Hispanics and
higher education revealed astonishing facts
which decry the effectiveness of the present
educational reform policies. Arceniega
stated, "Hispanics are the most underrepresented groups in California. The
drop-out rate of Chicanos in urban areas
is between 40-50%, moreover in higher
Chi.c ano demographic concentrated areas
the precentage is even higher.
According to Arciniega, "Chicano enrollment in higher educational institutions
since the _I 960's Civil Rights era has been
negligible and since 1976 the short lived
improvements such as EOP, introduction
to Chicano-Latino Studies on college
curriculums has decreased."
Dr. Arciniega is impatient with a-system
that graduates Chicano students from
high school who are unprepared for higher
education, 60% of which are forced to
enter the Jr. College level. Even more
alarming stated Arciniega, is the fact that
Qf these percentages only very small
numbers of minorities actually graduate
from the University."
Arciniega stated that "too much time is
being spent by administrators proclaiming
their fairness of allowing minorities into .
their hollowed halls instead of concentrating ones efforts to enhance continued
progress, and more importantly on graduation."
Dr. Arciniega feels that the government
posture has to be changed. He compared
his ideals of Higher Education to those of
Lyndon B. Johnson who stated: "The
Higher Education Act would provide the .
opportunity for any graduating senior to
attend ar:id. apply to any university in the
U.S. and not be neglected because he is
poor." Jolfnson .also stated, said Arciniega "I could never rest until all people
had the opportunity to open that door." ·
Lawrence Tover
Dr.
Arciniega speaks out at CSUF
Dr. Arciniega said,:''the present posture
increase minority enrollment in higher
of the federal administration to decrease
education. Among the many solutions,.
financial aid, funding grants, and the proDr. Arciniega stated, "on an academic
posed revision of college entrance re-. · level, present tracking of students should
be utilized by more carefully analyzing
quirements that will take place in 1988 will
and preparing the direction for necessary
only augment the problem of educational
inequality."
.
college preparatory courses; faculty who
· He decries the indisputable fact that
are aware and sensitive to cultural pluralminorities comprise the greatest faction of. · istic ideals should be recruited; counselors
should inform prospective students and
those to be affected by these changes and
thefr fa~llies about college requirements,
finds this to be criminial and immoraJ,.
financial aid options and programs for.
The ,l atter part of Arceniega 's speech
attempted to provide solutions in order to . which they may be eligible." ·
Perception ofChang.e insChool .board
· By Frank Aviles
Staff Writer
For a long time the Chicano Commun-- ·
ity in the Fresno district has been under~ .·
represented. In the past the school board
has failed to focus its attention where it is
needed, in the Central and Southeast ·
Fresno schools where the population is
highly Hispanic.
·
According to Ben Benavidez, President
of JOVEN (Juvenile Organizations for
Viable Education Now), "the major prob- ..
!ems are centered in the Central and Southeast Fresno schools and something needs
to be done."
·
"The over:crowded conditions in some
of these schools is ridiculous. Schools that .
should be about 500-600 in population·
currently have between 1100-1200 students," said Benavidez. He said this causes ·
schools to run year around.
He added that "some of these schools
have very poor air conditioning systems
which makes it difficult for students to
concentrate in class."
"Going to school year round is very
detrimental to the Chicano Community
since most of the Chicano students need
the summer to work in order for their
families to have ·just the normal things
that other people have such as food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities," added
Benavidez.
According to Benavidez, the school
board has neglectedto .take ca~e ofthese
and other problems that exist in the Cen. frat and Southeast Fresno•school districtsuch as the.high drop-out rate, suspension
rate and . tow . proficiency scores.
.
. "We need
Chicano on the school :
board. Someone wh_o will represent the ·
Chicano community and who. can sensitize with Chicano related. problems in .the
schools,,; stated Benav:idez. ·
·
According to Dr. Gernld McMenamin,_
Linquistic professor at CSU F and current sch-00I board member, "it would def- .·
initely help if they bad a. Hispanic· on· the ·
school board. The school board represents the people and· not having a Chicano .
· on the school ·board means that not all
people are being represented -."
· [f the board members were elected by
districts · instead of at large, Dr. McMenamin believes that there would most
· likely be a Chicano on the school board to
· represent Hispanics.
Dr. McMenamin, an active member of ,
Chicano organizations, feels that he along
with Mary Curry, who is also a school
board member, will be able to contribute
. to the minority community. "Neither of ·
the previous board members were connected to the Chicano community like I
am," stated Dr. McMenamin, "nor were
they connected to the Black community
like Mary Curry.
We are interested in forming a task force on exce11ence in which the cornmun-
a
a
hy; businesses and fac•uJty will.get together· · minority students can't.achieve.'•
If progress amongst the Central and
·and try to solve these problems as a
Southeast Fresno schools is to be made,
whole," stated Dr. McMenamin.
.
. Dr. McMenamin said that "one of the · both Dr. McMenamin and Benavidez
u·nderli.ned pr.oblems for minority students . believe that t~ese problems must be .immec:f iate_ly addressed. ·
'
is· that too · many . people . believe that
·Colnmunity OutragecJ
By Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
· You are a teenager in 1986, living in ·
Southeast Fresno. Yo·u are alone with the
lights off and you hear people moving
around your home. You're not alone. You
grab a gun, -just in ca·se, after all you do
live in an escalating crime rate neighborhood. Someone knocks. You open the
door and see· an unidentified man with a
gun pointed at you. Do you or don't yqu
point your gun?
According to Frank Quintana, President of Fresno County Mexican American Political Association ( M.A. P.A.), the
preceding could be the way Ronald Lopez
was shot on January 25, ·1986.
According to reports, 16 year old Lopez
was shot by officer Raymond Holquinn in
"self defense." Lopez, a resident of Sou-
theast Fresno, pointed ~n empty J:iandgun
at Holquinn on Friday, January 25, 1986
around 11 :00 p.m.
Self def!!nse is not the issue . here, ·
according to Quintana but rather "proper
police procedure. "Quintan_a said, "I think
the whole approach of how it · was handeled was ·u·njustifiabl~."
Quintana believes that the Lopez shooting could have been avoided, had proper
police procedure been taken. Quintana
pointed out that if the officers had identified themselves instead oftiptoingaround
the Lopez residence, driven up to the
Lopez home with blaring sirens informing
of their arrival, used tear gas or blown
horns to coax him out , then perhaps
Lopez would still be alive today. '.'The
See Lopez page 4
Page2
EDITORIAL
NEOChicanismo
In the past the Chicano has been defined
as someone who is political or involved in
a social struggle. lt has to be understood
that one is not Chicano solely because one
is politically aware or actively involved in
a struggle. The Chicano is solely defined
by culture or subculture, although both
are an important aspect of the Chicano.
Being Chicano implies more than a state
of consciousness (awareness). It is an experience, a life lived by some.one in the
United States whose heritage is found in
Mexican ancestry.
The Chicano experience is a positive
experience despite the negative stimuli
given by certain elements within society.
In recent years the emergence of the "His panic,"
a generic term, which denotes passivity or
neutrality, has and had a dulling effect
upon the senses of the Chicano and other
Latinos. The term Hispanic implies a nonperson, and has the same spiritual depth
found in Muzak (supermarket music). In
the 1980's a reawakening has occured
amongst Chicanos which has been termed
Neo-chicanismo. Neo-chicanismo is a synthesis of the sophistication found in the
t 980's and a reawakening of the conwithin the government are attempting to
sciousness which propelled the Chicano in
dismantle Affirmative Action Programs,
the 1960's. It was a force which in spiritual
not because these programs are not affecterms expressed itself into a stubborn
tive, but rather because they are a reflecnation which was drowning itself in selftion of a society which necessitates that
righteousness. It was a time when the
they exist. It would be insane to believe
doors of opportunity were closed to the
that the removal of Affirmative Action
Chicano and other people of color. Since
Programs will allow the system to make
that time; limited opportunity has been
the necessary corrections. It must be rememgiven, by some it has been given relucbered that programs such as Attirmauvetantly. The generic term Hispanic gives
Action are merely symbolic of a nation's
the illusion that equality has been
conscientious effort to rectify what the
achieved, but the fact is that equality has
system has failed to correct in order to
not been reached, and until that time no
move this nation one step further toward
one should boast or pretensions that it has
the ideal society which is the "American
been reached.
Dream."
It needs to be understood that equality
It should be noted that the Simpson
and justice in essence is more than having
Mazzoli bill introduced to Congress at its
a job, although a good indicator of ininception advocated in subtle tones that a
equality and injustice is that a larger propassport be carried by anyone of Chicanoportion of Chicanos and other people of
Latino descent. This bill would have officolor are unemployed in comparison to
cially instituted a system equal to South
the nation's total population. It should
Africa's Apartheid. Some have argued
a_1_so_be...,...po•i•n-te•d•o•u•t-th•a•t•c•er~t-a1.·n_i_n_fl.ue.n..c,_es___t_h_at_!.he system currently exists in our
Editor Speaks·Out
In the next few years to come the Chicano will be facing extreme
problems in attaining the right to an education in this country what so many of our brothers and sisters fought so hard and gave
their lives for throughout our history. With the high drop-out rate
that exists today both at the high school level as well as in the
university, the raising of the admissions requirements, cutbacks in
financial aid and guarantee student loans - our struggle continues.
I recently conducted a random survey amongst Chicano stu- ·
dents from different high schools throughout Fresno. The first
question that was asked was,"''Are you aware of the severe Chicano
drop-out rate problem that exists?" The majority of the students
said "no." This so called "unawareness" seems to run rampant not
only amongst students but also with school counselors, teachers
and administrators. When I asked counselors and administrators
for the percentage of Chicano drop-outs in their school, neither
one of them gave the amount, instead many said that they ha,d
much more students graduating now then they have ever had"
before. They did not say we have more Chicano students graduating.
It is imperative that administrators, counselors and teachers
know what the statistics are in order to attempt to guide their
students more effectively towards a higher education, as well as
improve the curriculum which is being taught, or even the teachers'
method of operation. I realize. that there are a myriad amount of
reasons as to why Chicanos drop-out of high school, but when the
percentages are as high as they are today, one can only believe that
somewhere along their educational experience a need was not met.
I am often dismayed at how often in the newspaper, television
and radio "alarming statistics" of minority drop-out rates are
discovered by so and so's research.
People are spending valuable time investigating and studying the
. nation but operates at a more refinedand
sophisticated manner.
Futhermore, the Simpson-Mazzoli bill
has attempted to blame U.S. economic
troubles on a people, namely the ChicanoLatino of human dignity. The true essence
of the Simpson-Mazzoli bill is that it sees
the emergence of the Neo-chicano, and is
threatened because they are realizing their
potential in all segments of society.
The Neo-Chicano does not need to
prove anything to anyone. He is well
aware of his abilities, therefore confident,
yet ·not arrogant. He is no longer affected
by non-truth (lies) perpetuated by those
who desire to oppress him. This is the
essence of the Neo-chicano's power.
The fact that Neo-chicanos understand
the society in which they live allows them
to increase their ability to function within
that society, yet does not look down upon
others who are not yet able to, but makes
every effort to help them. lt should also be
noted that Neo-chicanos do not allow
themselves to be used to oppress others
regardless of gains they can make for
themselves or others. Neo-chicanos care
about humanity; and have no desire to
oppress anyone, yet will no longer allow
themselves to be oppressed.
ln conclusion, the Neo-chicano no
longer sits passively to be given an identity, but rather has awakened to the identity which always resided within him. In
the Neo.:.chicano a new excitement and
energy is expressed. The eyes of the :Neochicano reflect the new spirit and speak
from a poi~t of awareness.
*note: The terms Chicano and Neo-chicano
denote both the male and female.
•
By Robert Castorena
Senator, School of Graduate Studies
problem of drop-outs, rather than doing ~omethini
about it. It's simple - just take a good look around campus and see
how many Chican·o students from your own graduating class are
here.
The administration is not changing, that's why it is imperativethat the Chicano community and organizations take some sort of
action to help those students who are struggling to obtain an
education or fear that higher education is not for them, especially
now with the raising of the college entrance requirements. Let's not
exhibit the same naivete that so many of the peo·ple in positions
who could make a difference seem to maintain. Voice your concerns. Only by -posing valid questions can we expect to get answers.
Just remember that everytime you drop a book, you make it
harder for the next Chicano to pick it up.
Radio Chicano
Every- Sunday at
11 :30-12:00 noon on
KFSR, 90. 7 presents
a Public Affairs program with the Chicano-Latino perspective.
· Page 3
SPOTLIGHT
Sy Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
Chicanas on the move. That phrase vividly describes one such Chicana here on
campus, Jeanette Villanueva, Public Affairs Director at KSFR. Not only is she
the first Chicana Public Affairs Director,
but she has also become an exemplary role
model for Chicanos to follow.
Villanueva was born in 1962 in Oxnard,
California and is the eldest of five children. Her parents, both college graduates,
have always encouraged her to pursue a
college education.
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort she has put into it. She
graduated from Santa Clara High School
where she was actively involved in the student council , cheerleading, and the school
newspaper. She later attended Ventura
Junior College where she received her
Associate of Arts degree.
In 1983, Villanueva along with her best
friend moved to Fresno to attend CSU F
at the age of twenty. She saw this move as
"quite a change ." It was the first time she
had left her family and home for more
than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location. lt was far
enough from home to gain independance,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits.
Villanueva is currently twenty-threeears old, a senior, majoring in radio-t.v.
Lawrence T over
Jeanette Villanueva behind her desk at KFSR
and minoring in journalism. The first job
she had relating to her field of study was
working as a news assistant for K MJ 58 .
Last semester Villanueva completed her
internship at Channel 30. However, she
now concentrates herself at KFSR where
she is the Public Affairs Director and
hosts a talkshow every Sunday from l :00·
2:00 g.m. on various issues. Villa.n ueva
Commencement begins
By Maricela Angeles
Staff Writer
The Chicano Commencement honors
Chicano graduates for their academic
achievements and recognizes their individual accomplishments. This celebration
is an opportunity for the entire community, family and friends to honor and support the Chicano graduates.
"According to Manuel Olgin "planning
for the annual Chicano Commencerpent
. celebration takes a lot of hard work and
dedication. The sincere appreciation and
gratitude one obtains from the graduates ·
and their families is like no other. It gives a
special warm feeling that makes all that
time and work worth the effort."
"Graduating from college is a once in a
life time thing. Nobody gives you your
degree. You have to earn it, and we respect
that," stated Olgin.
. This special event is used as a recruiting
cJevice. It's all about role models. Olgin
said "it shows that it's not too late and that
if they can do it, so can you."
"This bilingual event ·is sponsored by
also works at KSJV and Radio Bilingue
doing indepth interviews .
On Campus, she is actively involved in
the Minority Media Association, AER HO
(a national broadcasting fraternity) and
CLSA.
After graduating, Villanueva hopes to
work her way up the ladder in radio-t.v,
with the emphasis on television. She hopes
the Chicano Alumni Association. Most of
the work and dedication that goes into
this event is carried out by the Chicano
Commencement Committee along with a
strong community support input. Unfortunately the committee discontinued their
· meetings on November due to the uncer•
tainty of the new commencement ceremony date.
••The change of date has complicated
and delayed preparations that had been
made a year in advance," stated Olgin . As
a result decisions for new preparations
have to be made without delay. Olgin
encourages students to join and participate immediately if they wish to have
input. Meetings will take place every
Wednesday, begining the second week of
school, at 6:00 p.m. in · the Learning
A~sistance Center. Everyone is welcome.
to begin as a reporter and eventually
. become an anchorwoman . There have
been many job opportunities for her here
in the San Joaquin Valley, but he hopes
to return to Southern California and her
family a oon as possible.
Although women and minorities are
growing in the field of radio-t.v., "we
alway need more," said Villanueva.
"Pushing education at an early age and
being able to relate to your child" i one of
the ways Villanueva believe that the Chicano can progress.
When asked how she felt about being a
Chicana Villanueva said, "it i an honor,
not a downfall."
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort that she has put into it.
She graduated from Santa Clara High
School where she was actively involved in
the student council, cheerleading, and the
school newspaper. She later at tented Ventura Junior College where he received her
associated of Arts degree .
In 1983,at the age of twenty , Villanueva
along with her best friend moved to
Fresno to attend CSUF. She aw thi
move as "quite a change. "It wa the fir t
time she had left her family and home for
more than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location . It was far
enough from home to gain independence,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits .
This celebration is_ for anyone who has
attended or graduated from Fresno State,
or for friends of people from CSU, Fresno.
If yo.u are interested in attending the meetings or being part of the Chicano Commencement Committee please contact
· Manuel Olgin .at 294-3052.
,
' Olgin announced that applications for
the Chicano Commencement Committee
celebration are now available at the
Learning Assistance Center.
"The committee is in desperate need of
funds to hold this event," said Olgin. He
wishes to invite interested individuals to
become tnembers of the Chicano Alumni
Associaton and also urges the cooperation and involvement of anyone interested
to join and participate on a f\Umber of
act1V1ties and fund raisers which wil be
held in the near future.
Outreach
By Peter Tapia
Contributing Writer
The Graduate Outreach was developed
through a cooperative effort by the Division of Graduate Studies and Resec:trch,
and the Office of the Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs and Special projects fun~ed through its activities
during the Fall semester of 1982.
The uniqueness of this effort is that it is
staffed and maintained by two graduate
students - Peer Recruiters. Many other
universities employ full-time recruiters, or
use faculty / staff part-time . Graduate students are able to use the experiences that
they have gained and apply them to
advise and counsel potential students .The
use of student assistants permits the
Graduate Outreach effort to be staffed on
a "full-time" basis; each recruiter works
twenty hours a week. The recruiters' position provides an opportunity for financing their education. while gaining valua.ble experience working for the university.
The Graduate Outreach office has hired
students from the graduate program of'
Mass Communication . Coun eling, Spanish, International Relations , and Education. The Peer Recruiters are Robert Castorena and Lynda Robin son . under the
supervision of the Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research. Dr. Uavid
A. Ross.
The Graduate Outreach Service exists
to increase and diversify the enrollment of
minority students in the unversity's fortytwo graduate programs. The specific student population that have been identified
for this service are Native Americans.
Blacks, Chicanos, and Hispanics. although
any student who inquires about graduate
studies may receive advising, counseling,
and other information. The Peer Recru- .
iters have met with several representatives
of Student Support Services, as well as
graduate faculty, advisors, coordinators,
. and chairpersons in order to develop
activities to encourage the potential postbaccalaureate application to matriculate
at the University . The recruiters look forward to th'e development of additional •
activities, and welcome inquiries from
interested parties, from both on and offcampus offices, departments and organizations.
The Graduate Outreach Servic~ works
toward augmenting minority enrollment
at the graduate level so that parity with
both undergraduate enrollment and the
university's service area may be attained
To this end, the program provides answers,
referrals, and services to prospective
· applicants regarding graduate studies.
Robert Castorena has served as a Peer
Recruiter since the Spring of 1985. He was
awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics from California State University. Fresno in 1982. Robert is a graduate
student in the Political Science DeparEment. Robert's extensive work experience
with minority students is an important
asset to the Graduate Outreach Service.
Prior to becoming a Graduate Recruiter,
he worked wjrh the Educational Opportunity· Program as a Student Outreach
Worker / Recruiter, and the Political Science Department as an administrative research assistant. His work, since 1980. with
See outreach page 4
-~
...
Contributing photo by Tony Olmos
By Maria Esther Garcia
Staff Writer
.
~
Labor leader Cesar Chavez and 100
grape workers from Delano and other San
Joaquin valley farm workers protested health
threats that they and their children face _
rom dangerous pesticides used on area
vineyards ori February 5, at the Center
Plaza Holiday Inn while the
California Table Grape Commission awarded scholarships to students from the Fresno
area.
Picketers waived black flags with a
white skull and crossbones. One of the
banners read, "La Desgracia de las Pesticidas," and shouted ••Boycott the Grapes!"
Bobby de la Cruz, Legislative Director
of the United Farm Workers (U.F.W.)
explained that the U. F. W. was not protesting the scholarships that were being issued
by the farmers , rather they were protesting
against the pesticides which the grape
growers are using in the fields.
Dolores Huerta , Vice-President of the
U.F.W. said, ••This isn't the first time
we've gathered to protest, nor is it the last
We will continue to protest until justice is
achieved for the farm laborers."
Cesar Chavez rebellina: for justice
"We are here to protest because the
growers refuse to ban five pesticides
which are causing hundreds and thousands
of deaths and illnesses to farm workers
and-their families, "stated Chavez. He said
••th.e boycott on the grapes will eventually
put pressure on the farmers to stop using
these pesticides. This boycott will expand
througout the valley, California and the
United States."
On January 7, 1986 Chavez unveiled a
new ••wrath of Grapes" campaign which ·
focuses even more directly on the pesticide
peril. The boycott will counter grape
growers' television ads featuring fresh
grapes as a natural snack .
"The Wrath of Grapes" symbolizes the
veto of the field posting bill, the death of
Juan Chabolla, the killing , maiming, and
poisoning of thousands of other farm
workers and their children- through the
wreckless use of deadly poison in
agriculture. It also represents the threats
posed to consumers by pesticide residues
contained in fresh grapes and other
produce.
••we won't stop rebelling qntil there is
justice," state_d Chave,..z.
Page4
LOPEZ
officers created the controntation,~• said
Quintana.
.
A few· days after the Lopez shooting.
Clovis police received a phone call about a
man firing a riffle. A call was made to the
Fresno Tactile squad and they quickly
responded. They surrounded the residence.
After three hours of persuasion, police
convinced the suspect to surrender.
Ray Williams, a felony fugitive from
the law, considered armed was also
apprehended by police in Clovis. Tear gas
was used again, and he was not shot.
These are two of many examples that
convince Quintana that there is a discrimination problem in our justice system.
Unfortunately the Lopez shooting was
not the first of its kind . On January I,
1985, Raul Rangel Jr., 18 years old, was
also shot by the Fresno police. Rangel like
Lopez held an unioa.ucd gun. According .
to Quintana, .. there are certain similarities
between these two particular shootings
Rangel and Lopez were cous1ns. They
both came from poor backgrounds, and
both received bias coverage by the Fresno
Bee." However, Quintana states that their
biggest similarity and crime was that "they
were both high school drop-outs, and victims of the system."
On February 4, 1986, M.A.P.A. held a
demonstration at City Hall in order to
raise support from the community regarding the Lopez shooting. Quintana said
that the demonstration was "only the
beginning': He feels that a whole scale plan
of action is necessary from the police.
According to Quintana .. the entire justice
system has to be reviewed. We want some
changes and results if possible before your
brother becomes number three in the
series."
OUTREACH
Contact-Fresno as a voiunteer counselor
provides a valuable background experience
us.eful.to his prese°'tjob with the Graduate
Outreach Service. .
,
According to Robert Castorena theGraduate Outreach Service helps contribute toward the advancement of minorities
and women, but as in all programs there is
always room for more improvement. Cas-
Editor-Maria Belen Rodriquez
Co-editor, -Frank Aviles
Staff Writers:
Marcela Angeles, Martha Camacho,
Lourdes Espinosa, Sara Laris,
Margaret Sandoval
torena explained that the "Graduate Outreach Service (GOS) is a tip of the iceburg
of what can be done to encourage minorities and women to continue to graduate
school. The more that the campus administration, faculty, student and community, realize that there is a need to encourage and support the idea of promoting
graduate school for underrepresented so
that progress will be made." For further
information about graduate studies please
contact Robert Castorena or Lynda
Robinson at 294-2448 or the Thomas
Administration Building Room 132.
Production- Ted Romero
Photographer-Lawrence T over
La V01. de Aztlan is a special publication of The Daily
Collegian and as such is a member of the California
Intercollegiate Press Association .
The opinions published on this page are not necessarily
those of La Voz de Aztlan or its staff. Editorials are
unsigned and are the opinion of the paper\ editor.
Pancho and Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
You can tell my problem right away, probably. I need writing
help. So many good writers are in my English 1 class and I am
embarressed. I didn't turn my first paper and now I am flunking
this class. I want to write good . I have to write good if I want to
be a graduate of college. I am ready to work hard but I do not
know what to do.
Sincerely
Essay less
•I'
Dear Essayless,
Dear Essayless,
You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You 're not the only student
with a writing problem. The first thing that you might want to do
is visit the Learning Assistance Center. You might also want to
talk to your professor about it. He will probably be able to give
you some out of class exercises that will help improve your
writing skills.
Take advantage of the tutorial services that are available to
you on campus. Use the tutorial services offered by EOP
(located in the Joyal Administration building on the second
floor), the Learning Assistance Center, and the English writing
lab which is worth one unit of credit. Not turning in your
homework will only make things worse. You should find out if
you can make up past assignments.
You should not compare yourself to others, but rather try to
concentrate on doing your best in the class.
Sincerely,
~
Pancho
Sympathetically yours,
Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
Dear Uncommitted,
I have a very nice boy friend and his name is Jose. He buys me
flQwers,takes me out to eat, and buys me a lot of gifts. There's
one problem, I am not ready to commit myself to one person.
I'm a college student and I don't want a boyfriend to interfere
with my·-studies, but then again I don't want to lose him. What
should I do?
It would be very unfair to Jose if you didn't let him know how
you felt about him. Who knows? He might even feel the same
about you.
·
Sincerely,
Simply,
Pancho and Juanita
Uncommitted.
Please write to Pancho and Juanita if you have any questions,
problems or comments.
Send your letters to: La Voz de Aztlan, Keatz Campus. Pancho
and Juanita will respond to your letter as soon as possible.
UNIVERSITY
FRESNO ·
Dr. Arciniega •·addresses hi her
By Randy Guerra
Staff Writer
education
The Chicano Latino Student
Association launched its first of many
planned Chicano Lecture series on
February 5th, with Dr. Arciniega as the
guest speaker who addressed the issue of
the importance of minorities in higher
education.
Dr. Tomas Arciniega , President of
California State University Bakersfield,
and forme,r CSU, Fresno vice-president ·
Of Academic Affairs was back on campus
to discuss this vital issue and offer possible
solutions to · this serious and complex
problem.
Dr. Arciniega feels that '"there has been
very little progress in attempts to provide
equal opportunity to Chicanos at levels of
higher education." According to Arciniega
this is because the focus of th9se in power
of implementing educational 'reform are
focusing too much on increasing the quality
of education instead of providing equal
educational opportunity across the board,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Arciniega quoted Bernard Harleston 's
viewpoint on this matter which states, "In
dealing with this probl~m, we must ask
first how do we keep 'minorh.ie~ -in schoo(
then address the issue of how we can
improve the quality of education."
"The present tendency of the educational
administrative body to replace opportunity
as a term defined as 'academic excellence'
needs to be changed," said Arceniega. The
undercurrent of. this train of thought he _
said "ts the need to limit access, which in
actuality limits educational access to only
those who are destined to be successful."
Dr. Arciniega 's experience as a mem her
of the commission which compiles state
wide data dealing with Hispanics and
higher education revealed astonishing facts
which decry the effectiveness of the present
educational reform policies. Arceniega
stated, "Hispanics are the most underrepresented groups in California. The
drop-out rate of Chicanos in urban areas
is between 40-50%, moreover in higher
Chi.c ano demographic concentrated areas
the precentage is even higher.
According to Arciniega, "Chicano enrollment in higher educational institutions
since the _I 960's Civil Rights era has been
negligible and since 1976 the short lived
improvements such as EOP, introduction
to Chicano-Latino Studies on college
curriculums has decreased."
Dr. Arciniega is impatient with a-system
that graduates Chicano students from
high school who are unprepared for higher
education, 60% of which are forced to
enter the Jr. College level. Even more
alarming stated Arciniega, is the fact that
Qf these percentages only very small
numbers of minorities actually graduate
from the University."
Arciniega stated that "too much time is
being spent by administrators proclaiming
their fairness of allowing minorities into .
their hollowed halls instead of concentrating ones efforts to enhance continued
progress, and more importantly on graduation."
Dr. Arciniega feels that the government
posture has to be changed. He compared
his ideals of Higher Education to those of
Lyndon B. Johnson who stated: "The
Higher Education Act would provide the .
opportunity for any graduating senior to
attend ar:id. apply to any university in the
U.S. and not be neglected because he is
poor." Jolfnson .also stated, said Arciniega "I could never rest until all people
had the opportunity to open that door." ·
Lawrence Tover
Dr.
Arciniega speaks out at CSUF
Dr. Arciniega said,:''the present posture
increase minority enrollment in higher
of the federal administration to decrease
education. Among the many solutions,.
financial aid, funding grants, and the proDr. Arciniega stated, "on an academic
posed revision of college entrance re-. · level, present tracking of students should
be utilized by more carefully analyzing
quirements that will take place in 1988 will
and preparing the direction for necessary
only augment the problem of educational
inequality."
.
college preparatory courses; faculty who
· He decries the indisputable fact that
are aware and sensitive to cultural pluralminorities comprise the greatest faction of. · istic ideals should be recruited; counselors
should inform prospective students and
those to be affected by these changes and
thefr fa~llies about college requirements,
finds this to be criminial and immoraJ,.
financial aid options and programs for.
The ,l atter part of Arceniega 's speech
attempted to provide solutions in order to . which they may be eligible." ·
Perception ofChang.e insChool .board
· By Frank Aviles
Staff Writer
For a long time the Chicano Commun-- ·
ity in the Fresno district has been under~ .·
represented. In the past the school board
has failed to focus its attention where it is
needed, in the Central and Southeast ·
Fresno schools where the population is
highly Hispanic.
·
According to Ben Benavidez, President
of JOVEN (Juvenile Organizations for
Viable Education Now), "the major prob- ..
!ems are centered in the Central and Southeast Fresno schools and something needs
to be done."
·
"The over:crowded conditions in some
of these schools is ridiculous. Schools that .
should be about 500-600 in population·
currently have between 1100-1200 students," said Benavidez. He said this causes ·
schools to run year around.
He added that "some of these schools
have very poor air conditioning systems
which makes it difficult for students to
concentrate in class."
"Going to school year round is very
detrimental to the Chicano Community
since most of the Chicano students need
the summer to work in order for their
families to have ·just the normal things
that other people have such as food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities," added
Benavidez.
According to Benavidez, the school
board has neglectedto .take ca~e ofthese
and other problems that exist in the Cen. frat and Southeast Fresno•school districtsuch as the.high drop-out rate, suspension
rate and . tow . proficiency scores.
.
. "We need
Chicano on the school :
board. Someone wh_o will represent the ·
Chicano community and who. can sensitize with Chicano related. problems in .the
schools,,; stated Benav:idez. ·
·
According to Dr. Gernld McMenamin,_
Linquistic professor at CSU F and current sch-00I board member, "it would def- .·
initely help if they bad a. Hispanic· on· the ·
school board. The school board represents the people and· not having a Chicano .
· on the school ·board means that not all
people are being represented -."
· [f the board members were elected by
districts · instead of at large, Dr. McMenamin believes that there would most
· likely be a Chicano on the school board to
· represent Hispanics.
Dr. McMenamin, an active member of ,
Chicano organizations, feels that he along
with Mary Curry, who is also a school
board member, will be able to contribute
. to the minority community. "Neither of ·
the previous board members were connected to the Chicano community like I
am," stated Dr. McMenamin, "nor were
they connected to the Black community
like Mary Curry.
We are interested in forming a task force on exce11ence in which the cornmun-
a
a
hy; businesses and fac•uJty will.get together· · minority students can't.achieve.'•
If progress amongst the Central and
·and try to solve these problems as a
Southeast Fresno schools is to be made,
whole," stated Dr. McMenamin.
.
. Dr. McMenamin said that "one of the · both Dr. McMenamin and Benavidez
u·nderli.ned pr.oblems for minority students . believe that t~ese problems must be .immec:f iate_ly addressed. ·
'
is· that too · many . people . believe that
·Colnmunity OutragecJ
By Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
· You are a teenager in 1986, living in ·
Southeast Fresno. Yo·u are alone with the
lights off and you hear people moving
around your home. You're not alone. You
grab a gun, -just in ca·se, after all you do
live in an escalating crime rate neighborhood. Someone knocks. You open the
door and see· an unidentified man with a
gun pointed at you. Do you or don't yqu
point your gun?
According to Frank Quintana, President of Fresno County Mexican American Political Association ( M.A. P.A.), the
preceding could be the way Ronald Lopez
was shot on January 25, ·1986.
According to reports, 16 year old Lopez
was shot by officer Raymond Holquinn in
"self defense." Lopez, a resident of Sou-
theast Fresno, pointed ~n empty J:iandgun
at Holquinn on Friday, January 25, 1986
around 11 :00 p.m.
Self def!!nse is not the issue . here, ·
according to Quintana but rather "proper
police procedure. "Quintan_a said, "I think
the whole approach of how it · was handeled was ·u·njustifiabl~."
Quintana believes that the Lopez shooting could have been avoided, had proper
police procedure been taken. Quintana
pointed out that if the officers had identified themselves instead oftiptoingaround
the Lopez residence, driven up to the
Lopez home with blaring sirens informing
of their arrival, used tear gas or blown
horns to coax him out , then perhaps
Lopez would still be alive today. '.'The
See Lopez page 4
Page2
EDITORIAL
NEOChicanismo
In the past the Chicano has been defined
as someone who is political or involved in
a social struggle. lt has to be understood
that one is not Chicano solely because one
is politically aware or actively involved in
a struggle. The Chicano is solely defined
by culture or subculture, although both
are an important aspect of the Chicano.
Being Chicano implies more than a state
of consciousness (awareness). It is an experience, a life lived by some.one in the
United States whose heritage is found in
Mexican ancestry.
The Chicano experience is a positive
experience despite the negative stimuli
given by certain elements within society.
In recent years the emergence of the "His panic,"
a generic term, which denotes passivity or
neutrality, has and had a dulling effect
upon the senses of the Chicano and other
Latinos. The term Hispanic implies a nonperson, and has the same spiritual depth
found in Muzak (supermarket music). In
the 1980's a reawakening has occured
amongst Chicanos which has been termed
Neo-chicanismo. Neo-chicanismo is a synthesis of the sophistication found in the
t 980's and a reawakening of the conwithin the government are attempting to
sciousness which propelled the Chicano in
dismantle Affirmative Action Programs,
the 1960's. It was a force which in spiritual
not because these programs are not affecterms expressed itself into a stubborn
tive, but rather because they are a reflecnation which was drowning itself in selftion of a society which necessitates that
righteousness. It was a time when the
they exist. It would be insane to believe
doors of opportunity were closed to the
that the removal of Affirmative Action
Chicano and other people of color. Since
Programs will allow the system to make
that time; limited opportunity has been
the necessary corrections. It must be rememgiven, by some it has been given relucbered that programs such as Attirmauvetantly. The generic term Hispanic gives
Action are merely symbolic of a nation's
the illusion that equality has been
conscientious effort to rectify what the
achieved, but the fact is that equality has
system has failed to correct in order to
not been reached, and until that time no
move this nation one step further toward
one should boast or pretensions that it has
the ideal society which is the "American
been reached.
Dream."
It needs to be understood that equality
It should be noted that the Simpson
and justice in essence is more than having
Mazzoli bill introduced to Congress at its
a job, although a good indicator of ininception advocated in subtle tones that a
equality and injustice is that a larger propassport be carried by anyone of Chicanoportion of Chicanos and other people of
Latino descent. This bill would have officolor are unemployed in comparison to
cially instituted a system equal to South
the nation's total population. It should
Africa's Apartheid. Some have argued
a_1_so_be...,...po•i•n-te•d•o•u•t-th•a•t•c•er~t-a1.·n_i_n_fl.ue.n..c,_es___t_h_at_!.he system currently exists in our
Editor Speaks·Out
In the next few years to come the Chicano will be facing extreme
problems in attaining the right to an education in this country what so many of our brothers and sisters fought so hard and gave
their lives for throughout our history. With the high drop-out rate
that exists today both at the high school level as well as in the
university, the raising of the admissions requirements, cutbacks in
financial aid and guarantee student loans - our struggle continues.
I recently conducted a random survey amongst Chicano stu- ·
dents from different high schools throughout Fresno. The first
question that was asked was,"''Are you aware of the severe Chicano
drop-out rate problem that exists?" The majority of the students
said "no." This so called "unawareness" seems to run rampant not
only amongst students but also with school counselors, teachers
and administrators. When I asked counselors and administrators
for the percentage of Chicano drop-outs in their school, neither
one of them gave the amount, instead many said that they ha,d
much more students graduating now then they have ever had"
before. They did not say we have more Chicano students graduating.
It is imperative that administrators, counselors and teachers
know what the statistics are in order to attempt to guide their
students more effectively towards a higher education, as well as
improve the curriculum which is being taught, or even the teachers'
method of operation. I realize. that there are a myriad amount of
reasons as to why Chicanos drop-out of high school, but when the
percentages are as high as they are today, one can only believe that
somewhere along their educational experience a need was not met.
I am often dismayed at how often in the newspaper, television
and radio "alarming statistics" of minority drop-out rates are
discovered by so and so's research.
People are spending valuable time investigating and studying the
. nation but operates at a more refinedand
sophisticated manner.
Futhermore, the Simpson-Mazzoli bill
has attempted to blame U.S. economic
troubles on a people, namely the ChicanoLatino of human dignity. The true essence
of the Simpson-Mazzoli bill is that it sees
the emergence of the Neo-chicano, and is
threatened because they are realizing their
potential in all segments of society.
The Neo-Chicano does not need to
prove anything to anyone. He is well
aware of his abilities, therefore confident,
yet ·not arrogant. He is no longer affected
by non-truth (lies) perpetuated by those
who desire to oppress him. This is the
essence of the Neo-chicano's power.
The fact that Neo-chicanos understand
the society in which they live allows them
to increase their ability to function within
that society, yet does not look down upon
others who are not yet able to, but makes
every effort to help them. lt should also be
noted that Neo-chicanos do not allow
themselves to be used to oppress others
regardless of gains they can make for
themselves or others. Neo-chicanos care
about humanity; and have no desire to
oppress anyone, yet will no longer allow
themselves to be oppressed.
ln conclusion, the Neo-chicano no
longer sits passively to be given an identity, but rather has awakened to the identity which always resided within him. In
the Neo.:.chicano a new excitement and
energy is expressed. The eyes of the :Neochicano reflect the new spirit and speak
from a poi~t of awareness.
*note: The terms Chicano and Neo-chicano
denote both the male and female.
•
By Robert Castorena
Senator, School of Graduate Studies
problem of drop-outs, rather than doing ~omethini
about it. It's simple - just take a good look around campus and see
how many Chican·o students from your own graduating class are
here.
The administration is not changing, that's why it is imperativethat the Chicano community and organizations take some sort of
action to help those students who are struggling to obtain an
education or fear that higher education is not for them, especially
now with the raising of the college entrance requirements. Let's not
exhibit the same naivete that so many of the peo·ple in positions
who could make a difference seem to maintain. Voice your concerns. Only by -posing valid questions can we expect to get answers.
Just remember that everytime you drop a book, you make it
harder for the next Chicano to pick it up.
Radio Chicano
Every- Sunday at
11 :30-12:00 noon on
KFSR, 90. 7 presents
a Public Affairs program with the Chicano-Latino perspective.
· Page 3
SPOTLIGHT
Sy Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
Chicanas on the move. That phrase vividly describes one such Chicana here on
campus, Jeanette Villanueva, Public Affairs Director at KSFR. Not only is she
the first Chicana Public Affairs Director,
but she has also become an exemplary role
model for Chicanos to follow.
Villanueva was born in 1962 in Oxnard,
California and is the eldest of five children. Her parents, both college graduates,
have always encouraged her to pursue a
college education.
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort she has put into it. She
graduated from Santa Clara High School
where she was actively involved in the student council , cheerleading, and the school
newspaper. She later attended Ventura
Junior College where she received her
Associate of Arts degree.
In 1983, Villanueva along with her best
friend moved to Fresno to attend CSU F
at the age of twenty. She saw this move as
"quite a change ." It was the first time she
had left her family and home for more
than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location. lt was far
enough from home to gain independance,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits.
Villanueva is currently twenty-threeears old, a senior, majoring in radio-t.v.
Lawrence T over
Jeanette Villanueva behind her desk at KFSR
and minoring in journalism. The first job
she had relating to her field of study was
working as a news assistant for K MJ 58 .
Last semester Villanueva completed her
internship at Channel 30. However, she
now concentrates herself at KFSR where
she is the Public Affairs Director and
hosts a talkshow every Sunday from l :00·
2:00 g.m. on various issues. Villa.n ueva
Commencement begins
By Maricela Angeles
Staff Writer
The Chicano Commencement honors
Chicano graduates for their academic
achievements and recognizes their individual accomplishments. This celebration
is an opportunity for the entire community, family and friends to honor and support the Chicano graduates.
"According to Manuel Olgin "planning
for the annual Chicano Commencerpent
. celebration takes a lot of hard work and
dedication. The sincere appreciation and
gratitude one obtains from the graduates ·
and their families is like no other. It gives a
special warm feeling that makes all that
time and work worth the effort."
"Graduating from college is a once in a
life time thing. Nobody gives you your
degree. You have to earn it, and we respect
that," stated Olgin.
. This special event is used as a recruiting
cJevice. It's all about role models. Olgin
said "it shows that it's not too late and that
if they can do it, so can you."
"This bilingual event ·is sponsored by
also works at KSJV and Radio Bilingue
doing indepth interviews .
On Campus, she is actively involved in
the Minority Media Association, AER HO
(a national broadcasting fraternity) and
CLSA.
After graduating, Villanueva hopes to
work her way up the ladder in radio-t.v,
with the emphasis on television. She hopes
the Chicano Alumni Association. Most of
the work and dedication that goes into
this event is carried out by the Chicano
Commencement Committee along with a
strong community support input. Unfortunately the committee discontinued their
· meetings on November due to the uncer•
tainty of the new commencement ceremony date.
••The change of date has complicated
and delayed preparations that had been
made a year in advance," stated Olgin . As
a result decisions for new preparations
have to be made without delay. Olgin
encourages students to join and participate immediately if they wish to have
input. Meetings will take place every
Wednesday, begining the second week of
school, at 6:00 p.m. in · the Learning
A~sistance Center. Everyone is welcome.
to begin as a reporter and eventually
. become an anchorwoman . There have
been many job opportunities for her here
in the San Joaquin Valley, but he hopes
to return to Southern California and her
family a oon as possible.
Although women and minorities are
growing in the field of radio-t.v., "we
alway need more," said Villanueva.
"Pushing education at an early age and
being able to relate to your child" i one of
the ways Villanueva believe that the Chicano can progress.
When asked how she felt about being a
Chicana Villanueva said, "it i an honor,
not a downfall."
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort that she has put into it.
She graduated from Santa Clara High
School where she was actively involved in
the student council, cheerleading, and the
school newspaper. She later at tented Ventura Junior College where he received her
associated of Arts degree .
In 1983,at the age of twenty , Villanueva
along with her best friend moved to
Fresno to attend CSUF. She aw thi
move as "quite a change. "It wa the fir t
time she had left her family and home for
more than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location . It was far
enough from home to gain independence,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits .
This celebration is_ for anyone who has
attended or graduated from Fresno State,
or for friends of people from CSU, Fresno.
If yo.u are interested in attending the meetings or being part of the Chicano Commencement Committee please contact
· Manuel Olgin .at 294-3052.
,
' Olgin announced that applications for
the Chicano Commencement Committee
celebration are now available at the
Learning Assistance Center.
"The committee is in desperate need of
funds to hold this event," said Olgin. He
wishes to invite interested individuals to
become tnembers of the Chicano Alumni
Associaton and also urges the cooperation and involvement of anyone interested
to join and participate on a f\Umber of
act1V1ties and fund raisers which wil be
held in the near future.
Outreach
By Peter Tapia
Contributing Writer
The Graduate Outreach was developed
through a cooperative effort by the Division of Graduate Studies and Resec:trch,
and the Office of the Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs and Special projects fun~ed through its activities
during the Fall semester of 1982.
The uniqueness of this effort is that it is
staffed and maintained by two graduate
students - Peer Recruiters. Many other
universities employ full-time recruiters, or
use faculty / staff part-time . Graduate students are able to use the experiences that
they have gained and apply them to
advise and counsel potential students .The
use of student assistants permits the
Graduate Outreach effort to be staffed on
a "full-time" basis; each recruiter works
twenty hours a week. The recruiters' position provides an opportunity for financing their education. while gaining valua.ble experience working for the university.
The Graduate Outreach office has hired
students from the graduate program of'
Mass Communication . Coun eling, Spanish, International Relations , and Education. The Peer Recruiters are Robert Castorena and Lynda Robin son . under the
supervision of the Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research. Dr. Uavid
A. Ross.
The Graduate Outreach Service exists
to increase and diversify the enrollment of
minority students in the unversity's fortytwo graduate programs. The specific student population that have been identified
for this service are Native Americans.
Blacks, Chicanos, and Hispanics. although
any student who inquires about graduate
studies may receive advising, counseling,
and other information. The Peer Recru- .
iters have met with several representatives
of Student Support Services, as well as
graduate faculty, advisors, coordinators,
. and chairpersons in order to develop
activities to encourage the potential postbaccalaureate application to matriculate
at the University . The recruiters look forward to th'e development of additional •
activities, and welcome inquiries from
interested parties, from both on and offcampus offices, departments and organizations.
The Graduate Outreach Servic~ works
toward augmenting minority enrollment
at the graduate level so that parity with
both undergraduate enrollment and the
university's service area may be attained
To this end, the program provides answers,
referrals, and services to prospective
· applicants regarding graduate studies.
Robert Castorena has served as a Peer
Recruiter since the Spring of 1985. He was
awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics from California State University. Fresno in 1982. Robert is a graduate
student in the Political Science DeparEment. Robert's extensive work experience
with minority students is an important
asset to the Graduate Outreach Service.
Prior to becoming a Graduate Recruiter,
he worked wjrh the Educational Opportunity· Program as a Student Outreach
Worker / Recruiter, and the Political Science Department as an administrative research assistant. His work, since 1980. with
See outreach page 4
-~
...
Contributing photo by Tony Olmos
By Maria Esther Garcia
Staff Writer
.
~
Labor leader Cesar Chavez and 100
grape workers from Delano and other San
Joaquin valley farm workers protested health
threats that they and their children face _
rom dangerous pesticides used on area
vineyards ori February 5, at the Center
Plaza Holiday Inn while the
California Table Grape Commission awarded scholarships to students from the Fresno
area.
Picketers waived black flags with a
white skull and crossbones. One of the
banners read, "La Desgracia de las Pesticidas," and shouted ••Boycott the Grapes!"
Bobby de la Cruz, Legislative Director
of the United Farm Workers (U.F.W.)
explained that the U. F. W. was not protesting the scholarships that were being issued
by the farmers , rather they were protesting
against the pesticides which the grape
growers are using in the fields.
Dolores Huerta , Vice-President of the
U.F.W. said, ••This isn't the first time
we've gathered to protest, nor is it the last
We will continue to protest until justice is
achieved for the farm laborers."
Cesar Chavez rebellina: for justice
"We are here to protest because the
growers refuse to ban five pesticides
which are causing hundreds and thousands
of deaths and illnesses to farm workers
and-their families, "stated Chavez. He said
••th.e boycott on the grapes will eventually
put pressure on the farmers to stop using
these pesticides. This boycott will expand
througout the valley, California and the
United States."
On January 7, 1986 Chavez unveiled a
new ••wrath of Grapes" campaign which ·
focuses even more directly on the pesticide
peril. The boycott will counter grape
growers' television ads featuring fresh
grapes as a natural snack .
"The Wrath of Grapes" symbolizes the
veto of the field posting bill, the death of
Juan Chabolla, the killing , maiming, and
poisoning of thousands of other farm
workers and their children- through the
wreckless use of deadly poison in
agriculture. It also represents the threats
posed to consumers by pesticide residues
contained in fresh grapes and other
produce.
••we won't stop rebelling qntil there is
justice," state_d Chave,..z.
Page4
LOPEZ
officers created the controntation,~• said
Quintana.
.
A few· days after the Lopez shooting.
Clovis police received a phone call about a
man firing a riffle. A call was made to the
Fresno Tactile squad and they quickly
responded. They surrounded the residence.
After three hours of persuasion, police
convinced the suspect to surrender.
Ray Williams, a felony fugitive from
the law, considered armed was also
apprehended by police in Clovis. Tear gas
was used again, and he was not shot.
These are two of many examples that
convince Quintana that there is a discrimination problem in our justice system.
Unfortunately the Lopez shooting was
not the first of its kind . On January I,
1985, Raul Rangel Jr., 18 years old, was
also shot by the Fresno police. Rangel like
Lopez held an unioa.ucd gun. According .
to Quintana, .. there are certain similarities
between these two particular shootings
Rangel and Lopez were cous1ns. They
both came from poor backgrounds, and
both received bias coverage by the Fresno
Bee." However, Quintana states that their
biggest similarity and crime was that "they
were both high school drop-outs, and victims of the system."
On February 4, 1986, M.A.P.A. held a
demonstration at City Hall in order to
raise support from the community regarding the Lopez shooting. Quintana said
that the demonstration was "only the
beginning': He feels that a whole scale plan
of action is necessary from the police.
According to Quintana .. the entire justice
system has to be reviewed. We want some
changes and results if possible before your
brother becomes number three in the
series."
OUTREACH
Contact-Fresno as a voiunteer counselor
provides a valuable background experience
us.eful.to his prese°'tjob with the Graduate
Outreach Service. .
,
According to Robert Castorena theGraduate Outreach Service helps contribute toward the advancement of minorities
and women, but as in all programs there is
always room for more improvement. Cas-
Editor-Maria Belen Rodriquez
Co-editor, -Frank Aviles
Staff Writers:
Marcela Angeles, Martha Camacho,
Lourdes Espinosa, Sara Laris,
Margaret Sandoval
torena explained that the "Graduate Outreach Service (GOS) is a tip of the iceburg
of what can be done to encourage minorities and women to continue to graduate
school. The more that the campus administration, faculty, student and community, realize that there is a need to encourage and support the idea of promoting
graduate school for underrepresented so
that progress will be made." For further
information about graduate studies please
contact Robert Castorena or Lynda
Robinson at 294-2448 or the Thomas
Administration Building Room 132.
Production- Ted Romero
Photographer-Lawrence T over
La V01. de Aztlan is a special publication of The Daily
Collegian and as such is a member of the California
Intercollegiate Press Association .
The opinions published on this page are not necessarily
those of La Voz de Aztlan or its staff. Editorials are
unsigned and are the opinion of the paper\ editor.
Pancho and Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
You can tell my problem right away, probably. I need writing
help. So many good writers are in my English 1 class and I am
embarressed. I didn't turn my first paper and now I am flunking
this class. I want to write good . I have to write good if I want to
be a graduate of college. I am ready to work hard but I do not
know what to do.
Sincerely
Essay less
•I'
Dear Essayless,
Dear Essayless,
You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You 're not the only student
with a writing problem. The first thing that you might want to do
is visit the Learning Assistance Center. You might also want to
talk to your professor about it. He will probably be able to give
you some out of class exercises that will help improve your
writing skills.
Take advantage of the tutorial services that are available to
you on campus. Use the tutorial services offered by EOP
(located in the Joyal Administration building on the second
floor), the Learning Assistance Center, and the English writing
lab which is worth one unit of credit. Not turning in your
homework will only make things worse. You should find out if
you can make up past assignments.
You should not compare yourself to others, but rather try to
concentrate on doing your best in the class.
Sincerely,
~
Pancho
Sympathetically yours,
Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
Dear Uncommitted,
I have a very nice boy friend and his name is Jose. He buys me
flQwers,takes me out to eat, and buys me a lot of gifts. There's
one problem, I am not ready to commit myself to one person.
I'm a college student and I don't want a boyfriend to interfere
with my·-studies, but then again I don't want to lose him. What
should I do?
It would be very unfair to Jose if you didn't let him know how
you felt about him. Who knows? He might even feel the same
about you.
·
Sincerely,
Simply,
Pancho and Juanita
Uncommitted.
Please write to Pancho and Juanita if you have any questions,
problems or comments.
Send your letters to: La Voz de Aztlan, Keatz Campus. Pancho
and Juanita will respond to your letter as soon as possible.
CALIFORNIA STATE
UNIVERSITY
FRESNO ·
Dr. Arciniega •·addresses hi her
By Randy Guerra
Staff Writer
education
The Chicano Latino Student
Association launched its first of many
planned Chicano Lecture series on
February 5th, with Dr. Arciniega as the
guest speaker who addressed the issue of
the importance of minorities in higher
education.
Dr. Tomas Arciniega , President of
California State University Bakersfield,
and forme,r CSU, Fresno vice-president ·
Of Academic Affairs was back on campus
to discuss this vital issue and offer possible
solutions to · this serious and complex
problem.
Dr. Arciniega feels that '"there has been
very little progress in attempts to provide
equal opportunity to Chicanos at levels of
higher education." According to Arciniega
this is because the focus of th9se in power
of implementing educational 'reform are
focusing too much on increasing the quality
of education instead of providing equal
educational opportunity across the board,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Arciniega quoted Bernard Harleston 's
viewpoint on this matter which states, "In
dealing with this probl~m, we must ask
first how do we keep 'minorh.ie~ -in schoo(
then address the issue of how we can
improve the quality of education."
"The present tendency of the educational
administrative body to replace opportunity
as a term defined as 'academic excellence'
needs to be changed," said Arceniega. The
undercurrent of. this train of thought he _
said "ts the need to limit access, which in
actuality limits educational access to only
those who are destined to be successful."
Dr. Arciniega 's experience as a mem her
of the commission which compiles state
wide data dealing with Hispanics and
higher education revealed astonishing facts
which decry the effectiveness of the present
educational reform policies. Arceniega
stated, "Hispanics are the most underrepresented groups in California. The
drop-out rate of Chicanos in urban areas
is between 40-50%, moreover in higher
Chi.c ano demographic concentrated areas
the precentage is even higher.
According to Arciniega, "Chicano enrollment in higher educational institutions
since the _I 960's Civil Rights era has been
negligible and since 1976 the short lived
improvements such as EOP, introduction
to Chicano-Latino Studies on college
curriculums has decreased."
Dr. Arciniega is impatient with a-system
that graduates Chicano students from
high school who are unprepared for higher
education, 60% of which are forced to
enter the Jr. College level. Even more
alarming stated Arciniega, is the fact that
Qf these percentages only very small
numbers of minorities actually graduate
from the University."
Arciniega stated that "too much time is
being spent by administrators proclaiming
their fairness of allowing minorities into .
their hollowed halls instead of concentrating ones efforts to enhance continued
progress, and more importantly on graduation."
Dr. Arciniega feels that the government
posture has to be changed. He compared
his ideals of Higher Education to those of
Lyndon B. Johnson who stated: "The
Higher Education Act would provide the .
opportunity for any graduating senior to
attend ar:id. apply to any university in the
U.S. and not be neglected because he is
poor." Jolfnson .also stated, said Arciniega "I could never rest until all people
had the opportunity to open that door." ·
Lawrence Tover
Dr.
Arciniega speaks out at CSUF
Dr. Arciniega said,:''the present posture
increase minority enrollment in higher
of the federal administration to decrease
education. Among the many solutions,.
financial aid, funding grants, and the proDr. Arciniega stated, "on an academic
posed revision of college entrance re-. · level, present tracking of students should
be utilized by more carefully analyzing
quirements that will take place in 1988 will
and preparing the direction for necessary
only augment the problem of educational
inequality."
.
college preparatory courses; faculty who
· He decries the indisputable fact that
are aware and sensitive to cultural pluralminorities comprise the greatest faction of. · istic ideals should be recruited; counselors
should inform prospective students and
those to be affected by these changes and
thefr fa~llies about college requirements,
finds this to be criminial and immoraJ,.
financial aid options and programs for.
The ,l atter part of Arceniega 's speech
attempted to provide solutions in order to . which they may be eligible." ·
Perception ofChang.e insChool .board
· By Frank Aviles
Staff Writer
For a long time the Chicano Commun-- ·
ity in the Fresno district has been under~ .·
represented. In the past the school board
has failed to focus its attention where it is
needed, in the Central and Southeast ·
Fresno schools where the population is
highly Hispanic.
·
According to Ben Benavidez, President
of JOVEN (Juvenile Organizations for
Viable Education Now), "the major prob- ..
!ems are centered in the Central and Southeast Fresno schools and something needs
to be done."
·
"The over:crowded conditions in some
of these schools is ridiculous. Schools that .
should be about 500-600 in population·
currently have between 1100-1200 students," said Benavidez. He said this causes ·
schools to run year around.
He added that "some of these schools
have very poor air conditioning systems
which makes it difficult for students to
concentrate in class."
"Going to school year round is very
detrimental to the Chicano Community
since most of the Chicano students need
the summer to work in order for their
families to have ·just the normal things
that other people have such as food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities," added
Benavidez.
According to Benavidez, the school
board has neglectedto .take ca~e ofthese
and other problems that exist in the Cen. frat and Southeast Fresno•school districtsuch as the.high drop-out rate, suspension
rate and . tow . proficiency scores.
.
. "We need
Chicano on the school :
board. Someone wh_o will represent the ·
Chicano community and who. can sensitize with Chicano related. problems in .the
schools,,; stated Benav:idez. ·
·
According to Dr. Gernld McMenamin,_
Linquistic professor at CSU F and current sch-00I board member, "it would def- .·
initely help if they bad a. Hispanic· on· the ·
school board. The school board represents the people and· not having a Chicano .
· on the school ·board means that not all
people are being represented -."
· [f the board members were elected by
districts · instead of at large, Dr. McMenamin believes that there would most
· likely be a Chicano on the school board to
· represent Hispanics.
Dr. McMenamin, an active member of ,
Chicano organizations, feels that he along
with Mary Curry, who is also a school
board member, will be able to contribute
. to the minority community. "Neither of ·
the previous board members were connected to the Chicano community like I
am," stated Dr. McMenamin, "nor were
they connected to the Black community
like Mary Curry.
We are interested in forming a task force on exce11ence in which the cornmun-
a
a
hy; businesses and fac•uJty will.get together· · minority students can't.achieve.'•
If progress amongst the Central and
·and try to solve these problems as a
Southeast Fresno schools is to be made,
whole," stated Dr. McMenamin.
.
. Dr. McMenamin said that "one of the · both Dr. McMenamin and Benavidez
u·nderli.ned pr.oblems for minority students . believe that t~ese problems must be .immec:f iate_ly addressed. ·
'
is· that too · many . people . believe that
·Colnmunity OutragecJ
By Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
· You are a teenager in 1986, living in ·
Southeast Fresno. Yo·u are alone with the
lights off and you hear people moving
around your home. You're not alone. You
grab a gun, -just in ca·se, after all you do
live in an escalating crime rate neighborhood. Someone knocks. You open the
door and see· an unidentified man with a
gun pointed at you. Do you or don't yqu
point your gun?
According to Frank Quintana, President of Fresno County Mexican American Political Association ( M.A. P.A.), the
preceding could be the way Ronald Lopez
was shot on January 25, ·1986.
According to reports, 16 year old Lopez
was shot by officer Raymond Holquinn in
"self defense." Lopez, a resident of Sou-
theast Fresno, pointed ~n empty J:iandgun
at Holquinn on Friday, January 25, 1986
around 11 :00 p.m.
Self def!!nse is not the issue . here, ·
according to Quintana but rather "proper
police procedure. "Quintan_a said, "I think
the whole approach of how it · was handeled was ·u·njustifiabl~."
Quintana believes that the Lopez shooting could have been avoided, had proper
police procedure been taken. Quintana
pointed out that if the officers had identified themselves instead oftiptoingaround
the Lopez residence, driven up to the
Lopez home with blaring sirens informing
of their arrival, used tear gas or blown
horns to coax him out , then perhaps
Lopez would still be alive today. '.'The
See Lopez page 4
Page2
EDITORIAL
NEOChicanismo
In the past the Chicano has been defined
as someone who is political or involved in
a social struggle. lt has to be understood
that one is not Chicano solely because one
is politically aware or actively involved in
a struggle. The Chicano is solely defined
by culture or subculture, although both
are an important aspect of the Chicano.
Being Chicano implies more than a state
of consciousness (awareness). It is an experience, a life lived by some.one in the
United States whose heritage is found in
Mexican ancestry.
The Chicano experience is a positive
experience despite the negative stimuli
given by certain elements within society.
In recent years the emergence of the "His panic,"
a generic term, which denotes passivity or
neutrality, has and had a dulling effect
upon the senses of the Chicano and other
Latinos. The term Hispanic implies a nonperson, and has the same spiritual depth
found in Muzak (supermarket music). In
the 1980's a reawakening has occured
amongst Chicanos which has been termed
Neo-chicanismo. Neo-chicanismo is a synthesis of the sophistication found in the
t 980's and a reawakening of the conwithin the government are attempting to
sciousness which propelled the Chicano in
dismantle Affirmative Action Programs,
the 1960's. It was a force which in spiritual
not because these programs are not affecterms expressed itself into a stubborn
tive, but rather because they are a reflecnation which was drowning itself in selftion of a society which necessitates that
righteousness. It was a time when the
they exist. It would be insane to believe
doors of opportunity were closed to the
that the removal of Affirmative Action
Chicano and other people of color. Since
Programs will allow the system to make
that time; limited opportunity has been
the necessary corrections. It must be rememgiven, by some it has been given relucbered that programs such as Attirmauvetantly. The generic term Hispanic gives
Action are merely symbolic of a nation's
the illusion that equality has been
conscientious effort to rectify what the
achieved, but the fact is that equality has
system has failed to correct in order to
not been reached, and until that time no
move this nation one step further toward
one should boast or pretensions that it has
the ideal society which is the "American
been reached.
Dream."
It needs to be understood that equality
It should be noted that the Simpson
and justice in essence is more than having
Mazzoli bill introduced to Congress at its
a job, although a good indicator of ininception advocated in subtle tones that a
equality and injustice is that a larger propassport be carried by anyone of Chicanoportion of Chicanos and other people of
Latino descent. This bill would have officolor are unemployed in comparison to
cially instituted a system equal to South
the nation's total population. It should
Africa's Apartheid. Some have argued
a_1_so_be...,...po•i•n-te•d•o•u•t-th•a•t•c•er~t-a1.·n_i_n_fl.ue.n..c,_es___t_h_at_!.he system currently exists in our
Editor Speaks·Out
In the next few years to come the Chicano will be facing extreme
problems in attaining the right to an education in this country what so many of our brothers and sisters fought so hard and gave
their lives for throughout our history. With the high drop-out rate
that exists today both at the high school level as well as in the
university, the raising of the admissions requirements, cutbacks in
financial aid and guarantee student loans - our struggle continues.
I recently conducted a random survey amongst Chicano stu- ·
dents from different high schools throughout Fresno. The first
question that was asked was,"''Are you aware of the severe Chicano
drop-out rate problem that exists?" The majority of the students
said "no." This so called "unawareness" seems to run rampant not
only amongst students but also with school counselors, teachers
and administrators. When I asked counselors and administrators
for the percentage of Chicano drop-outs in their school, neither
one of them gave the amount, instead many said that they ha,d
much more students graduating now then they have ever had"
before. They did not say we have more Chicano students graduating.
It is imperative that administrators, counselors and teachers
know what the statistics are in order to attempt to guide their
students more effectively towards a higher education, as well as
improve the curriculum which is being taught, or even the teachers'
method of operation. I realize. that there are a myriad amount of
reasons as to why Chicanos drop-out of high school, but when the
percentages are as high as they are today, one can only believe that
somewhere along their educational experience a need was not met.
I am often dismayed at how often in the newspaper, television
and radio "alarming statistics" of minority drop-out rates are
discovered by so and so's research.
People are spending valuable time investigating and studying the
. nation but operates at a more refinedand
sophisticated manner.
Futhermore, the Simpson-Mazzoli bill
has attempted to blame U.S. economic
troubles on a people, namely the ChicanoLatino of human dignity. The true essence
of the Simpson-Mazzoli bill is that it sees
the emergence of the Neo-chicano, and is
threatened because they are realizing their
potential in all segments of society.
The Neo-Chicano does not need to
prove anything to anyone. He is well
aware of his abilities, therefore confident,
yet ·not arrogant. He is no longer affected
by non-truth (lies) perpetuated by those
who desire to oppress him. This is the
essence of the Neo-chicano's power.
The fact that Neo-chicanos understand
the society in which they live allows them
to increase their ability to function within
that society, yet does not look down upon
others who are not yet able to, but makes
every effort to help them. lt should also be
noted that Neo-chicanos do not allow
themselves to be used to oppress others
regardless of gains they can make for
themselves or others. Neo-chicanos care
about humanity; and have no desire to
oppress anyone, yet will no longer allow
themselves to be oppressed.
ln conclusion, the Neo-chicano no
longer sits passively to be given an identity, but rather has awakened to the identity which always resided within him. In
the Neo.:.chicano a new excitement and
energy is expressed. The eyes of the :Neochicano reflect the new spirit and speak
from a poi~t of awareness.
*note: The terms Chicano and Neo-chicano
denote both the male and female.
•
By Robert Castorena
Senator, School of Graduate Studies
problem of drop-outs, rather than doing ~omethini
about it. It's simple - just take a good look around campus and see
how many Chican·o students from your own graduating class are
here.
The administration is not changing, that's why it is imperativethat the Chicano community and organizations take some sort of
action to help those students who are struggling to obtain an
education or fear that higher education is not for them, especially
now with the raising of the college entrance requirements. Let's not
exhibit the same naivete that so many of the peo·ple in positions
who could make a difference seem to maintain. Voice your concerns. Only by -posing valid questions can we expect to get answers.
Just remember that everytime you drop a book, you make it
harder for the next Chicano to pick it up.
Radio Chicano
Every- Sunday at
11 :30-12:00 noon on
KFSR, 90. 7 presents
a Public Affairs program with the Chicano-Latino perspective.
· Page 3
SPOTLIGHT
Sy Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
Chicanas on the move. That phrase vividly describes one such Chicana here on
campus, Jeanette Villanueva, Public Affairs Director at KSFR. Not only is she
the first Chicana Public Affairs Director,
but she has also become an exemplary role
model for Chicanos to follow.
Villanueva was born in 1962 in Oxnard,
California and is the eldest of five children. Her parents, both college graduates,
have always encouraged her to pursue a
college education.
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort she has put into it. She
graduated from Santa Clara High School
where she was actively involved in the student council , cheerleading, and the school
newspaper. She later attended Ventura
Junior College where she received her
Associate of Arts degree.
In 1983, Villanueva along with her best
friend moved to Fresno to attend CSU F
at the age of twenty. She saw this move as
"quite a change ." It was the first time she
had left her family and home for more
than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location. lt was far
enough from home to gain independance,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits.
Villanueva is currently twenty-threeears old, a senior, majoring in radio-t.v.
Lawrence T over
Jeanette Villanueva behind her desk at KFSR
and minoring in journalism. The first job
she had relating to her field of study was
working as a news assistant for K MJ 58 .
Last semester Villanueva completed her
internship at Channel 30. However, she
now concentrates herself at KFSR where
she is the Public Affairs Director and
hosts a talkshow every Sunday from l :00·
2:00 g.m. on various issues. Villa.n ueva
Commencement begins
By Maricela Angeles
Staff Writer
The Chicano Commencement honors
Chicano graduates for their academic
achievements and recognizes their individual accomplishments. This celebration
is an opportunity for the entire community, family and friends to honor and support the Chicano graduates.
"According to Manuel Olgin "planning
for the annual Chicano Commencerpent
. celebration takes a lot of hard work and
dedication. The sincere appreciation and
gratitude one obtains from the graduates ·
and their families is like no other. It gives a
special warm feeling that makes all that
time and work worth the effort."
"Graduating from college is a once in a
life time thing. Nobody gives you your
degree. You have to earn it, and we respect
that," stated Olgin.
. This special event is used as a recruiting
cJevice. It's all about role models. Olgin
said "it shows that it's not too late and that
if they can do it, so can you."
"This bilingual event ·is sponsored by
also works at KSJV and Radio Bilingue
doing indepth interviews .
On Campus, she is actively involved in
the Minority Media Association, AER HO
(a national broadcasting fraternity) and
CLSA.
After graduating, Villanueva hopes to
work her way up the ladder in radio-t.v,
with the emphasis on television. She hopes
the Chicano Alumni Association. Most of
the work and dedication that goes into
this event is carried out by the Chicano
Commencement Committee along with a
strong community support input. Unfortunately the committee discontinued their
· meetings on November due to the uncer•
tainty of the new commencement ceremony date.
••The change of date has complicated
and delayed preparations that had been
made a year in advance," stated Olgin . As
a result decisions for new preparations
have to be made without delay. Olgin
encourages students to join and participate immediately if they wish to have
input. Meetings will take place every
Wednesday, begining the second week of
school, at 6:00 p.m. in · the Learning
A~sistance Center. Everyone is welcome.
to begin as a reporter and eventually
. become an anchorwoman . There have
been many job opportunities for her here
in the San Joaquin Valley, but he hopes
to return to Southern California and her
family a oon as possible.
Although women and minorities are
growing in the field of radio-t.v., "we
alway need more," said Villanueva.
"Pushing education at an early age and
being able to relate to your child" i one of
the ways Villanueva believe that the Chicano can progress.
When asked how she felt about being a
Chicana Villanueva said, "it i an honor,
not a downfall."
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort that she has put into it.
She graduated from Santa Clara High
School where she was actively involved in
the student council, cheerleading, and the
school newspaper. She later at tented Ventura Junior College where he received her
associated of Arts degree .
In 1983,at the age of twenty , Villanueva
along with her best friend moved to
Fresno to attend CSUF. She aw thi
move as "quite a change. "It wa the fir t
time she had left her family and home for
more than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location . It was far
enough from home to gain independence,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits .
This celebration is_ for anyone who has
attended or graduated from Fresno State,
or for friends of people from CSU, Fresno.
If yo.u are interested in attending the meetings or being part of the Chicano Commencement Committee please contact
· Manuel Olgin .at 294-3052.
,
' Olgin announced that applications for
the Chicano Commencement Committee
celebration are now available at the
Learning Assistance Center.
"The committee is in desperate need of
funds to hold this event," said Olgin. He
wishes to invite interested individuals to
become tnembers of the Chicano Alumni
Associaton and also urges the cooperation and involvement of anyone interested
to join and participate on a f\Umber of
act1V1ties and fund raisers which wil be
held in the near future.
Outreach
By Peter Tapia
Contributing Writer
The Graduate Outreach was developed
through a cooperative effort by the Division of Graduate Studies and Resec:trch,
and the Office of the Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs and Special projects fun~ed through its activities
during the Fall semester of 1982.
The uniqueness of this effort is that it is
staffed and maintained by two graduate
students - Peer Recruiters. Many other
universities employ full-time recruiters, or
use faculty / staff part-time . Graduate students are able to use the experiences that
they have gained and apply them to
advise and counsel potential students .The
use of student assistants permits the
Graduate Outreach effort to be staffed on
a "full-time" basis; each recruiter works
twenty hours a week. The recruiters' position provides an opportunity for financing their education. while gaining valua.ble experience working for the university.
The Graduate Outreach office has hired
students from the graduate program of'
Mass Communication . Coun eling, Spanish, International Relations , and Education. The Peer Recruiters are Robert Castorena and Lynda Robin son . under the
supervision of the Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research. Dr. Uavid
A. Ross.
The Graduate Outreach Service exists
to increase and diversify the enrollment of
minority students in the unversity's fortytwo graduate programs. The specific student population that have been identified
for this service are Native Americans.
Blacks, Chicanos, and Hispanics. although
any student who inquires about graduate
studies may receive advising, counseling,
and other information. The Peer Recru- .
iters have met with several representatives
of Student Support Services, as well as
graduate faculty, advisors, coordinators,
. and chairpersons in order to develop
activities to encourage the potential postbaccalaureate application to matriculate
at the University . The recruiters look forward to th'e development of additional •
activities, and welcome inquiries from
interested parties, from both on and offcampus offices, departments and organizations.
The Graduate Outreach Servic~ works
toward augmenting minority enrollment
at the graduate level so that parity with
both undergraduate enrollment and the
university's service area may be attained
To this end, the program provides answers,
referrals, and services to prospective
· applicants regarding graduate studies.
Robert Castorena has served as a Peer
Recruiter since the Spring of 1985. He was
awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics from California State University. Fresno in 1982. Robert is a graduate
student in the Political Science DeparEment. Robert's extensive work experience
with minority students is an important
asset to the Graduate Outreach Service.
Prior to becoming a Graduate Recruiter,
he worked wjrh the Educational Opportunity· Program as a Student Outreach
Worker / Recruiter, and the Political Science Department as an administrative research assistant. His work, since 1980. with
See outreach page 4
-~
...
Contributing photo by Tony Olmos
By Maria Esther Garcia
Staff Writer
.
~
Labor leader Cesar Chavez and 100
grape workers from Delano and other San
Joaquin valley farm workers protested health
threats that they and their children face _
rom dangerous pesticides used on area
vineyards ori February 5, at the Center
Plaza Holiday Inn while the
California Table Grape Commission awarded scholarships to students from the Fresno
area.
Picketers waived black flags with a
white skull and crossbones. One of the
banners read, "La Desgracia de las Pesticidas," and shouted ••Boycott the Grapes!"
Bobby de la Cruz, Legislative Director
of the United Farm Workers (U.F.W.)
explained that the U. F. W. was not protesting the scholarships that were being issued
by the farmers , rather they were protesting
against the pesticides which the grape
growers are using in the fields.
Dolores Huerta , Vice-President of the
U.F.W. said, ••This isn't the first time
we've gathered to protest, nor is it the last
We will continue to protest until justice is
achieved for the farm laborers."
Cesar Chavez rebellina: for justice
"We are here to protest because the
growers refuse to ban five pesticides
which are causing hundreds and thousands
of deaths and illnesses to farm workers
and-their families, "stated Chavez. He said
••th.e boycott on the grapes will eventually
put pressure on the farmers to stop using
these pesticides. This boycott will expand
througout the valley, California and the
United States."
On January 7, 1986 Chavez unveiled a
new ••wrath of Grapes" campaign which ·
focuses even more directly on the pesticide
peril. The boycott will counter grape
growers' television ads featuring fresh
grapes as a natural snack .
"The Wrath of Grapes" symbolizes the
veto of the field posting bill, the death of
Juan Chabolla, the killing , maiming, and
poisoning of thousands of other farm
workers and their children- through the
wreckless use of deadly poison in
agriculture. It also represents the threats
posed to consumers by pesticide residues
contained in fresh grapes and other
produce.
••we won't stop rebelling qntil there is
justice," state_d Chave,..z.
Page4
LOPEZ
officers created the controntation,~• said
Quintana.
.
A few· days after the Lopez shooting.
Clovis police received a phone call about a
man firing a riffle. A call was made to the
Fresno Tactile squad and they quickly
responded. They surrounded the residence.
After three hours of persuasion, police
convinced the suspect to surrender.
Ray Williams, a felony fugitive from
the law, considered armed was also
apprehended by police in Clovis. Tear gas
was used again, and he was not shot.
These are two of many examples that
convince Quintana that there is a discrimination problem in our justice system.
Unfortunately the Lopez shooting was
not the first of its kind . On January I,
1985, Raul Rangel Jr., 18 years old, was
also shot by the Fresno police. Rangel like
Lopez held an unioa.ucd gun. According .
to Quintana, .. there are certain similarities
between these two particular shootings
Rangel and Lopez were cous1ns. They
both came from poor backgrounds, and
both received bias coverage by the Fresno
Bee." However, Quintana states that their
biggest similarity and crime was that "they
were both high school drop-outs, and victims of the system."
On February 4, 1986, M.A.P.A. held a
demonstration at City Hall in order to
raise support from the community regarding the Lopez shooting. Quintana said
that the demonstration was "only the
beginning': He feels that a whole scale plan
of action is necessary from the police.
According to Quintana .. the entire justice
system has to be reviewed. We want some
changes and results if possible before your
brother becomes number three in the
series."
OUTREACH
Contact-Fresno as a voiunteer counselor
provides a valuable background experience
us.eful.to his prese°'tjob with the Graduate
Outreach Service. .
,
According to Robert Castorena theGraduate Outreach Service helps contribute toward the advancement of minorities
and women, but as in all programs there is
always room for more improvement. Cas-
Editor-Maria Belen Rodriquez
Co-editor, -Frank Aviles
Staff Writers:
Marcela Angeles, Martha Camacho,
Lourdes Espinosa, Sara Laris,
Margaret Sandoval
torena explained that the "Graduate Outreach Service (GOS) is a tip of the iceburg
of what can be done to encourage minorities and women to continue to graduate
school. The more that the campus administration, faculty, student and community, realize that there is a need to encourage and support the idea of promoting
graduate school for underrepresented so
that progress will be made." For further
information about graduate studies please
contact Robert Castorena or Lynda
Robinson at 294-2448 or the Thomas
Administration Building Room 132.
Production- Ted Romero
Photographer-Lawrence T over
La V01. de Aztlan is a special publication of The Daily
Collegian and as such is a member of the California
Intercollegiate Press Association .
The opinions published on this page are not necessarily
those of La Voz de Aztlan or its staff. Editorials are
unsigned and are the opinion of the paper\ editor.
Pancho and Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
You can tell my problem right away, probably. I need writing
help. So many good writers are in my English 1 class and I am
embarressed. I didn't turn my first paper and now I am flunking
this class. I want to write good . I have to write good if I want to
be a graduate of college. I am ready to work hard but I do not
know what to do.
Sincerely
Essay less
•I'
Dear Essayless,
Dear Essayless,
You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You 're not the only student
with a writing problem. The first thing that you might want to do
is visit the Learning Assistance Center. You might also want to
talk to your professor about it. He will probably be able to give
you some out of class exercises that will help improve your
writing skills.
Take advantage of the tutorial services that are available to
you on campus. Use the tutorial services offered by EOP
(located in the Joyal Administration building on the second
floor), the Learning Assistance Center, and the English writing
lab which is worth one unit of credit. Not turning in your
homework will only make things worse. You should find out if
you can make up past assignments.
You should not compare yourself to others, but rather try to
concentrate on doing your best in the class.
Sincerely,
~
Pancho
Sympathetically yours,
Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
Dear Uncommitted,
I have a very nice boy friend and his name is Jose. He buys me
flQwers,takes me out to eat, and buys me a lot of gifts. There's
one problem, I am not ready to commit myself to one person.
I'm a college student and I don't want a boyfriend to interfere
with my·-studies, but then again I don't want to lose him. What
should I do?
It would be very unfair to Jose if you didn't let him know how
you felt about him. Who knows? He might even feel the same
about you.
·
Sincerely,
Simply,
Pancho and Juanita
Uncommitted.
Please write to Pancho and Juanita if you have any questions,
problems or comments.
Send your letters to: La Voz de Aztlan, Keatz Campus. Pancho
and Juanita will respond to your letter as soon as possible.
UNIVERSITY
FRESNO ·
Dr. Arciniega •·addresses hi her
By Randy Guerra
Staff Writer
education
The Chicano Latino Student
Association launched its first of many
planned Chicano Lecture series on
February 5th, with Dr. Arciniega as the
guest speaker who addressed the issue of
the importance of minorities in higher
education.
Dr. Tomas Arciniega , President of
California State University Bakersfield,
and forme,r CSU, Fresno vice-president ·
Of Academic Affairs was back on campus
to discuss this vital issue and offer possible
solutions to · this serious and complex
problem.
Dr. Arciniega feels that '"there has been
very little progress in attempts to provide
equal opportunity to Chicanos at levels of
higher education." According to Arciniega
this is because the focus of th9se in power
of implementing educational 'reform are
focusing too much on increasing the quality
of education instead of providing equal
educational opportunity across the board,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Arciniega quoted Bernard Harleston 's
viewpoint on this matter which states, "In
dealing with this probl~m, we must ask
first how do we keep 'minorh.ie~ -in schoo(
then address the issue of how we can
improve the quality of education."
"The present tendency of the educational
administrative body to replace opportunity
as a term defined as 'academic excellence'
needs to be changed," said Arceniega. The
undercurrent of. this train of thought he _
said "ts the need to limit access, which in
actuality limits educational access to only
those who are destined to be successful."
Dr. Arciniega 's experience as a mem her
of the commission which compiles state
wide data dealing with Hispanics and
higher education revealed astonishing facts
which decry the effectiveness of the present
educational reform policies. Arceniega
stated, "Hispanics are the most underrepresented groups in California. The
drop-out rate of Chicanos in urban areas
is between 40-50%, moreover in higher
Chi.c ano demographic concentrated areas
the precentage is even higher.
According to Arciniega, "Chicano enrollment in higher educational institutions
since the _I 960's Civil Rights era has been
negligible and since 1976 the short lived
improvements such as EOP, introduction
to Chicano-Latino Studies on college
curriculums has decreased."
Dr. Arciniega is impatient with a-system
that graduates Chicano students from
high school who are unprepared for higher
education, 60% of which are forced to
enter the Jr. College level. Even more
alarming stated Arciniega, is the fact that
Qf these percentages only very small
numbers of minorities actually graduate
from the University."
Arciniega stated that "too much time is
being spent by administrators proclaiming
their fairness of allowing minorities into .
their hollowed halls instead of concentrating ones efforts to enhance continued
progress, and more importantly on graduation."
Dr. Arciniega feels that the government
posture has to be changed. He compared
his ideals of Higher Education to those of
Lyndon B. Johnson who stated: "The
Higher Education Act would provide the .
opportunity for any graduating senior to
attend ar:id. apply to any university in the
U.S. and not be neglected because he is
poor." Jolfnson .also stated, said Arciniega "I could never rest until all people
had the opportunity to open that door." ·
Lawrence Tover
Dr.
Arciniega speaks out at CSUF
Dr. Arciniega said,:''the present posture
increase minority enrollment in higher
of the federal administration to decrease
education. Among the many solutions,.
financial aid, funding grants, and the proDr. Arciniega stated, "on an academic
posed revision of college entrance re-. · level, present tracking of students should
be utilized by more carefully analyzing
quirements that will take place in 1988 will
and preparing the direction for necessary
only augment the problem of educational
inequality."
.
college preparatory courses; faculty who
· He decries the indisputable fact that
are aware and sensitive to cultural pluralminorities comprise the greatest faction of. · istic ideals should be recruited; counselors
should inform prospective students and
those to be affected by these changes and
thefr fa~llies about college requirements,
finds this to be criminial and immoraJ,.
financial aid options and programs for.
The ,l atter part of Arceniega 's speech
attempted to provide solutions in order to . which they may be eligible." ·
Perception ofChang.e insChool .board
· By Frank Aviles
Staff Writer
For a long time the Chicano Commun-- ·
ity in the Fresno district has been under~ .·
represented. In the past the school board
has failed to focus its attention where it is
needed, in the Central and Southeast ·
Fresno schools where the population is
highly Hispanic.
·
According to Ben Benavidez, President
of JOVEN (Juvenile Organizations for
Viable Education Now), "the major prob- ..
!ems are centered in the Central and Southeast Fresno schools and something needs
to be done."
·
"The over:crowded conditions in some
of these schools is ridiculous. Schools that .
should be about 500-600 in population·
currently have between 1100-1200 students," said Benavidez. He said this causes ·
schools to run year around.
He added that "some of these schools
have very poor air conditioning systems
which makes it difficult for students to
concentrate in class."
"Going to school year round is very
detrimental to the Chicano Community
since most of the Chicano students need
the summer to work in order for their
families to have ·just the normal things
that other people have such as food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities," added
Benavidez.
According to Benavidez, the school
board has neglectedto .take ca~e ofthese
and other problems that exist in the Cen. frat and Southeast Fresno•school districtsuch as the.high drop-out rate, suspension
rate and . tow . proficiency scores.
.
. "We need
Chicano on the school :
board. Someone wh_o will represent the ·
Chicano community and who. can sensitize with Chicano related. problems in .the
schools,,; stated Benav:idez. ·
·
According to Dr. Gernld McMenamin,_
Linquistic professor at CSU F and current sch-00I board member, "it would def- .·
initely help if they bad a. Hispanic· on· the ·
school board. The school board represents the people and· not having a Chicano .
· on the school ·board means that not all
people are being represented -."
· [f the board members were elected by
districts · instead of at large, Dr. McMenamin believes that there would most
· likely be a Chicano on the school board to
· represent Hispanics.
Dr. McMenamin, an active member of ,
Chicano organizations, feels that he along
with Mary Curry, who is also a school
board member, will be able to contribute
. to the minority community. "Neither of ·
the previous board members were connected to the Chicano community like I
am," stated Dr. McMenamin, "nor were
they connected to the Black community
like Mary Curry.
We are interested in forming a task force on exce11ence in which the cornmun-
a
a
hy; businesses and fac•uJty will.get together· · minority students can't.achieve.'•
If progress amongst the Central and
·and try to solve these problems as a
Southeast Fresno schools is to be made,
whole," stated Dr. McMenamin.
.
. Dr. McMenamin said that "one of the · both Dr. McMenamin and Benavidez
u·nderli.ned pr.oblems for minority students . believe that t~ese problems must be .immec:f iate_ly addressed. ·
'
is· that too · many . people . believe that
·Colnmunity OutragecJ
By Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
· You are a teenager in 1986, living in ·
Southeast Fresno. Yo·u are alone with the
lights off and you hear people moving
around your home. You're not alone. You
grab a gun, -just in ca·se, after all you do
live in an escalating crime rate neighborhood. Someone knocks. You open the
door and see· an unidentified man with a
gun pointed at you. Do you or don't yqu
point your gun?
According to Frank Quintana, President of Fresno County Mexican American Political Association ( M.A. P.A.), the
preceding could be the way Ronald Lopez
was shot on January 25, ·1986.
According to reports, 16 year old Lopez
was shot by officer Raymond Holquinn in
"self defense." Lopez, a resident of Sou-
theast Fresno, pointed ~n empty J:iandgun
at Holquinn on Friday, January 25, 1986
around 11 :00 p.m.
Self def!!nse is not the issue . here, ·
according to Quintana but rather "proper
police procedure. "Quintan_a said, "I think
the whole approach of how it · was handeled was ·u·njustifiabl~."
Quintana believes that the Lopez shooting could have been avoided, had proper
police procedure been taken. Quintana
pointed out that if the officers had identified themselves instead oftiptoingaround
the Lopez residence, driven up to the
Lopez home with blaring sirens informing
of their arrival, used tear gas or blown
horns to coax him out , then perhaps
Lopez would still be alive today. '.'The
See Lopez page 4
Page2
EDITORIAL
NEOChicanismo
In the past the Chicano has been defined
as someone who is political or involved in
a social struggle. lt has to be understood
that one is not Chicano solely because one
is politically aware or actively involved in
a struggle. The Chicano is solely defined
by culture or subculture, although both
are an important aspect of the Chicano.
Being Chicano implies more than a state
of consciousness (awareness). It is an experience, a life lived by some.one in the
United States whose heritage is found in
Mexican ancestry.
The Chicano experience is a positive
experience despite the negative stimuli
given by certain elements within society.
In recent years the emergence of the "His panic,"
a generic term, which denotes passivity or
neutrality, has and had a dulling effect
upon the senses of the Chicano and other
Latinos. The term Hispanic implies a nonperson, and has the same spiritual depth
found in Muzak (supermarket music). In
the 1980's a reawakening has occured
amongst Chicanos which has been termed
Neo-chicanismo. Neo-chicanismo is a synthesis of the sophistication found in the
t 980's and a reawakening of the conwithin the government are attempting to
sciousness which propelled the Chicano in
dismantle Affirmative Action Programs,
the 1960's. It was a force which in spiritual
not because these programs are not affecterms expressed itself into a stubborn
tive, but rather because they are a reflecnation which was drowning itself in selftion of a society which necessitates that
righteousness. It was a time when the
they exist. It would be insane to believe
doors of opportunity were closed to the
that the removal of Affirmative Action
Chicano and other people of color. Since
Programs will allow the system to make
that time; limited opportunity has been
the necessary corrections. It must be rememgiven, by some it has been given relucbered that programs such as Attirmauvetantly. The generic term Hispanic gives
Action are merely symbolic of a nation's
the illusion that equality has been
conscientious effort to rectify what the
achieved, but the fact is that equality has
system has failed to correct in order to
not been reached, and until that time no
move this nation one step further toward
one should boast or pretensions that it has
the ideal society which is the "American
been reached.
Dream."
It needs to be understood that equality
It should be noted that the Simpson
and justice in essence is more than having
Mazzoli bill introduced to Congress at its
a job, although a good indicator of ininception advocated in subtle tones that a
equality and injustice is that a larger propassport be carried by anyone of Chicanoportion of Chicanos and other people of
Latino descent. This bill would have officolor are unemployed in comparison to
cially instituted a system equal to South
the nation's total population. It should
Africa's Apartheid. Some have argued
a_1_so_be...,...po•i•n-te•d•o•u•t-th•a•t•c•er~t-a1.·n_i_n_fl.ue.n..c,_es___t_h_at_!.he system currently exists in our
Editor Speaks·Out
In the next few years to come the Chicano will be facing extreme
problems in attaining the right to an education in this country what so many of our brothers and sisters fought so hard and gave
their lives for throughout our history. With the high drop-out rate
that exists today both at the high school level as well as in the
university, the raising of the admissions requirements, cutbacks in
financial aid and guarantee student loans - our struggle continues.
I recently conducted a random survey amongst Chicano stu- ·
dents from different high schools throughout Fresno. The first
question that was asked was,"''Are you aware of the severe Chicano
drop-out rate problem that exists?" The majority of the students
said "no." This so called "unawareness" seems to run rampant not
only amongst students but also with school counselors, teachers
and administrators. When I asked counselors and administrators
for the percentage of Chicano drop-outs in their school, neither
one of them gave the amount, instead many said that they ha,d
much more students graduating now then they have ever had"
before. They did not say we have more Chicano students graduating.
It is imperative that administrators, counselors and teachers
know what the statistics are in order to attempt to guide their
students more effectively towards a higher education, as well as
improve the curriculum which is being taught, or even the teachers'
method of operation. I realize. that there are a myriad amount of
reasons as to why Chicanos drop-out of high school, but when the
percentages are as high as they are today, one can only believe that
somewhere along their educational experience a need was not met.
I am often dismayed at how often in the newspaper, television
and radio "alarming statistics" of minority drop-out rates are
discovered by so and so's research.
People are spending valuable time investigating and studying the
. nation but operates at a more refinedand
sophisticated manner.
Futhermore, the Simpson-Mazzoli bill
has attempted to blame U.S. economic
troubles on a people, namely the ChicanoLatino of human dignity. The true essence
of the Simpson-Mazzoli bill is that it sees
the emergence of the Neo-chicano, and is
threatened because they are realizing their
potential in all segments of society.
The Neo-Chicano does not need to
prove anything to anyone. He is well
aware of his abilities, therefore confident,
yet ·not arrogant. He is no longer affected
by non-truth (lies) perpetuated by those
who desire to oppress him. This is the
essence of the Neo-chicano's power.
The fact that Neo-chicanos understand
the society in which they live allows them
to increase their ability to function within
that society, yet does not look down upon
others who are not yet able to, but makes
every effort to help them. lt should also be
noted that Neo-chicanos do not allow
themselves to be used to oppress others
regardless of gains they can make for
themselves or others. Neo-chicanos care
about humanity; and have no desire to
oppress anyone, yet will no longer allow
themselves to be oppressed.
ln conclusion, the Neo-chicano no
longer sits passively to be given an identity, but rather has awakened to the identity which always resided within him. In
the Neo.:.chicano a new excitement and
energy is expressed. The eyes of the :Neochicano reflect the new spirit and speak
from a poi~t of awareness.
*note: The terms Chicano and Neo-chicano
denote both the male and female.
•
By Robert Castorena
Senator, School of Graduate Studies
problem of drop-outs, rather than doing ~omethini
about it. It's simple - just take a good look around campus and see
how many Chican·o students from your own graduating class are
here.
The administration is not changing, that's why it is imperativethat the Chicano community and organizations take some sort of
action to help those students who are struggling to obtain an
education or fear that higher education is not for them, especially
now with the raising of the college entrance requirements. Let's not
exhibit the same naivete that so many of the peo·ple in positions
who could make a difference seem to maintain. Voice your concerns. Only by -posing valid questions can we expect to get answers.
Just remember that everytime you drop a book, you make it
harder for the next Chicano to pick it up.
Radio Chicano
Every- Sunday at
11 :30-12:00 noon on
KFSR, 90. 7 presents
a Public Affairs program with the Chicano-Latino perspective.
· Page 3
SPOTLIGHT
Sy Lourdes Espinosa
Staff Writer
Chicanas on the move. That phrase vividly describes one such Chicana here on
campus, Jeanette Villanueva, Public Affairs Director at KSFR. Not only is she
the first Chicana Public Affairs Director,
but she has also become an exemplary role
model for Chicanos to follow.
Villanueva was born in 1962 in Oxnard,
California and is the eldest of five children. Her parents, both college graduates,
have always encouraged her to pursue a
college education.
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort she has put into it. She
graduated from Santa Clara High School
where she was actively involved in the student council , cheerleading, and the school
newspaper. She later attended Ventura
Junior College where she received her
Associate of Arts degree.
In 1983, Villanueva along with her best
friend moved to Fresno to attend CSU F
at the age of twenty. She saw this move as
"quite a change ." It was the first time she
had left her family and home for more
than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location. lt was far
enough from home to gain independance,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits.
Villanueva is currently twenty-threeears old, a senior, majoring in radio-t.v.
Lawrence T over
Jeanette Villanueva behind her desk at KFSR
and minoring in journalism. The first job
she had relating to her field of study was
working as a news assistant for K MJ 58 .
Last semester Villanueva completed her
internship at Channel 30. However, she
now concentrates herself at KFSR where
she is the Public Affairs Director and
hosts a talkshow every Sunday from l :00·
2:00 g.m. on various issues. Villa.n ueva
Commencement begins
By Maricela Angeles
Staff Writer
The Chicano Commencement honors
Chicano graduates for their academic
achievements and recognizes their individual accomplishments. This celebration
is an opportunity for the entire community, family and friends to honor and support the Chicano graduates.
"According to Manuel Olgin "planning
for the annual Chicano Commencerpent
. celebration takes a lot of hard work and
dedication. The sincere appreciation and
gratitude one obtains from the graduates ·
and their families is like no other. It gives a
special warm feeling that makes all that
time and work worth the effort."
"Graduating from college is a once in a
life time thing. Nobody gives you your
degree. You have to earn it, and we respect
that," stated Olgin.
. This special event is used as a recruiting
cJevice. It's all about role models. Olgin
said "it shows that it's not too late and that
if they can do it, so can you."
"This bilingual event ·is sponsored by
also works at KSJV and Radio Bilingue
doing indepth interviews .
On Campus, she is actively involved in
the Minority Media Association, AER HO
(a national broadcasting fraternity) and
CLSA.
After graduating, Villanueva hopes to
work her way up the ladder in radio-t.v,
with the emphasis on television. She hopes
the Chicano Alumni Association. Most of
the work and dedication that goes into
this event is carried out by the Chicano
Commencement Committee along with a
strong community support input. Unfortunately the committee discontinued their
· meetings on November due to the uncer•
tainty of the new commencement ceremony date.
••The change of date has complicated
and delayed preparations that had been
made a year in advance," stated Olgin . As
a result decisions for new preparations
have to be made without delay. Olgin
encourages students to join and participate immediately if they wish to have
input. Meetings will take place every
Wednesday, begining the second week of
school, at 6:00 p.m. in · the Learning
A~sistance Center. Everyone is welcome.
to begin as a reporter and eventually
. become an anchorwoman . There have
been many job opportunities for her here
in the San Joaquin Valley, but he hopes
to return to Southern California and her
family a oon as possible.
Although women and minorities are
growing in the field of radio-t.v., "we
alway need more," said Villanueva.
"Pushing education at an early age and
being able to relate to your child" i one of
the ways Villanueva believe that the Chicano can progress.
When asked how she felt about being a
Chicana Villanueva said, "it i an honor,
not a downfall."
Villanueva 's success is a reflection of
the time and effort that she has put into it.
She graduated from Santa Clara High
School where she was actively involved in
the student council, cheerleading, and the
school newspaper. She later at tented Ventura Junior College where he received her
associated of Arts degree .
In 1983,at the age of twenty , Villanueva
along with her best friend moved to
Fresno to attend CSUF. She aw thi
move as "quite a change. "It wa the fir t
time she had left her family and home for
more than a weekend. She chose to live in
Fresno because of its location . It was far
enough from home to gain independence,
yet close enough to go home for monthly
visits .
This celebration is_ for anyone who has
attended or graduated from Fresno State,
or for friends of people from CSU, Fresno.
If yo.u are interested in attending the meetings or being part of the Chicano Commencement Committee please contact
· Manuel Olgin .at 294-3052.
,
' Olgin announced that applications for
the Chicano Commencement Committee
celebration are now available at the
Learning Assistance Center.
"The committee is in desperate need of
funds to hold this event," said Olgin. He
wishes to invite interested individuals to
become tnembers of the Chicano Alumni
Associaton and also urges the cooperation and involvement of anyone interested
to join and participate on a f\Umber of
act1V1ties and fund raisers which wil be
held in the near future.
Outreach
By Peter Tapia
Contributing Writer
The Graduate Outreach was developed
through a cooperative effort by the Division of Graduate Studies and Resec:trch,
and the Office of the Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs and Special projects fun~ed through its activities
during the Fall semester of 1982.
The uniqueness of this effort is that it is
staffed and maintained by two graduate
students - Peer Recruiters. Many other
universities employ full-time recruiters, or
use faculty / staff part-time . Graduate students are able to use the experiences that
they have gained and apply them to
advise and counsel potential students .The
use of student assistants permits the
Graduate Outreach effort to be staffed on
a "full-time" basis; each recruiter works
twenty hours a week. The recruiters' position provides an opportunity for financing their education. while gaining valua.ble experience working for the university.
The Graduate Outreach office has hired
students from the graduate program of'
Mass Communication . Coun eling, Spanish, International Relations , and Education. The Peer Recruiters are Robert Castorena and Lynda Robin son . under the
supervision of the Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies and Research. Dr. Uavid
A. Ross.
The Graduate Outreach Service exists
to increase and diversify the enrollment of
minority students in the unversity's fortytwo graduate programs. The specific student population that have been identified
for this service are Native Americans.
Blacks, Chicanos, and Hispanics. although
any student who inquires about graduate
studies may receive advising, counseling,
and other information. The Peer Recru- .
iters have met with several representatives
of Student Support Services, as well as
graduate faculty, advisors, coordinators,
. and chairpersons in order to develop
activities to encourage the potential postbaccalaureate application to matriculate
at the University . The recruiters look forward to th'e development of additional •
activities, and welcome inquiries from
interested parties, from both on and offcampus offices, departments and organizations.
The Graduate Outreach Servic~ works
toward augmenting minority enrollment
at the graduate level so that parity with
both undergraduate enrollment and the
university's service area may be attained
To this end, the program provides answers,
referrals, and services to prospective
· applicants regarding graduate studies.
Robert Castorena has served as a Peer
Recruiter since the Spring of 1985. He was
awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics from California State University. Fresno in 1982. Robert is a graduate
student in the Political Science DeparEment. Robert's extensive work experience
with minority students is an important
asset to the Graduate Outreach Service.
Prior to becoming a Graduate Recruiter,
he worked wjrh the Educational Opportunity· Program as a Student Outreach
Worker / Recruiter, and the Political Science Department as an administrative research assistant. His work, since 1980. with
See outreach page 4
-~
...
Contributing photo by Tony Olmos
By Maria Esther Garcia
Staff Writer
.
~
Labor leader Cesar Chavez and 100
grape workers from Delano and other San
Joaquin valley farm workers protested health
threats that they and their children face _
rom dangerous pesticides used on area
vineyards ori February 5, at the Center
Plaza Holiday Inn while the
California Table Grape Commission awarded scholarships to students from the Fresno
area.
Picketers waived black flags with a
white skull and crossbones. One of the
banners read, "La Desgracia de las Pesticidas," and shouted ••Boycott the Grapes!"
Bobby de la Cruz, Legislative Director
of the United Farm Workers (U.F.W.)
explained that the U. F. W. was not protesting the scholarships that were being issued
by the farmers , rather they were protesting
against the pesticides which the grape
growers are using in the fields.
Dolores Huerta , Vice-President of the
U.F.W. said, ••This isn't the first time
we've gathered to protest, nor is it the last
We will continue to protest until justice is
achieved for the farm laborers."
Cesar Chavez rebellina: for justice
"We are here to protest because the
growers refuse to ban five pesticides
which are causing hundreds and thousands
of deaths and illnesses to farm workers
and-their families, "stated Chavez. He said
••th.e boycott on the grapes will eventually
put pressure on the farmers to stop using
these pesticides. This boycott will expand
througout the valley, California and the
United States."
On January 7, 1986 Chavez unveiled a
new ••wrath of Grapes" campaign which ·
focuses even more directly on the pesticide
peril. The boycott will counter grape
growers' television ads featuring fresh
grapes as a natural snack .
"The Wrath of Grapes" symbolizes the
veto of the field posting bill, the death of
Juan Chabolla, the killing , maiming, and
poisoning of thousands of other farm
workers and their children- through the
wreckless use of deadly poison in
agriculture. It also represents the threats
posed to consumers by pesticide residues
contained in fresh grapes and other
produce.
••we won't stop rebelling qntil there is
justice," state_d Chave,..z.
Page4
LOPEZ
officers created the controntation,~• said
Quintana.
.
A few· days after the Lopez shooting.
Clovis police received a phone call about a
man firing a riffle. A call was made to the
Fresno Tactile squad and they quickly
responded. They surrounded the residence.
After three hours of persuasion, police
convinced the suspect to surrender.
Ray Williams, a felony fugitive from
the law, considered armed was also
apprehended by police in Clovis. Tear gas
was used again, and he was not shot.
These are two of many examples that
convince Quintana that there is a discrimination problem in our justice system.
Unfortunately the Lopez shooting was
not the first of its kind . On January I,
1985, Raul Rangel Jr., 18 years old, was
also shot by the Fresno police. Rangel like
Lopez held an unioa.ucd gun. According .
to Quintana, .. there are certain similarities
between these two particular shootings
Rangel and Lopez were cous1ns. They
both came from poor backgrounds, and
both received bias coverage by the Fresno
Bee." However, Quintana states that their
biggest similarity and crime was that "they
were both high school drop-outs, and victims of the system."
On February 4, 1986, M.A.P.A. held a
demonstration at City Hall in order to
raise support from the community regarding the Lopez shooting. Quintana said
that the demonstration was "only the
beginning': He feels that a whole scale plan
of action is necessary from the police.
According to Quintana .. the entire justice
system has to be reviewed. We want some
changes and results if possible before your
brother becomes number three in the
series."
OUTREACH
Contact-Fresno as a voiunteer counselor
provides a valuable background experience
us.eful.to his prese°'tjob with the Graduate
Outreach Service. .
,
According to Robert Castorena theGraduate Outreach Service helps contribute toward the advancement of minorities
and women, but as in all programs there is
always room for more improvement. Cas-
Editor-Maria Belen Rodriquez
Co-editor, -Frank Aviles
Staff Writers:
Marcela Angeles, Martha Camacho,
Lourdes Espinosa, Sara Laris,
Margaret Sandoval
torena explained that the "Graduate Outreach Service (GOS) is a tip of the iceburg
of what can be done to encourage minorities and women to continue to graduate
school. The more that the campus administration, faculty, student and community, realize that there is a need to encourage and support the idea of promoting
graduate school for underrepresented so
that progress will be made." For further
information about graduate studies please
contact Robert Castorena or Lynda
Robinson at 294-2448 or the Thomas
Administration Building Room 132.
Production- Ted Romero
Photographer-Lawrence T over
La V01. de Aztlan is a special publication of The Daily
Collegian and as such is a member of the California
Intercollegiate Press Association .
The opinions published on this page are not necessarily
those of La Voz de Aztlan or its staff. Editorials are
unsigned and are the opinion of the paper\ editor.
Pancho and Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
You can tell my problem right away, probably. I need writing
help. So many good writers are in my English 1 class and I am
embarressed. I didn't turn my first paper and now I am flunking
this class. I want to write good . I have to write good if I want to
be a graduate of college. I am ready to work hard but I do not
know what to do.
Sincerely
Essay less
•I'
Dear Essayless,
Dear Essayless,
You shouldn't feel embarrassed. You 're not the only student
with a writing problem. The first thing that you might want to do
is visit the Learning Assistance Center. You might also want to
talk to your professor about it. He will probably be able to give
you some out of class exercises that will help improve your
writing skills.
Take advantage of the tutorial services that are available to
you on campus. Use the tutorial services offered by EOP
(located in the Joyal Administration building on the second
floor), the Learning Assistance Center, and the English writing
lab which is worth one unit of credit. Not turning in your
homework will only make things worse. You should find out if
you can make up past assignments.
You should not compare yourself to others, but rather try to
concentrate on doing your best in the class.
Sincerely,
~
Pancho
Sympathetically yours,
Juanita
Dear Pancho and Juanita,
Dear Uncommitted,
I have a very nice boy friend and his name is Jose. He buys me
flQwers,takes me out to eat, and buys me a lot of gifts. There's
one problem, I am not ready to commit myself to one person.
I'm a college student and I don't want a boyfriend to interfere
with my·-studies, but then again I don't want to lose him. What
should I do?
It would be very unfair to Jose if you didn't let him know how
you felt about him. Who knows? He might even feel the same
about you.
·
Sincerely,
Simply,
Pancho and Juanita
Uncommitted.
Please write to Pancho and Juanita if you have any questions,
problems or comments.
Send your letters to: La Voz de Aztlan, Keatz Campus. Pancho
and Juanita will respond to your letter as soon as possible.