Belles welcome Hispanic students
By NICOLE HADDAD
News Writer
Friday afternoons mark a celebration like "Cinco de Mayo" in Manuela Hernandez's Le Mans Hall dorm room each week. With her Latino music blaring, Hernandez usually relaxes, relieved to have finished another week of classes.
During her time at Saint Mary's, the meaning of being a Latina student has changed significantly. The number of Latinas has increased, and the College has been recognized for efforts to accommodate these students.
The Hispanic Outlook, a publication dedicated to exploring issues related to Hispanics in higher education, recently listed Saint Mary's College in its 4th annual "Publisher's Picks" issue as a college offering outstanding opportunities for Hispanic students. Selections were based on factors such as financial aid, scholarships and representation of Hispanics in faculty and administration.
"Saint Mary's College offers many opportunities for our Latina students to become involved and grow," said Maria Oropeza, director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. "Our financial aid here is very strong, which enables students to look at us seriously as a choice for them."
The progressive financial aid programs at Saint Mary's contribute to the inclusion of many minorities, and Latinas are the group most represented on campus.
Recent studies performed by the Educational Testing Service and Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities show that Hispanics, more than any other single group, believe a college education is important for everyone. The curriculum at Saint Mary's has evolved to reflect a more diverse population, and now includes courses on Chicano literature, Latin American politics and international business.
"Our Chicana lit class discusses the struggles of being a Chicana woman," said junior Mariecruz Segura. "Students become close because we feel we can relate to one another. We tell stories, going further than the text, and by opening up and finding examples, we become a very personal class."
For some students, it is important to feel part of a larger community before they can learn. Such a feeling is especially difficult to achieve when they are in the minority and miles from home.
"When you leave home, you leave behind your support — your family," Hernandez said. "In college my friends became my family and support, since sometimes only other Latinas can understand what you feel and see around you. It is only understandable that you look for a network of support similar to your own family."
However, like many other Latina students, adjusting to college life at Saint Mary's was no easy task.
"Because I didn't have any of my family or friends here, I would get more homesick because I would keep going home. I felt alone," said sophomore Jessica Delgado. "Saint Mary's offers me the college experience I've always dreamed about — but it was not handed to me on a silver platter. I had to go out and look for it."
Joining La Fuerza and other campus organizations, allowed her to prove her strength and courage, Delgado said.
Opportunities for minority students to feel more a part of the Saint Mary's community include a special orientation meeting for international students, specific ethnic clubs and the wide range of leadership opportunities.
"At Saint Mary's, we have really worked toward giving our students the best opportunities we can. If they make the effort to reach out, someone will be there to hold their hand," said Oropeza.
"This college has done an excellent job of making me feel like Saint Mary's is my home away from home," said Delgado. "My second semester I became more involved with [the Hispanic student organization] La Fuerza and then I started becoming better friends with the Latinas on campus. I started going to Spanish Mass, participating in more multicultural events and beginning to feel more at home."
Delgado said she is glad to see a significant expansion of Multicultural Affairs.
"Saint Mary's now offers more opportunities such as bilingual Masses," said Delgado. "They are also making an effort to reach the needs of students of diversity. The Diversity Board is one of the big things Saint Mary's will hold on to."
While students have noticed these progressive changes, some said they did not agree with the validity of the magazine ranking.
"I was very surprised," said senior Rocio Rodriguez. "I can't say they've made a lot of progress. I've seen changes in the expansion of Multicultural Affairs, but I do not agree that Saint Mary's has an outstanding representation of faculty and administration. I don't know of any Hispanic professors except in the language department. However, with the increase in Hispanic students, I can see the dedication from faculty. They are more open to what they need to do to get more students."
Hernandez said she hopes that there will be even more diversity at the College in the future, including a more diverse faculty.
"I hope in 10 years when I return to visit Saint Mary's, I will see more diversity in all aspects of the college, including the glass case that holds the photographs of the Board of Trustees," Hernandez said.
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 22, 2000
