The Latino Experience : (1990 - 1999)

1990

1991

Three Latinos Unidos Sportsfest participants gather for a photograph at the commemoration banquet. April 17 Gamma Phi Omega became the first Latina sorority founded at Indiana University. The establishment was spear-headed by Veronica Montemayor, Monica Guzman, and Cristina Rodela. The Alpha chapter women pledge sisterhood, academic excellence, community service, and cultural awareness.

1992 The Hispanic MBA Association was created to improve public awareness of the richness of Hispanic culture and to provide a forum to discuss issues faced by Hispanics in the corporate world. In 2002, this group changed its name to the Latin MBA Association. July Carmen Téllez was appointed as the Director of the Latin American Music Center. Autumn The IU Latino Enhancement Committee was created. This student organization was aimed at recruiting and enhancing leadership development for IU Latino students. This group later became the Latino Enhancement Cooperative in 2001.

1993 April Latinos Unidos Sportsfest participants pictured here take time out from the busy schedule of competition. September 29 Alicia Quintano, performer/artist/storyteller, performed. Her presentation was sponsored by: Health and Wellness Education, IUSA, and Panhellenic. The event was co-sponsored by: Department of Residence Life, Poynter Center, Office of Women's Affairs, Briscoe Wellness Center, Latino Affairs, and Latino Unidos. Quintano's performance was an original monologue about body image, self-esteem and eating concerns entitled "Escape from Fosdick." October The Latin American Music Center published the first volume of its newsletter LAMúsiCa.

1994 April Members of the Latinos Unidos squad take time for a photograph during the Sportsfest competition. October 15 Jamie Escalante presented "The man behind the Movie: Stand and Deliver." The event was sponsored by Union Board and the Office of Latino Affairs. 1995 April MEZCLA first entered the Little 500 bike race. The effort was spear-headed by Jerry Gutierrez, Derrick Espadas, and Lillian Casillas. October 17 "Black and Brown Get Down" was presented by Elena Featherston. "Building Alliances in an Age of Divide-and-Conquer: A Dialogue Exploring the Relationships Between African-Americans and Latinos" was presented by Elizabeth Martinez. These events were sponsored by: Gamma Phi Omega, Office of Latino Affairs, Office for Women's Affairs, Office of Afro-American Affairs, School of Business, Department of Political Science, Department of Speech Communication, Commission on Multicultural Understanding, Lilly Foundation Campus Climate Grant, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Office. 1996 April 12-24 The First Annual Midwest Latina/o Student Leadership Conference was held at Indiana University, Bloomington. This conference was founded to celebrate the uniqueness of Latinos in a forum by/for students. The conference was not held again until 2001, when it was known as the Indiana Latina/o Collegiate Leadership Conference. October 3 Poet/Novelist/Essayist Ana Castillo presented "Coming Home" for National Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was sponsored by the Office of Latino Affairs, Sigma Chi Scholars Program, Department of English, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Bloomington Vice Chancellor.

1997 Spring Sigma Lambda Gamma became the second Latina sorority to be founded at Indiana University. The Psi chapter women pledge cultural awareness, morals and ethics, community service, academics, and social interaction. Autumn The Latino Graduate Students Association was created. The first president was David Ortiz. This group works to enhance the experience of graduate students at Indiana University and provide support and a network for the success of its members. October 2 Dr. Carlos Muñoz Jr. gave a lecture entitled "The Hispanic Experience: Myths and realities." Dr. Muñoz is a scholar, activist, and author of "Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement" (Verso Press, 1989), which won the Gustavous Myers book award for outstanding scholarship on a subject of human rights in the Americas. He was also a senior consultant on the PBS television series "Chicano!: History of the Mexican Civil Rights Movement." This lecture took place as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month and was sponsored by the Anthropology Department, the Office of Diversity Programs, the Office of Latino Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor. October 9 Dr. Jose Cuellar, Founder and Director of Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band lectured at I.U. His talk "History of Chicano Music" was part of Hispanic Heritage Month and sponsored by the Anthropology Department, the Office of Diversity Programs, the Office of Latino Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor. 1998 February Latino students first participated in IU Sing, an event held every February to raise money for scholarships for IU students. “Come and Ride the Train with MEZCLA” was spear-headed by Cynthia Fierro and Aida Martinez. Spring In an effort to further their use of Spanish, students including Cynthia Fierro created the club IDIOMA. This group served to increase their use of the Spanish language via practice and also to learn more about the cultural components of the Latino cultures. The Latino Folkore Group was officially recognized as a student group on campus, but it began as an informal organization in the late 70's-early 80's. Under the guidance of various leaders, this organization sought to learn, practice, and perform folk dances from various Latin American countries. Autumn United Students Against 20/20 protested the plan because it failed to address the unique needs of Latino students and the recruitment of Latino faculty and staff. Alberto Torchinsky was appointed Associate Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Hiring and Support. October For Dia de la Raza, the band Alma Azul treated listeners to a wonderful performance at La Casa.

1999 On June 30, 1999, the Office of Latino Affairs officially closes. La Casa, the Latino Cultural Center reopened after a $200,000 renovation project. Improvements included the addition of wheelchair ramps, extra study space, and central air conditioning. David Cordova, responsible for the development of Latinos Unidos, gathered at La Casa during graduation with other previous presidents of the group. From left to right: Kian Karimi, Rob Cespedes, Cynthia Fierro, David Cordova, and Dr. Alberto Torchinsky, previous Dean of Latino Affairs. Fall Michelle Gutierrez (far left) meets with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg along with other students. Michelle represented the Protective Order Project in the meeting which focused on the law school's clinic and pro bono programs.