El Centro Chicano fosters a community of critically thinking, socially conscious Chicana/o and Latina/o leaders: providing personal, social and academic support through graduation and beyond. In addition, it strives to educate the campus about Latina/o issues and the ethnic diversity represented within the community (i.e. Central & South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico & Puerto Rico). El Centro also offers student advocacy, personal support, assistance for Latina/o student groups, and transitional/beyond USC programming. El Centro programs and services also consider gender, class, religion/spirituality, bi/monolingual, continuing generations, sexual orientation, disabilities, and multi-racial/ethnic identities, among other factors.
Latino Resource Handbook
The Latino Resource Handbook is printed every summer and is distributed to students during the Black and Latino New Student Welcome and throughout the year. The handbook contains information about El Centro programs, events, Latino student organizations, Latino faculty/staff, scholarship information, and local Los Angeles Latino landmarks and restaurants. The handbook is a great resource guide for all new students. You can also access the handbook online at: (http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/elcentro/index.htm).
Weekly E-newsletter
The El Centro Chicano E-newsletter is a weekly online publication containing information on El Centro Chicano programs, upcoming campus events, scholarships, internship/employment opportunities and other relevant news affecting the Latino community. The e-newsletter is a great way to stay informed and connected to El Centro Chicano and all its programming. (https://sait.usc.edu/elcentro/enewsletter.asp)
Unity Through Community: Black and Latino New Student Symposium
In conjunction with the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), this event welcomes new Black and Latino students to meet current student leaders, and attend workshops on how to continue one’s success from HS to USC. Freshmen, transfers, and re-entry students are invited to attend on Sunday, August 23, 2009.
Latino Parent Association (LPA)
Founded in 1982, the Latino Parent Association is an organization that serves as a resource for parents and students by addressing issues affecting Latino families and advocating involvement in parent-student issues. Each year the LPA hosts the “Menudo/Tamal Bowl,” a fundraiser during USC’s homecoming football game. Profits from the “Menudo/Tamal Bowl” support student activities. The monthly meetings include discussions and presentations about opportunities and additional resources throughout the university. Parents are also encouraged to come to the Latino Family Tailgate, part of USC’s Trojan Family Weekend taking place on Friday, October 23-25, 2009. This is a great opportunity for new USC parents and families to attend a USC football game and get a taste of what the Trojan Spirit is all about! Buy your football tickets ahead of time!
Class Reunions (One Stop Shop)
This program focuses on students’ class status, i.e. Freshmen-Senior, Transfer, etc. Each class would be offered a One Stop Shop Panel fall semester, which would specifically address what those student’s academic and personal needs are. A panel assembled by the needs of each specific class consists of departments/offices, faculty, alumni and upperclassmen. This program also encourages networking and helps establish a supportive class identity. During spring semester, one class reunion called the Latino Trojan Family reunion will occur where all classes, including graduate students are invited to attend. The event consists of a Latino Floors (residential theme program) reunion, followed by an alumni and graduate student panel discussing life after USC and graduate opportunities, and finally ending with a network mixer.
Project ReMix: Exploring the Mixed Race Generation
Project ReMiX is a monthly, interactive discussion series aimed to explore issues facing the mixed race generation- a growing population in the U.S. and especially at USC. Aside from a student group known as HapaSC, a structured environment for multiracial students or students interested in learning about the mixed race community was practically nonexistent on campus. Between Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS), Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), and El Centro Chicano (ECC), we also wanted to provide a new program to attract students who might not otherwise seek out our specific cultural centers. Last year’s Project ReMix was excitingly received and we expect another great year!
Latino Floors: La Luna y El Sol
Created in 1974-75, the Latino Floors residential program is an opportunity offered to first year students looking to connect with other students with similar interests and/or cultural backgrounds. The goal of the Latino floors is to create and promote a positive, supportive atmosphere that eases the transition of freshmen Latino students into USC life and empowers them to become prominent campus leaders. Also, the floors are open to all students interested in learning more about the Chicano/Latino culture. The Latino Floors provide extensive community service, cultural, academic and social activities throughout the year. Last year, we launched the very successful Latino Floors Seminar; these are a series of dialogues and discussions during fall semester about various issues, topics and resources pertinent to the retention of first year students. The two Latino Floors house 64 residents and four resident advisors– experienced upperclassmen trained to cater to the needs of first-year students who plan programs and activities during the academic year. For more information: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/elcentro/programs_latino_floors.htm
Latino Honor Society (LHS)
The Latino Honor Society was established at USC in 1997 in direct response to the need of a program that recognized the academic achievements of Latino students as well as their dedication to the community. LHS promotes academic scholarship and commitment to community service, especially within the Latino community. Applicants must have completed two semesters at USC, maintained a 3.5 GPA or above and demonstrated community and university involvement. Members are inducted every spring semester. LHS Members must exemplify excellence in scholarship, demonstrate dedication to service and leadership and serve as positive role models within our community.
La Posada: Celebrating Latin American Holiday Traditions
Since December 1999, El Centro Chicano has hosted “La Posada” in collaboration with the Latina/o Student Assembly and LPA. La Posada is one of the many Latin American holiday traditions in which participants symbolically retrace the steps of the Virgin Mary and Joseph on the night that baby Jesus was born. In candlelight procession, a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph lead followers across the campus to three stops and ending in a celebratory dinner. USC students, faculty and staff members are invited to participate in La Posada along with families and local community members. Although tradition calls for La Posada to begin on December 17th, USC celebrates it the first Friday in December, in order to allow students proper study time before finals.
Black and Latino Overnight Experience
Started in spring 2007, the Black and Latino Overnight Experience was created in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, the Black Student Assembly, the Latina/o Student Assembly, the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs and El Centro Chicano. This collaborative effort brought recently admitted Black and Latino freshmen students to USC for a chance to see Trojan Life first hand. Each student was introduced to current USC faculty, staff, and student organizations. They were paired with a current USC student to serve as their host and were provided with dinner, entertainment and accommodations in USC housing.
Chicano/Latino Graduate Celebration
Continuing the tradition since its inception in 1980, the Chicano/Latino Graduate Celebration formerly known as the Chicano/Latino Graduation takes place the night before USC Commencement and it celebrates graduating students’ personal and academic achievements in the spirit and traditions of our beautiful Latino culture. This bilingual celebration is the most anticipated event of the year and is dedicated to all our friends and families. The Chicano/Latino Graduate Celebration is open to all graduating USC students (including undergraduate, graduate/doctoral candidates) completing a degree in the spring, summer of fall term. This special celebration gives graduating students 20 seconds during the ceremony to publicly thank those who have helped them throughout their educational careers.
