EL BOLETIN
Vol. 5 No 1
Fall 1997
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes from the Director
GiraldoRosales
Welcome back one and all to another school year. Hope that your
summer has been fun and full ofgreat adventures;like your travels
around the world, your new summer job, and eveu your stay right
here on campus doing summer researchprojects.
I am pleasedto announce the appointment of Ms Debbie CorsinoMoore as the new Assistant Director of La Casa Cultural Latina.
Ms Corsino-Moore has received both her Bachelors in Speech
Communication and Masters degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.She comes to us front the
Oflice of Minority Student Affairs, where she served as Assistant
Director, Student Support ServicesProgram. Ms Corsino-Moore
will assumemost of the responsibilitiespreviously held by Lupe
Smith who resigned last February, after tbur years of excellent
service, to pursue other interests.Pleasegive Ms Corsino-Moore a
warm welconre.
Special thanks to ProfessorRichard A. Dulka frorn the Department of Foreign Languages at Eastern Illinois University, who so
graciouslydonated,over 700 Spanishand Literature books to La
Casa'sLibrary. "Mil graciasa nuestrocompaneroRicardol"
This year at La Casa Cultural Latina we have a full range calendar
ofevents to kick-offthe school year (see "El Calendario").Beginning with "New Student Week" activities starting August 27th
through September6, ending with a Block Party on Friday and tlre
famous Picnic on Saturday.
'
Our Brown Baq Lecture Serieshas a great new line up of nerv
and continuing Latino faculty that would present to you the nrost
current researchcompleted on Latinos and Latin Americans in the
US and in the Americas. These noon time lecturesoccur every
other Wednesday atLa Casa.Bring your lunch! Refreshrnentsand
chips will be provided.
'
Celebratewith us "Los Gritos". The days of independence
of
Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba liom spain. Grito de Dclorcs on
September 16, Grito de Lares on Septenrber23 and Grito de Yara
on October 10, when we honor our fallen heroes.Don't forget "El
Grito de La Casa," May 16, independencefrom the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
'
Guatenrala.Remember to jot down on your calendarthe "Taste
of Guatemala", the first of the series of cultural tastes from different Latin American countries. A different couutry is featured per
month. If you would like to host a cultural tastedo not hesitateand
call La Casa.Corne experiencethe history, the culture, its people
and sample the diversity in foods. Take horne the recipes,trade
them and collect them.
' Hear both sidesof the issues,get infornted, state your views,
attend the "Politicial Forum Series", where you will hear the latest
on Proposition 187,209, English Only, Bilingual Education,
N.A.F.T.A., and other issuesthat may affect you. Help stamp out
all the "isrns" and become politically correct. Become empowered
by fellow students.The Political Forum is a forum for studentsby
students.
'
Two of our latest and newest seriesthis fall are "Latina 2000"
and "Noches de Poesia" (Poetry Nights). Latina 2000 promises to
bring to you the most current issuesfacing Latina women today.
Issuessuch as Machismo,AIDS, Date Rape, the busrnesswornon
of today, etc. Women for women for men. Get Ready for Fiesta at
Poetry Nights!! Do you like to rap? Do you like to write? Do you
want to learn the simple technologies of poetry reading and writing? Visit our conferenceroonl every lst and 3rd Wednesdayof
the month and meet our very own Latina Poet-Instructor, Carmen
Pursiful,,who will be hosting 'Noches de Poesia."Bring your poems and short stories,come sharethe beautythat is within you.
'
Be on the look out for La Casa'smain event this year'anoches
Trooicales"with a live orchestraas a finale. Noches Tropicalesis
the product and hard work of Ms Eliana Manero who is the instructorfor La Casa Cultural Latina's 'Latin Dance Workshops."
These classesare Free of Charge and opened to the general public.
All are welcome; beginners,intermediates,advanced.
* * * * ,* * * * * * * * :f+'* * *
ABRAZOS PROGRAM
ALMA/PRP
As with all things, change is part of groMh and growth is part of
the challengeswe face each day. In order to assistmany of our
incorningstudentsand embracethem as part of La Casa'sfamily,
ALMA and PRP have been transformed into the Abrazos Progtam. Abrazos is a nrentorship program designed to better assist
the First Year Studentin her/his transitionand adjustmentto the
"college" experience.We have taken the best of both ALMA/PRP
Prograrnsand combined tltose elements in what we hope will be a
stellar mentorshipprogram and experience.First Year Students
are encouragedto sign up as a montee as soolt as they arrive on
campusto be matchedwith a returning student as their lltentor.
I'he focus of thc programwill bc to assistboth tlrc rnentorarrdthc
menteeirr developingbetter acadernicand leadershipskills by
active participationin activities and opportunities that prornises
to be meaningfuland helpful.
Many incentives have been secured to help motivate and encourage our Mentors in their volunteerefforts. We wanted to let our
Mentors know how much they are appreciatedand valued and so
did ntany of the local merchants. Mentors will be eligible for
monthly incentivessuch as leadershipretreats,free dinners,movie
passes,and storediscountswith an end ofthe semestergrand prize.
This year promisesto be an exciting one filled with groMh, challengesand a new attitude!So, corne on aboard and be part of it.
Applications for Abrazos can be picked up at La Casa and returned to Debbie Corsino-Moore.
"Dear Ayudame" WelcomesYour Letters!
Dear Students,
All of you who are new on campus and many of you who are returning have never heard of "Dear Aytrdanre," so today we're going to
explain what this column is all about.
"Dear Ayudame" is a take-off on nationally syndicatedadvice columns like "Dear Abby" or "Ask Ann Landers." Obviously, there
are many differences between "Dear Ayudame" and these more farnouscolurnrrs,but perhapsthe ntost intportantdiffercnceis that
"l)cnr Ayudarnc" is dcsigtrcdlor thc nccdso1-Latirta/ostudcntsattd
the problemsthey may face while at UIUC.
Like "Dear Abby" or "Ask Ann Landers," we will welcome questions you have concerning dilficulties in your romantic relationships.
Also, however, we welcome many other kinds of questions.For exarnple, over the years, topics have included how to balancethe demands from home with the demands frorn school. how to recover
from a setback in one of your courses,how to help a friend who is
grieving the death of a family ntember, and how to act around a
close relativewho has just told the family he is Gay. We welcome
your questionson these and many other topics,accordingto whatever type of issue you Inay find yourself facing-and we are dedicatedto treating your questionswith respect.
When you have a questionyou'd like to ask, simply write to "Dear
Ayudame" in care of La Casa. Your (unopened!)letter will be de'
livered to the four authors of "Dear Ayudame," Cathy Acevedo,
Samira Didos, Alexandra Ramos, and Ralph Trimble, all front the
UIUC Counseling Center. Although we won't reveal your name in
the column, we do ask that you sign your letter and provide your
addressor phone number or E-rnail so we can verify that your letter
is not a prank. Typically, the questionswe choose for the article
will be ones that seem to tap issues otlrer Latino/as are facing too.
However, whether we respondto you through the column or individually, we will do our best to make this a helpful processfor you.
Be sure to keep us in rnind when problemsconte up. Meanwhile,
rvelcorneto carnpus!
Cordialmente,
The Latino "Step"
Is there a step or dance that you just don't seem to be getting? Do you
go to partiesor get togethersand seem to be the only one that's not
dancing?Would you like to learn how to dance, or improve your
dancing skills?
If you answeredyes, to anyone of these questions,then you are more
than welcome to attend the Dance Workshops that are held at La
CasaCultural Latina, every Thursdayand Sundayfrom T:00 to 9:00
p.m., Salsa,Merengue and other Latin American dancesare taught
to beginnersand advancedstudents.
On Saturdaysfrorn l:00 to 3:00 p.rn, Thursday and Sundays from
9:00 to 10:00 prn rehearsalsare held for the "Ritmo y Sabor" troop.
Folkloric dances from Latin America and Spain are held at these
tirnes. Everyone is welcome Anyone who wants to come and watch
or is interestedin joining the dance troop should come to rehearsals.
So, if there is a step which you are struggling with, don't worry;
we'll teach it to you. The Dance Workshops are FREE, the only
thing you need to bring is the motivation to dance.
* * * * ,i +* * * * 'f* t* * * *
Latina/Latino Studies Program
Latina/LatinoStudiesProgram has been approvedand the minor is
up and running.The prograntoflice is locatedat 510 East Chalmers,
Chanrpaign(265 -037O; fax 2444526).
The following coursesare being offered in the Fall of 7997:
LLS 242 - Hispanic Literature in the United States
LLS 269 - Latincs and Latinas Challenging the Anthropological
and Literary Landscape
LLS 275 - History and Development of Latina,{Latino Media
in the United States
POL S 325 - Latino Politics
In the Spring 1998 the following courseswill be offered:
LLS 100 - Introductionto Latino/Latina Studies
LLS 227 - Latinas and Latinos in Contemporary Society
Peoplesin the United States
LLS 259 - Spanish-Speaking
LLS 333 - Foundationsof Bilingual,4vlulticulturalEducation
Also be watching for announcementson the following lecturesand
events sponsoredby Latina/Latino Studies. November 6, 199'7 Ramon Gutierrez frorn the University of California at San Diego will
Soundsof Latin Music
speakon "Gender and Latina,4latinoStudies." Novetnber 18, 1997 Vickie Ruiz, University of Arizona, "Contribution of Latinas to the
W.E.F.T. Comrnunity Radio Station90.1 FM, is where you can still Civil Rights Movement and Labor Strugglesin the United States."
hear the sounds of "La Yoz Latina/The Latin Voice" every SaturdaY Coming December 5 - Arnaldo Roche-Rabel; February 16 - Julia
Alvarez.
from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
If you are interestedin taking airshift training so that you rnay be
part of La Casa'sLatino/a radio teanr, pleasecall Giraldo at 3334950
'i * * * * * * * * * * * | * * | |
April 2-3, 1998 there will be a couferencewith Achy Obejas from
the Chicago Tribune as the Keynote speaker. For more information
call Latina/LatinoStudiesat the above phone number.
,t * * * * * * * * * l ',t,*
* * * *
La Misa Latina
Fr. George Remm, Pastor of St Patricks(San Patricio)holds services every Sunday at 3:00 prn in Spanish. For more information
328-6420.
call Hugh Phillips, El Centro por los Trabajadores,
"Get o good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it's
done, and done right."
IValt Disnel,
C*n**d[*oio
Afl Events are held at La Casa Cultural Latina unless otherwise stated. For more information call 3334950 or tune into
to 5:00 p.m.
"LaYoz Latina",90.l FM on Saturdays,3:00
August
27
pm
2:00-5:00
Ice Cream Social
28
All Day
Abrazos Retreat @ TBA
7:00 pm
Sports Night @ WIMPY
I l:00 am-3:00 pm
Open House
29
Quad Day
September
I
Monday
Labor Day
2
Tuesday
Instruction Begins
3
7:00pnt
Game Night
4
7:00pm
Latino/a RSO Informational
@ Lincoln Hall
5
7:00pm
Latino/a, Afro-American & IUB
Block Party
ll:00 am-5:00pm
Park
La CasaPicnic@ Centennial
10:00-10:00
FiestaLatinoHispana@
Danville'sEllsworthPark
Call 217/7 59-7919 for Inforrnation
10
TBA
Latina 2000
ll
7:00pnr
Dance Workshop
7:00pnt
RSO Meeting
14
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
15
TBA
Political Forum
16
7:00pm
Grito de Dolores
1'l
Noon
BrownBag Series
pm
7:00-10:00
Noche de Poesia
TBA
Latino Greek Council Informational
18
7:00pnr
Dance Workshop
20
TBA
Latino Greek Council Party
21
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
22
pm
7:00-10:00
Taste of Guatamela
23
7:00pm
Grito de Lares
24
TBA
Latina 2000
25
7:00 pnr
Dancc Workshop
26
pm
5:00-6:00
Latin PercussionSession
28
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
29
8:00am
La Casa Latino Breakfast
October
1
Noon
BrownBag Series
pm
7:00-10:00
Noche de Poesia
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
7:00pnr
RSO Meeting
5
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
8
TtsA
Latina 2000
9
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
l0
7:00pm
Grito de Yara
pm
5:00-6:00
Latin PercussionSession
12
7:00prn
Dance Workshop
13
TBA
Political Forum
15
Noon
BrownBag Series
pm
7:00-10:00
Noche de Poesia
16
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
19
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
22
TBA
Latina 2000
23
7:00pnr
Dance Workshop
24
pm
5:00-6:00
Latin PercussionSession
26
7:00pm
Dance Workshop
27
pm
7:00-10:00
Taste of Venezuela
29
Noon
BrownBag Series
30
7:00pnr
Dance Workshop
2
La CasaCultural Latina
1203West Nevada
UrbanaIL 61801
ORGANIIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT75
C].IAMPAIGN,IL