Purdue considers Latino studies major
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 04/19/2007
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The College of Liberal Arts is working to implement a new major that would highlight one of Purdue's minority groups.
During a meeting this month, Provost Sally Mason and the Mosaic Student Advisory Board discussed the possibility of creating a Latino studies program at Purdue.
The implementation of this program is still in the planning stages.
"Our College of Liberal Arts is working on both a Latin American studies program and they are exploring the possibility of an Asian American studies minor," Mason wrote in an e-mail.
Mason believes these cultural studies will be a positive addition to Purdue's curriculum.
Sarah Gomez, president of the Latino Student Union, said the Latino studies program is a major she would have been interested in as a freshman.
"My nationality is Mexican and Puerto Rican," said Gomez, a junior in the School of Management.
"(The major's) definitely not something that's offered at Purdue."
Kimber Nicoletti, president of the Latino Faculty and Staff Association, agrees that Purdue would benefit from a Latino studies program.
"A Latino studies program is important because, as a society, we (seem to have) forgotten their contributions to the development of our country, and continually fail to acknowledge the wonderful things Latinos have done," Nicoletti wrote in an e-mail.
But with all the positive things the program would bring, Nicoletti thinks some may question the program's motives.
"There will be many who ask the question, 'Why is there a need for a Latino studies program,' and others will ask, 'Why can't we have a white studies program?'" she said.
Nicoletti is ready to answer these questions.
"This is not an effort to separate the Latino community from the dominant community, but a way of finding our common grounds in highlighting Latino contributions to this great Purdue community."