Latine student week welcome

By Brianna Wallen

News Editor 

With the semester in full swing, it is important for students to learn about academic and cultural resources to help support their academic journey to success.  

For this reason, the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Week of Welcome hosted a n social event on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The event aimed to connect Latine students with various campus organizations and resources, all while enjoying pan dulce and engaging in “ethical chisme.” 

“We wanted to create this event so students can feel connected,” Daisy Torres-Baez, the faculty and staff of Diversity Recruitment and Retention Specialist said. “Through ethical chisme students can share information to make higher education work for them.” 

Students, staff, and faculty were able to engage in ethical “gossip” to become connected with different Latine networks at the university: La Comunidad, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS), Latino and Native American Film Festival (LANAFF), Advancing Latino/a/e/xs at Southern (ALAS), and student group Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS). 

Beyond the academic and social aspects of the event, many students also used the space to discuss serious issues affecting their communities, such as the persistent threat of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and deportation.  

Sociology major Yasieli Perez, a senior, said she feels anxious about the safety of theirher loved ones.  

“I do constantly think about them and what if something happens to them and there’s nothing that I can do,” Perez said.  

Perez, who also serves as the pPresident of OLAS, said that she disapproves of the negative portrayal of immigrants in the media.  

 “They paint immigrants as monsters and criminals when that’s not the case at all,” Perez said. “We come here for a better life and to get a better education.” 

 Staff at the university also engaged in the discussion to share their concerns and sympathy for students as well.  

 “What do I do at that point if ICE comes in to try and take a student?” Carlos Torre said, a professor of curriculum and learning at the university.  

Following the meeting on Wednesday, Interim President Dwanye Smith and the Office of Residence Life released a statement, about a notice from CSCU chancellor to establish campus protocol regarding U.S. ICE on campuses in response to recent executive orders.  

 Overall, the statement highlighted that any communication or interaction with ICE should be coordinated through the Office of the President and/or the CSCU General Counsel and students’ status will continue to be confidential. 

“It is important to note that under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, all scholars are entitled to privacy, regardless of immigration status,” Smith said in his statement. 

However, Torre expressed that many students have stated their concerns about the current climate, expressing anxiety about being on campus to pursue an education.  

 “Students are leaving and unenrolling from classes,” Torre said. “Energy wise we are depleted from these scare tactics.”  

 Public health major Chekeenah Jeudi, a junior, also said that she has emotional ties to immigration policies. 

Jeudi, who is also the president of SISTAS, Sisters In School Together Achieving Success, said that she is worried about her family members from Haiti who were able to leave their home under temporary protective status (TPS) due to gang violence.  

 Despite her worries, Jeudi said that she is thankful to be able to express her concerns and relate to a community outside of her own.  

 “I’m grateful that we’re having these spaces to talk about these things,” Jeudi said.  

 The event provided a platform for these discussions. 

Ultimatey this can help students to not only connect with each other but also seek out resources and solidarity in the face of these challenges. 

 Students and staff were also able to share their own personal thoughts on the issue.

 “I find it ironic because Europeans also came here illegally,” Torre said. “They are on stolen land and put us in reservations and into slavery.” 

 Torre also spoke about the 2024 movement of “Latinos for Trump,” a coalition of Latino supporters for the president.

 “When we have these oppressive structures there will always be people of all types trying to pass and be looked at as one of them,” Torre said. 

 Despite the numerous targets and obstacles facing the Latine and Caribbean community, Torre encourages them to remain resilient and to stand together. 

 “This is the time to organize and get people together,” Torre said. “It’s not the time to be angry or scared. Levantarse, sacúdete de encima y resiste.”