Two course on the history of Mexican-Americans may arrive next spring

MAX SULLIVAN News Editor msullivan.roundupnews@gmail.com

The demands of students for more Chicano Studies courses to be taught on campus are making progress. Chicano Studies 7 and 8 are on track to be reinstated to Pierce College after being approved May 3 to be sent to the Board of Trustees, and then onto the state chancellor, according to Kathy Oborn, the department chair of Political Science, Economics, Criminal Justice and Chicano Studies.

The two core courses cover the history of Mexican Americans in the United States. Oborn said she hopes the classes will be available to students beginning in the spring of 2017.

Latinos constitute 44 percent of the students on campus and because there is currently three sections of Chicano Studies at Pierce, many of them attend other colleges in the district to learn about their history, according to Chicano Studies Professor Angelita Rovero.

Oborn said Chicano Studies was approved for a viability study earlier in the semester and it is likely that will take place in the fall.

“The viability study is to determine whether or not an AA degree in Chicano Studies is needed, desired or in demand,” Oborn said.

If Chicano Studies passes the viability study, the coursework will be evaluated to see what classes need to be added to make the program more educationally robust. Once that happens it will be towards dance has kept her at Pierce.

“Sometimes performing arts students at Pierce need to spend extra years studying with us, in order to gain the necessary skills to audition competitively for four year dance departments,” Adjunct Instructor of Theatre, Bonnie Lavin-Hughes, said.

Luque’s very first class at Pierce was Ballet with Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education, Hojo Hiroko.

“It was a joy to have a student like her [Sandy] who is diligently working towards her goal and achievement. She really showed a lot of progress when she was in my class,” Hiroko said.

The dance department has been preparing for the Vignettes Performance since early February.

Pierce College Dance defines Vignettes as a collection of memories that will be shown in 16 different performances.

“Everything that we do will be based on our experience as human beings through dance,” Luque said.

Luque will be performing a tribute that she has choreographed in memory of her late brother for the Vignettes Concert.

“I've always wanted to choreograph a dance to the song ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, and now I had the chance to do so,” Luque said. “That was my brother’s favorite song. I didn't want to choreograph something depressing. I choreographed what he was about -- a very happy person.”

The tribute that Luque has put together is contemporary ballet, a type of of dance that incorporates classical ballet and modern dance.

Luque has choreographed a duet for the Vignettes as well.

“Sandy is one of those rare

There was a plan for “America’s College Promise” in 2015 by President Barack Obama to spend $60 billion community for colleges to cover two years worth of tuition. However, Congress did not pass the bill.

The funding for a year of free community college will be raised with the help of LAUSD.

“Ensuring that community college is affordable and available to our city's students is a critical priority for Mayor Garcetti's administration. As young Angelinos prepare to take part in the 21st century economy, it is crucial that they have access to continuing education after they graduate from high school,” Connie Llanos, Garcetti’s Press Secretary, wrote.

During his State of the City address Garcetti also announced that the initial cost will be $3 million and the LAUSD will help with the funding half of it, according to The Los Angeles Times.

“With the collaboration of LAUSD and LACCD, we can make this vision a reality. By beginning an active fundraising effort with philanthropic partners, and matched contributions from LACCD, we can ensure that all hardworking LAUSD graduates will receive one free year of community college,” Llanos added.

Steven Zimmer, Board President of LAUSD’s District 4, was pleased about Garcetti’s decision. According to Zimmer, this is a “burden” that could be taken away from a lot of LAUSD students.

“During my many years working as a counselor, I saw my students struggle mightily to balance the cost of college fees with the basic survival needs of their family, all too often, dreams of a college degree fell victim to the immediate economic necessities,” Zimmer wrote in an email.

However, the free community college for thousands of LAUSD graduates will not affect the tuition fee for non-LAUSD graduates and non-residents.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com] sent to the district, followed by the state for approval to become a degree program, which is the eventual goal, according to Oborn.