INSIDE
Pass Go, Collect $200 and enjoy the city of Kingsville.... Page 9
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
The South Texan
Volume 93, Issue 4
thesouthtexan.com
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Tough Fight for Civil Rights 1960s A&I was not welcoming to Chicano students ILIANA FLORES Campus Editor When walking around Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), it can be difficult to imagine a time when Hispanics were discriminated against on campus, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month when their contributions are being recognized. However, this was the reality for minority students on campus for more than 40 years. Like many cities in the southern United States, Kingsville was segregated and the community was controlled by the Anglos. The lack of Hispanic representation in positions of power was reflected in the university, which was known as Texas A&I University at the time. On the Texas A&I campus, Hispanic students were discriminated
against in many ways for decades. For example, they were often placed to live-in dorms on campus with no air condition, they were not allowed to join any Greek organizations on campus, and they were not given equal treatment in school elections for student government. This was all set to change in the mid-1960s when Chicano students began to protest for equal rights. In U.S. history, the 1960s are known as a time of revolution as minorities began to fight for the rights awarded to them in the constitution. At this same time, Hispanic students at Texas A&I were beginning to question the discrimination they were facing at the university. Pulling inspiration from the civil right movements happening nationally, Roberto Villarreal, a political activist in Kleberg County, said in an interview with Nicole Morris that Chicano students of Texas A&I “decided that they would not just accept the situation and took action to change the system.” José Ángel Gutiérrez and Carlos
Chicano History continued on Page 12
First Gens attempt to break the cycle Week long events will offer tips to navigate college DARCY RAMIREZ Editor-in-Chief Parental love is irreplaceable. Parents dote on their children for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it’s for the simpler things like shooting the winning basket in their team’s game, but other times it’s much bigger accomplishments. An astonishing amount of students are the first in their families to go to college at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The recently created First To Go program focuses on guiding and giving intentional support to first-generation students and their families. “While I think that this program helps allay parents’ fears, it has a greater impact on the students in that it
helps them learn how to navigate campus successfully and independently,” said Dr. Shannon Baker, assistant dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. On Oct. 1 to 6, First To Go will commence its accustomed week of activities. Each day will bring something different and beneficial to students as several of the colleges have donated goodies to be given away during the events. The first day will feature a FAFSA filing party, open to all students at the Library, Room 306B from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Following the first day there will also be Financial Aid Bingo, presentations made by the Center For Student Success, the Writing Center and Career Services, a presentation made by Dr. Michael Houf, associate history professor, on how to communicate with professors, and Trips and Tricks for first-generation students presented by Houf during the Parents Workshop given by Student Activities. “We hope that these programs help our first-generation students build relationships with faculty/staff on campus and make sure they are
aware of our resources on campus. We also have a session during our family weekend that will help our parents understand how to support their college student from afar,” said Erin McClure, director of Student Activities. The week’s activities will be organized by the First To Go Ad Hoc Committee in partnership with Student Activities, Center for Student Success, the Alumni department, and many other university organizations who feel that they can personally relate to the stu-
dents. “I think the best part of this program is that myself and several other committee members are first-generation students ourselves so we remember the struggles we faced and we’re able to offer our advice and support. We each consider ourselves successful college graduates and now we have the opportunity to help current students achieve that same goal,” said Emily Morin, communication specialist I.
Photo courtesy studentsuccess.com
First To Go focuses on helping first-generation college students.