*Originally published April 15, 1997*
UW-Madison students protested Monday in front of Bascom Hall to persuade university administration to create a Chicano Studies department, which would expand the existing Chicano studies program.
The protest marked the 23rd anniversary of a similar picket line march which led to the establishment of the program’s creation. Currently, only Afro-American Studies maintains an entire department, while other ethnic studies only have program status, said Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan member Kristela Cervera.
Approximately 100 students marched from Library Mall up Bascom Hill, chanting “Take back Chicano studies.”
Civil Rights Defense Coalition member Greg Maney argued Chancellor David Ward should support the creation of the department if he is truly committed to diversity. Ward recently signed a CRDC proposal to increase minority representation on campus.
“What we’re pushing for is a Chicano studies department,” Maney said. “It’s long overdue. How long do we have to wait for equal representation on campus?”
The march was organized by several student groups including the CRDC, the Asian American Student Union, the Black Student Union, Wunk Sheek, MEChA and La Collectiva.
Many of these student groups have been fighting for more diversity on campus. Cervera argued not having a Chicano Studies department alienates some students and makes it difficult to recruit a diverse student population.
“It’s hypocrisy that the administration prides itself on the diversity of this campus, but they don’t have a department of Chicano Studies nor do they seem to be moving in the direction of funding one,” said Afseneh Moradian of the International Socialist Organization.
“If this university wants to be a leader in learning, they have to be ahead of the game,” said student Jan Saiz, who participated in the march held 23 years ago.
