ACELA explores option of Latin American Studies major

If La Asociacion Cultural de Estudiantes Latino Americanos has its way, there will be a Latin American Studies major at the University. According to ACELA president and College senior Elizabeth Gomez, there was interest in the creation of such a major at the last ACELA meeting. ACELA has not yet proposed the idea to the University administration. "The general consensus at the meeting was that this is important for Penn as a whole," she said. There is currently a Latin American Studies minor, which was implemented in 1991 after an unusually strong collective effort among students, faculty and administrators. The minor consists of six courses dealing with aspects of Latin American life, including advanced language, composition and literature courses. But according to Gomez, many students are not satisfied with the minor. "Students are experiencing that courses are too difficult to take because of the lack of professors [which means that] courses aren't offered each semester," she said. And Latin American Living Living-Learning Program Director Gons Nachman agreed. "I think there are not enough Latin American professors at Penn, which has an effect on the Latino students at Penn," he said. He added that the major would bring higher visibility to Latin American culture, which "is definitely under-represented at Penn." "It would also maybe bring in more Latin American students," he added. Gomez said the creation of this major would be about more than Latino education, especially with the University's new plans for a new education initiative for the 21st Century. By the year 2000, Latinos are projected to comprise one quarter of the U.S. population. "This isn't just Latino students," she said. "It effects students of all colors and all majors -- especially Wharton because a lot of the market will be in Latino countries and communities. Therefore, it will be to their advantage to understand the Latino culture." Gomez added that her organization believes that the major would "in itself strengthen the minor." But she emphasized that the idea is still in the planning stages. "We are just trying to get a feel about what students want," she said. Gomez added that there is an open meeting tonight at 9:00 p.m. in the Greenfield Intercultural Center for all students who are interested in discussing such a major. "We are going to get ideas and make decisions about what steps we are going to take in the process," Gomez said. This meeting is a joint effort between ACELA and other Latino organizations on campus, she said. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla said he would have an open mind on the subject. "I would be glad to discuss it with a group of students if they want," he said. And Nachman said he was optimistic about the possible effects of the major. "It's definitely a plus for the Latin American community," he said. "There's no question about it."