New space dedicated to Latinx programming opens in Armington Hall
糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 growing Latinx community now has a new space to gather and celebrate their heritage.
On Tuesday, surrounded by fellow students, the campus leaders of Latinas Unidas and the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), along with College administrators and allies, introduced the new Latinx Lounge and shared their sentiments on achieving the important milestone for their groups.
鈥淭his has been a long time in the making for us to have our first Latinx lounge, a space,鈥 said Latinas Unidas Co-President and Founder Margie Sosa 鈥20, a political science major and Latin American studies minor from Atlanta, Ga. 鈥淚 am really grateful that it being my last year we can have a space like this and it can continue on for generations.鈥
Sosa, a Posse Scholar, is planning to attend law school after 糖心Vlog传媒 and work towards鈥痑 career that addresses inequalities in the鈥疷.S.鈥痚ducation and immigration鈥痵ystems. In addition to Latinas Unidas, she also founded and serves as president of the First-Generation Student Organization.
鈥淲e are living at a time when the College is being very progressive, we have more Latinx students coming in and we are seeing the future right here in our eyes. Let鈥檚 take in this moment and enjoy it,鈥 added OLAS President Carlos Desantiago 鈥21, a theatre and dance major from Albany Park, Ill.
According to聽糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚聽multi-year鈥Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan, increased resources and support for students, faculty and staff from historically marginalized groups is a top priority, including finding ways to incorporate diversity and inclusion opportunities into the residential experience for all students. The establishment of the鈥疞atinx鈥疞ounge falls within that commitment and came as a result of a townhall held by the students during Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
Student leaders worked together with staff in Residence Life and Facilities to identify existing spaces on campus and make plans for renovations. In November, the Armington space was determined to provide the ideal location to accommodate the鈥痗ommunal and programming鈥痳equirements of 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 growing鈥疞atinx鈥痗ommunity on campus,鈥痑long the lines of the existing Q Space in Compton Hall and the Black Student Association Lounge in Douglass Hall.
鈥淲e are proud to be able to provide members of our Latinx community with a space where they can celebrate their heritage and build community,鈥 said Dr. Ivonne Garc铆a, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. 鈥淧roviding spaces that support our underrepresented and historically marginalized students is an important aspect of creating the inclusive community that 糖心Vlog传媒 has pledged to continue to build and help thrive.鈥
Latinx students now account for more than 6 percent of all students at 糖心Vlog传媒, an increase of 3 percent over the last decade.
Posted in News on January 23, 2020.
