Alcala Yearbook 2004

M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano y Chicana de Atzlan) was created in April 1969 at a conference held by students and community members in Santa Barbara, California. Its goa ls were to help Chicano / Latino students ga in access to higher educa– tion and reform educational institutions that were non-inclusive. The conference estab– lished El Plan de Santa Barbara, which stated M.E.Ch.A.'s purpose for promoting cu ltura l renewal and self identity, a program to insti– tute Chicano Studies advocating a better future through education and applying their experiences and knowledge to improve the Chicano / Latino commu nity. During the past five years, USD has undergone significant changes. Students lobbied for a multicultural center known as the United Front and an Ethnic Studies ma– jor. There is still more to be accomp lished in order to create a more diverse environment and curriculum, and with organizations such as M.E.Ch.A., the USO community will ben– efit from learning through different experi– ences.

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