This weekend, approximately 90 members of Latino students’ families came to campus to experience a taste of college life. The student group Para La Familia sponsored the event.
The families, many of whom speak only Spanish, attended a mock class with Dean of the College Maria Cruz-Saco, a guided tour around the campus, a financial aid workshop, and a panel discussion with Spanish-speaking faculty and staff. The families attended the Latino show “Expresiones” and a meeting with Ajua Campos, a group that educates the University community about Latino cultural and political issues.
“The language barrier is something very difficult to overcome,” said Olga Djakov ’06, who volunteered to help with the program. “It is nice that the school is opening up and getting [Latino families] involved in their children’s college careers and making them feel welcome instead of isolated.”
The weekend included free catered meals and places to stay, including hotel rooms in Middletown.
“One of the great things is that everything is free,” said Joshua Segui ’08, a member of Para La Familia. “The food is free, we pick them up from New Haven, and we give them a place to stay. We want the parents to visit, even if it’s financially difficult [for them to come].”
The families filled out evaluations of the weekend, which Para La Familia hopes will allow them to improve their future programs.
“I love the school,” said Marlene Sebourne P’07. “I am very proud my daughter goes here. It is nice that this year more people came. [Cruz-Saco] explained to us different points, and everyone was giving different opinions.”
Ana Caro P’07 said that she enjoyed the weekend, but wished it was not so close to Homecoming Weekend. Still, she thought the weekend successfully brought the Latino community closer to the University.
“I need both [parents’ weekends],” Caro said. “We need to integrate the Hispanics with the students. We can’t be isolated. We have to feel welcome.”
Ana Ocampo P’07 liked her visit, but was unhappy with Cruz-Saco’s talk, which she said was somewhat patronizing. According to Ocampo, Cruz-Saco suggested that Latina mothers “can’t let go of their children.” Ocampo said she felt that such a generalization thereby perpetuated an untrue stereotype. Ocampo said she was also uncomfortable with what she learned about dormitory life, pointing to the University’s use of resident advisors, rather than trained professionals, to monitor the psychological health of students.
Eight students who wanted to integrate the families of Latino students into University life created Para La Familia last year. The inaugural Latino parents’ weekend drew two families, and an event last spring for Latino pre-frosh and their parents drew eight to ten families according to Erik Gonzalez ’08, a member of the group. At this year’s Latino parents’ weekend, Gonzalez estimated that at least 75 to 90 family members attended.
“The turnout is incredible,” said Director of the Office of Parent Programs Meg Zocco. “What has been interesting is to observe the dynamics of the conversation [in Spanish with Cruz-Saco]—the parents were engaged and interested. There were many questions and really good dialogue. The students are teaching me a lot.”
According to Zocco, the University and Para La Familia are discussing future programs. Together, they hope to improve the University’s relations with Latino students’ families, including potential events hosted by University representatives in New York City.
The funding for the weekend was provided by the WSA, the Office of the Dean of the College, and the Office of Parent Programs.
“With the help of the WSA and Parent Programs, we got everything we needed,” said organizer Jose Marantes ’06. “However, we don’t think it’s the WSA’s responsibility to fund this. In the future, we hope to have it totally funded by the University.”
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