USC : Students Want Park Renamed for Chavez

A newly formed committee of Latino students at USC has called on the administration to rename a campus park in honor of the late activist Cesar Chavez.

La Raza Political Action Committee, with the support of several other USC student groups and organizations, presented a resolution to USC President Stephen B. Sample last week urging the university to change the name of its E.F. Hutton Park, located between the Annenberg School for Communication and the Norris Theater, to Cesar Chavez Park.

“The university takes pride in its commitment to diversity, but they need to make that a reality,” said Juan C. Whyte, a member of the committee. “The university has a responsibility to the Latino and Chicano community and students, and needs to take us into account.”

Whyte said Chavez was an inspiration to him and many other Latino students. “We live in a society where success is often measured by material achievements, but (Chavez) sacrificed his own comfort to help exploited migrant workers.”

The group also wants to create a mural on campus depicting the contributions of Latinos in Los Angeles and the United States.

James Dennis, vice president for student affairs, said the administration will consider the proposal and consult with students, faculty and alumni before making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, the body that makes decisions regarding the naming of campus facilities and parks.

“We care very much about our students, and we listen very carefully to what they have to say,” Dennis said.

In its freshman class of 1992, USC increased its enrollment of Latino students to about 14%, up from 6% five years earlier. Overall, about 12% of USC’s 28,000 students are Latino, Dennis said. USC recently made more scholarship funds available for those students, he said.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in providing a positive experience for our students,” Dennis said.

But some students feel that more needs to be done to make Latino students feel that they are respected members of the campus community, said Chris Muniz, a member of Trojan Gavel, a campus speakers’ bureau.

“Why is it so hard to find the truth about our culture and our contributions at this university?” Muniz asked. “We need more Latino and Chicano professors, administrators and students, and a curriculum that says we are a people worth studying.”

The university catalogue lists seven courses exploring Mexican-American history, culture and related social issues. El Centro Chicano, a university-sponsored group, offers support services for Mexican-American students.