Finding Aid for the Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Papers 1993

Processed by Marisol Ramos-Lum, edited by Michael Stone.

Chicano Studies Research Center, UCLA

UCLA

Chicano Studies Research Center Library

144 Haines Hall

Box 951544

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1544

Phone: (310) 206-6052

Fax: (310) 206-1784

URL: http://www.chicano.ucla.edu/

Descriptive Summary

Title: Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1993

Collection number: 1

Creator: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) 1993

Extent: 1.5 linear ft.

Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Chicano Studies Research Center, UCLA

Los Angeles, California 90095-1490

Abstract: This collection consists of flyers, memos, notes, form letters, faxes and photographs that document the events that occurred during the summer of 1993 when six students and one professor began a hunger strike to protest the decision of Chancellor Charles R. Young to close the Chicano Studies Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

**Please note that accents have been eliminated in order to accommodate and facilitate the use of all types of web browsers.

Researchers who would like to indicate errors of fact or omissions in this finding aid can contact the research center at www.chicano.ucla.edu

Physical location: This collection is currently stored off site at UCLA's Southern Regional Library Facility. (SRLF)

Language of Material: Collection materials in English, Spanish

Access

Access is available by appointment for UCLA student and faculty researchers as well as independent researchers. To view the collection or any part of it, please contact the archivist at archivist@chicano.ucla.edu

Publication Rights

For students and faculty researchers of UCLA, all others by permission only. Copyright has not been assigned to the Chicano Studies Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist and/or the Librarian at the Chicano Studies Research Center Library. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Papers, 1, Chicano Studies Research Center, UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles.

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Chicano Studies Research Center by Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) in 2002

Biography

In the spring of 1993, after several attempts from faculty and students at the University of California, Los Angeles to change the standing of the Chicano Studies Program from an interdisciplinary program to a department, Chancellor Charles E. Young announced that the Program would not receive departmental status. The date was April 28th, 1993, the eve of Cesar Chavez's funeral.

This decision ignited the passion and activism of many students and set in motion a sit-in demonstration by the Conscious Students of Color over the welfare of the Chicano Studies Library, budget cuts, and the Chicana/o Studies Program and other Ethnic Programs at UCLA. Around 200 hundreds students walked across the Westwood campus to the Faculty Center on campus to protest the Chancellor's decision. The protest turned violent after Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and University of California Police Department (UCPD) officers appeared in riot gear at the Faculty Center. As a result 99 students were arrested and UCLA pressed charges against the students for vandalizing the premises.

These actions set off rallies and demonstrations on the part of a variety of student groups such as MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan), Latin American Student Alliance (LASA), Students for Revolutionary Action, community groups, (i.e. United Community Labor Alliance,) and brought together thousands of people to demand changes at UCLA.

The most dramatic demonstration and the focus of this archival collection was the 1993 Hunger Strike. Eight students and one UCLA professor decided to protest what they considered an injustice on the part of UCLA Administration, represented by Chancellor Charles R. Young, through a fast to emphasize their demands. The hunger strikers were: Juan Arturo Diaz Lopez, Marcos Aguilar, Balvina Collazo, Maria M. Lara, Arturo Paztel Mireles Resendi, Cindi Montanez, Joaquin Manual Ochoa and Professor Jorge R. Mancillas.

The hunger strike attracted the support and attention of many recognized members of the community including State Senators Tom Hayden, Art Torres, State Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard and Xavier Becerra, City Assembly woman Hilda L. Solis; Mothers of East L.A. and many others. This event galvanized the community at large and resulted in one of the largest student and community mobilizations in the history of UCLA.

At the end of the hunger strike a compromise was achieved between the hunger strikers and the UCLA administration. As a result, the Cesar Chavez Center for Interdisciplinary Instruction in Chicana & Chicano Studies was created.

Sources: Cesar Chavez Center website at http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/YPC/conference/90sBackground.htm

Rhoads, Robert A. Immigrants in Our Own Land: The Chicano Studies Movement at UCLA. In Freedom's Web: Student Activism in an Age of Cultural Diversity pp. 61-94. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1998.

Scope and Content

This collection of flyers, memos, notes, form letters, faxes and photographs and documents of the events that occurred during the summer of 1993, where six students and one professor went on a hunger strike to protest the decision of Chancellor Charles R. Young to close the Chicano Studies Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

**Please note that accents have been eliminated inorder to accomodate and facilitate the use of all types of web browsers.

Researchers who would like to indicate errors of fact or omissions in this finding aid can contact the archivist at archivist@chicano.ucla.edu

The collection is organized into the following series:

Series 1. Correspondence / Form letters
Series 2. Memos
Series 3. Notes
Series 4. Flyers
Series 5. Faxes
Series 5. Photographs
Series 6. Petitions
Series 7. Photographs
Series 8. News releases
Series 9. Miscellaneous papers
Series 10. Clippings

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Chancellor Charles R. Young

Chicano Studies UCLA

Hunger Strike

UCLA 1993

Container List

Series 1. Correspondence / Form letters

Box 1, Folder 7

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 8

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 9

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 10

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 11

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 12

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 13

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 14

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed letters supporting the hunger strike.

Box 1, Folder 15

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Community Public Relations packages May - June 1993

Physical Description: Printed materials

Scope and Content Note

Flyers, photocopies, clippings in support of the hunger strikers.

Box 1, Folder 16

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Cesar Chavez Center Creation June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Corrspondence related to the formation of the Cesar Chavez Center for Interdisciplinary Instruction in Chicano and Chicana Studies.

Note

May be missing pages.

Box 2, Folder 1

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 2

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 3

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 4

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 5

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 8

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Cesar Chavez Materials June - August 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence and materials related to the form and formation of the Cesar Chavez Center.

Box 2, Folder 9

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Letters of Support May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence from the Nation of Islam, Jesse Jackson, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, et al. in support of the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 10

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Rally Organization Notes May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence, faxes memos, etc. infroming people of upcoming rallies and asking for support and assistance.

Box 2, Folder 17

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed memo style form letters addressed to Chancellor Young.

Box 2, Folder 17

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed memo style form letters addressed to Chancellor Young.

Box 2, Folder 18

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed memo style form letters addressed to Chancellor Young.

Box 2, Folder 19

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed memo style form letters addressed to Chancellor Young.

Box 3, Folder 1

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 2

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 3

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 4

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 5

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 6

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 7

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 8

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Box 3, Folder 9

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Form Letters of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Signed form letters addressed to Chancellor Young outlining the signer's support for the hunger strikers and the formation of a Chicana / Chicano studies department.

Series 2. Memos

Box 2, Folder 13

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Solidarity March Route June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Memos to the LAPD Special Event Unit in preparation for the 2 June 1993 March.

Series 3. Notes

Box 3, Folder 11

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Cesar Chavez Center Proposal Papers Jan. - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Two packages of photocopied papers outlining the logistics of creating the Cesar Chavez Center.

Series 4. Flyers

Box 1, Folder 3

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Leaflets May 1993

Physical Description: Printed materials

Scope and Content Note

Leaflets and flyers to promote rallies in suport of the hunger striker's demands.

Box 3, Folder 10

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Rally Flyers and Handbills June - July 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Flyers and handbills from different student and community organizations showing support for the hunger strikers.

Series 5. Faxes

Box 1, Folder 1

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Faxes Inviting Support for the Hunger Strike May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Fax cover letters sent to politicians in California by students involved in organizing the hunger strike.

Box 2, Folder 7

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Lists of Volunteers and Rally Notes May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Sign-up sheets and faxes rallying support for the hunger striker's demands.

Box 2, Folder 14

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Legislative Support Letters May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Original faxes and photocopies of faxes from legislators requesting support for the hunger striker's demands.

Box 2, Folder 15

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Faxes May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Faxes in support of the hunger strikers from Jesse Jackson, the National Rainbow Coalition and the Chicana Service Action Center.

Series 5. Photographs

Box 2, Folder 16

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Loyola March to UCLA n.d. [June 1993]

Physical Description: Photos

Scope and Content Note

Eight photos of the march from Loyola to UCLA, unidentified.

Series 6. Petitions

Box 1, Folder 2

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Signatures of Support June 1993

Physical Description: papers

Scope and Content Note

74 pages of original signatures from faculty and students from Benjamin Franklin High School, Highland Park, to Chancellor Charles Young.

Series 8. News releases

Box 1, Folder 4

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

News Releases May - July 1993; broken series

Physical Description: Printed materials

Scope and Content Note

Most written by Claudia Granados reporting the status of the hunger strike and the creation of the Cesar Chavez Center for Interdisciplinary Instruction in Chicana and Chicano Studies.

Box 1, Folder 5

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Media Package May - June broken series

Physical Description: Printed materials

Scope and Content Note

Packages of materials put together to promote the hunger strike including letters of support from Tom Hayden, Pete Wilson, Bill Clinton and the UC Regents, school principals et al.

Series 9. Miscellaneous papers

Box 1, Folder 6

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Media Contact List April 1992

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Lists of media outlets.

Box 2, Folder 6

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Fax Cover Letter Requesting Letters and Calls of Support May 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Cover letters and samples of cover letters.

Box 2, Folder 11

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Media Sign-in Sheet May - June 1993

Physical Description: Papers

Scope and Content Note

Lists of media reporters coming to the May 21 Rally.

Box 2, Folder 12

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Empty Folder

Series 10. Clippings

Box 3, Folder 12

THE 1993 HUNGER STRIKE FOR A CHICANO STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT UCLA:

Newspaper Clippings 1993 - 1994

Physical Description: Clippings and photocopies

Scope and Content Note

Hunger strike clippings from various publications.

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